Paris 2024 Olympic Games: Defending judo champion Abe Uta of Japan left 'sobbing uncontrollably' after shock early exit
Updated 28/07/2024 at 18:37 GMT+1
Defending Olympic champion Abe Uta was beaten in the second round of the -52kg women's judo class by world No. 1 Diyora Keldiyorova of Uzbekistan. Abe was in tears after the defeat and had to be consoled by one of the Japanese coaches, who then continued to console her as she fell to the floor and cried. Abe's name was chanted by the crowd as she eventually made her way out of the arena.
Inconsolable defending judo champ Abe collapses into arms of coach after loss
Video credit: TNT Sports
There were emotional scenes as defending Olympic champion Abe Uta was left inconsolable following a shock early exit in the judo in Paris.
Abe was beaten in the second round of the women’s -52kg class by world No. 1 Diyora Keldiyorova of Uzbekistan.
With her title defence over, Abe looked distraught and was in tears on the mat.
She was helped off by one of the Japanese coaches, who then continued to console Abe as she fell into his arms and cried.
Eventually a dejected Abe got to her feet and was helped out of the arena as the crowd chanted her name.
“Uta, Uta, Uta,” was the chant as fans clapped and showed their support for Abe, for whom it was a first loss since 2019.
Abe did not speak to the media but Japan’s head coach Masuchi Katsuyuki said the loss will “take time” to get over.
"She was sobbing uncontrollably after stepping off the tatami, and she cried a lot in the athletes' room,” said Masuchi.
“She was very down, so I couldn't say anything to her. All I could do was gently pat her back to console her. It's something that will take time.
"The Olympic Games was something Uta herself had been intensely focussed on since last year. This match made me feel the fear of competition once again. Everyone was expecting Uta to win, but this match taught us how difficult it is to defend a title and achieve back-to-back victories."
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Uta Abe is helped out of the arena after her judo loss
Image credit: Getty Images
Abe had won her previous two contests against Keldiyorova, including in the final of the 2023 World Championships.
She started well in Paris with a waza-ari in the second minute, but Keldiyorova responded with a throw in the final minute to win with an ippon.
"She has been a consistent winner, making her a target of intense analysis by her opponents,” added Masuchi.
“It's tough to maintain that winning streak under such observation."
Abe had been hoping to win another Olympic double with her brother Hifumi.
At Tokyo 2020 they made history by becoming Olympic champions on the same day. But there will not be a repeat in Paris.
Abe’s exit was not the only surprise in the judo on Sunday. Great Britain’s Chelsie Giles was beaten in her opening contest in a ‘golden score’ defeat against Brazil’s Larissa Pimenta.
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