Luukas Saha bowed to the world number one Denis Vieru of Moldova in Olympic judo. The Finn was close to a surprise in overtime.
A disappointed and tired man arrived at the interview point at the Champ du Mars judo arena. Luukas Saha twisted an even match against the number one in the 66 kg world ranking, Moldova Denis Vierua against, but had to bow in overtime 0–1.
– A really tight match. I have always lost to that guy, although every time I have been closer, Saha told Urheilu.
Saha had a place to decide the match in overtime at two and a half minutes in a mat situation, but Vieru managed to spin himself out of the situation. This situation was the most memorable for Saha.
– I started my bravura binding, but my hands were already full of lactic acid. I could feel the stress he was under. With a last-ditch effort, he managed to escape. That’s what hurts the most. Today could have been anything, but Vieru was better again this time.
There was nothing surprising for Saha in the match against a familiar opponent. In overtime, Saha found himself in a difficult situation when he received a second warning. In ‘s commentary, the warning was considered special.
– I had to go after that warning to open the game. I knew it was a risk and he acknowledged. No regrets because something had to be done. The carpet situation is more upsetting when it was already in the glove, Saha said.
Saha didn’t want to be bothered by even a slight warning, even though he said that the warnings could have gone the other way. In judo, a match can be won if the opponent receives three warnings.
– Against the number one in the world ranking, you have to be much more diligent if you want to win with warnings. I knew I had to take the point win. Nothing is possible, Saha said.
– It was a battle of stamina, whose diesel can last longer.
Saha considers the first Olympics of his career to be a great experience.
– I am most proud of the fact that I didn’t take any pressure at all and I got the best out of myself. I haven’t been in such good shape even at the World Championships, where I got bronze. The biggest thing for me is that I was able to compete with full concentration, Saha summarized.