DPA
Paris
Japanese judoka Uta Abe cried tears of despair after her first defeat in five years at an official event, a shock round of 16 loss by ippon against Uzbekistan’s Diyora Keldiyorova at the Paris Olympics on Sunday.
Keldiyorova decided the contest with just over three minutes remaining in the 52-kilogram event, leaving the four-time world champion and 2021 Olympic champion overcome with emotions.
Abe dropped into the arms of her coach and cried for minutes, almost unable to stay on her feet in the Champ-de-Mars arena.
Abe had not lost an official competition since 2019 and was considered a top gold medal contender in Paris.
Three years ago she and her brother, Hifumi Abe in the 66kg class, had both won gold at the Tokyo home games within half a hour.
Hifumi Abe celebrated a second consecutive gold in the men’s 66kg class in Paris, while Diyora Keldiyorova of Uzbekistan won the women’s 52kg.
"Amazing feeling. First time in Uzbekistan, a gold medal and then from a woman. It’s an amazing feeling. I’m so happy,” Keldiyorova said.