Reigning Olympic champion in the under 52 kilos category, Uta Abe experienced a terrible disappointment in the round of 16 of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, this Sunday, July 28. Beaten by Uzbek Diyora Keldiyorova by ippon, the Japanese could not hide her total distress.
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This will remain as one of the strong images of these JO 2024. A new illustration that sport can definitely provide as much great joy as misfortune. A sign, also, of the pressure that weighs on certain athletes. At the Arena Champ-de-Mars, the Japanese Uta Abe probably had the most difficult day of her career.
Undefeated since 2019, four-time world champion and outgoing Olympic champion in the under 52 kilos, Uta Abe, 24, collapsed in her round of 16 match against Uzbekistan’s Diyora Keldiyorova. While she was leading by waza-ari, Uta Abe was surprised one minute from the end of the fight. Keldiyoroba scored an ippon, causing the boss to fall.
Disbelief then appeared on the Japanese woman’s face. As she was about to leave the tatami, Uta Abe burst into tears and screams. She had to be supported by her coach, who was unable to walk alone, in front of an audience somewhat shocked by this heartbreaking scene.
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