French judoka Clarisse Agbegnenou, the reigning champion in the women’s judo -63kg class, faced a surprising defeat in the semifinals at the Tokyo Olympics. Agbegnenou, who was aiming to defend her title and secure a gold medal at her home Olympics, was outmaneuvered by Slovenia’s Andreja Leski in a tense match.
Leski's decisive waza-ari scored with just 15 seconds remaining in the match turned the tables, leaving Agbegnenou with the task of competing for a bronze medal. The unexpected turn of events sets the stage for an intense battle for the podium spots.
Agbegnenou will now go head-to-head against Austria’s Lubjana Piovesana in the bronze medal match, where both judokas will strive to claim a spot on the podium. Meanwhile, Leski’s impressive performance has earned her a spot in the final, where she will face off against Mexico’s Prisca Awiti Alcaraz in a bid for the gold medal.
The outcome of the semifinals has added an element of unpredictability to the women’s judo -63kg category, showcasing the fierce competition and talent on display at the Olympics. As the competition intensifies, judo enthusiasts around the world eagerly await the final matches to see who will emerge victorious in this thrilling event.
