Nora Gjakova Faces Defeat in Women's Judo -57 kg Elimination Round

On July 29, 2024, the Women's -57 kg Elimination Round of 32 in judo showcased a thrilling contest between Kosovo's Nora Gjakova and Mongolia's Enkhriilen Lkhagvatogoo at the Champ-de-Mars Arena in Paris.

Gjakova, who previously secured a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, entered the match with high expectations as she was ranked 8th in the world. However, she faced a tough opponent in Lkhagvatogoo, who was ranked 13th and had notable achievements, including a first-place finish at the Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam in 2022.

The match commenced at 10:42 AM local time and concluded around 10:48 AM, after 5 minutes and 17 seconds of intense action. The competition was fierce, with both athletes demonstrating incredible skill and determination. Gjakova, wearing white, weighed in at 56.9 kg, while Lkhagvatogoo, in blue, was slightly lighter at 56.8 kg.

The contest was marked by a series of penalties and strategic plays. At the 4:17 mark, Lkhagvatogoo received a penalty, yet she managed to maintain her composure and continued to dominate the match. Ultimately, Gjakova was unable to secure any points, resulting in a disappointing outcome for the Kosovo athlete, who ended the match with a record of 0 points.

Lkhagvatogoo, on the other hand, secured her victory with 10 points, showcasing her prowess with two successful scores and a decisive win. This match highlighted the unpredictable nature of judo and the high stakes of Olympic competition.

Referee Ofer Ben Zvi officiated the match, which concluded with Lkhagvatogoo progressing to the next round as Gjakova's Olympic journey came to an unexpected end.