REIGNING Olympic judo champion Uta Abe was left devastated after being knocked out of the women’s 52kg event.
The 24-year-old suffered a shock defeat to Diyora Keldiyorova of Uzbekistan in the round-of-16, ending her five-year unbeaten streak.
UTA ABE DEHORS
— Le Stade (@le_stade) July 28, 2024
Diyora Keldiyorova élimine l'ouzbèke qui termine en larmes avec des cris effroyables#Judo #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/2OHAF6Awyv
She was undone by an ippon, the highest score achievable in judo, and went on to lose 10-1 at the Champ-de-Mars Arena.
The judo superstar was inconsolable after the loss and broke down in tears next to her coach, who carefully guided her off the mat.
Abe and her older brother, Hifumi, had both hoped to win gold medals together on day two of the Games.
The siblings achieved the incredible feat in Tokyo three years ago, with Abe winning the women’s 52kg event and Hifumi – who will look to retain his title on Sunday afternoon – taking gold in the men’s 66kg.
However, the 2023 women’s world champion was unable to progress past the second round.
Abe was one of the favourites to win the event this summer.
Prior to the opening ceremony, she told Olympics.com: “I want to be invincible in everyone’s eyes.
“Somebody who nobody expects to lose, and is stronger than words can describe.”
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WHAT TO WATCH TODAY...
THE PARIS 2024 Olympics started with a stunning Opening Ceremony – and now the Games really do begin.
SunSport brings you all the action taking place in the French capital on a thrilling first full day.
Adam Peaty will be the headline act for Team GB as he goes for gold in the final of the 100m breaststroke (8.50pm).
A lot of eyes will also be on LeBron James, Stephen Curry and the Team USA men’s basketball team, who start their campaign against Nikola Jokic and Serbia (11.15am ET / 4.15pm BST).
There are not expected to be too many other British medal tilts on Sunday, but the women’s gymnastics team (all day) are going through qualification as are the rowing teams (from 8am).
The both the men’s (vs South Africa, 7.15pm) and women’s hockey teams (vs Spain 12.15pm) are both in action.
American swimming stars Carson Foster and Tori Huske are among a multitude of stars joining Adam Peaty in the pool from around 7pm BST / 2pm ET.
Click here for all the events taking place at Paris 2024 today.
Follow all the action as it unfolds with our Paris 2024 Olympics LIVE blog.
Abe won gold in last year’s World Judo Championship after beating Keldiyorova in the 52kg women’s final.
She has four World Championship titles in total, having dominated the sport for years.
Hifumi is set to go for gold in the men’s event on Sunday afternoon in the men’s 66kg.
