MA Zhenzhao Dominates in Women's -78 kg Judo Elimination Round

On August 1, 2024, at the prestigious Champ-de-Mars Arena in Paris, the Women's -78 kg Elimination Round of 16 was nothing short of electrifying. The match featured two formidable competitors: MA Zhenzhao from China and YOON Hyunji from South Korea.

MA Zhenzhao, ranked 5th in the world, showcased her judo prowess throughout the contest. With a bodyweight of 77.9 kg, she quickly established dominance over her opponent. The encounter commenced at 10:48 AM local time, and MA wasted no time in demonstrating her skill, scoring her first point with a WAZ at 1:11.

As the match progressed, MA continued to apply pressure, leading to a penalty awarded to Yoon at 1:52. The decisive moment came at 2:39, where MA executed a brilliant Sumi-otoshi technique, securing an IPP and concluding the match with a 10-point victory. Her exceptional performance not only advanced her to the quarterfinals but also solidified her status as a top contender for the gold medal.

In contrast, Yoon Hyunji, although a skilled judoka with a notable 5th place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, was unable to match MA's intensity and tactical execution. Yoon, who weighed in at 77.5 kg and held an 18th world ranking, fought valiantly but ultimately succumbed to MA's relentless offense.

The match concluded at 10:54 AM, marking a significant victory for MA Zhenzhao, who is now one step closer to achieving Olympic glory in judo. The referee for this thrilling contest was Balazs Gosztonyi from Hungary, who officiated with precision as the athletes battled fiercely on Mat 2 of the Champ-de-Mars Arena. This elimination round not only highlighted the talent of these two athletes but also set the stage for a captivating judo tournament ahead.