- George Chung
- Jul 26, 2024
- 2 min read
Here are some Judo Facts and Highlights of Paris Olympics 2024
Teens Competing at the Paris Games
At the Paris Olympics, eleven teenagers will be competing, a notable increase from the two teens at the 2020 Tokyo Games.
The youngest participant is Nera Tiebwa of Kiribati, aged 15. Mariama Koroma of Sierra Leone is the second youngest at 17. Other notable teen competitors include Tara Babulfath of Sweden and Ibrahim Tataroglu of Turkiye, both aged 18, along with Gerard Takayawa (FIJ-18), Savita Russo (ITA), Maysa Pardayeva (TKM), Michel Augusto (BRA), Khuslen Otonbayar (MGL), Tais Pina (POR), and Binta Ndiaye (SUI), all aged 19.
The oldest participant is Will Tai Tin of Samoa, aged 39, making him the oldest competitor of this century.
Sibling Sets at the Games
Three sets of siblings will compete in the Olympic judo tournament. Well-known champions Uta and Hifumi Abe, along with Christa and Kelly Deguchi, will participate, with the Deguchi sisters fighting for Canada due to their Canadian father. Kosovan siblings Akil and Nora Gjakova will also compete and carry their country's flag at the opening ceremony.
Youth Olympic Games Champions
Four former Youth Olympic Champions will compete in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. In the -63kg category, three champions will participate: Miku Takaichi (2010, JPN), Szabina Gercsák (2014, HUN), and Szofi Ozbas (2018, HUN). Hifumi Abe (2014, -66kg JPN) remains in his category.
Top Medal Collectors
Teddy Riner, the most decorated judoka, continues to be a major presence. Czech rival Lukas Krpalek has the most World Cup medals (43), followed by Rafaela Silva of Brazil (42). Idalys Ortiz of Cuba has collected 40 medals. Riner holds the most World Cup titles (29) since 2008, when the World Judo Tour began. Mayra Aguiar of Brazil also has significant achievements, including her first major win in Warsaw.
Aguiar and Lasha Shavdatuashvili each have three Olympic medals. Idalys Ortiz and Teddy Riner are the only current participants with four Olympic medals.
Judo Mothers
Six judo mothers will participate in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games: Kim Polling (ITA), Clarisse Agbegnenou (FRA), Jacqueline Solis (GUA), Natasha Ferreira (BRA), Mahboubeh Barbari Zharfi (EOR), and Zeddy Cherotich (KEN).
Missing World Champions
Not all World Champions are participating in the Olympics. Japan, for example, didn't send their number one team despite winning several world titles. Ryoma Tanaka (-66kg) and Goki Tajima (-90kg) are absent, although Tanaka won the world title in Abu Dhabi this year. Margaux Pinot, a world champion, will compete in Paris. Japanese heavyweight Wakaba Tomita also won a world title but will not compete. Overall, 46 world champions or former world champions will compete in Paris.
Near Misses
Portuguese judoka Telma Monteiro narrowly missed qualifying for the Games, holding the record with five Olympic Games alongside Ryoko Tani. Teddy Riner, Idalys Ortiz, and Mayra Aguiar will be present for their fifth Olympics since 2008.
Inspirational Athletes
The Paris Olympics feature many inspiring stories, including athletes who have overcome personal losses and those with unique hobbies like producing or reading anime. Many athletes were inspired by former judokas and global sports icons like Ayrton Senna, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Muhammad Ali, and Roger Federer.
These athletes' stories add depth and emotion to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, showcasing not just their athletic prowess but also their personal journeys and inspirations.
