In a stunning display of judo mastery, Takanori Nagase of Japan successfully defended his Olympic title from 2021, solidifying his legacy with an impressive fourth Olympic medal. Nagase's collection now includes a gold and silver from 2021, a bronze from 2016, and his latest gold from 2024. His opponent in the final, Tato Grigalashvili of Georgia, was no match for Nagase's strategic prowess and impeccable skill.
Nagase took control of the match from the start, scoring a waza-ari early on and never looked back. He dominated Grigalashvili, scoring a second time to secure his victory and his place in judo history. Reflecting on his journey, Nagase shared, "For three years, I couldn't win and faced immense frustration. But I never gave up. My preparation for Paris 2024 was meticulous, and I stepped onto the tatami with no regrets."
In the bronze medal contests, Belgium's Matthias Casse faced South Korean world medallist Joonhwan Lee, with Lee securing bronze with a skillful de-ashi-barai sweep. Meanwhile, Somon Makhmadbekov of Tajikistan earned his nation's first Olympic judo medal by pinning Italy's Antonio Esposito for ippon.
The semi-finals were a showcase of elite judo. Grigalashvili battled fiercely against Lee, eventually securing his spot in the final with a waza-ari. Nagase's path to the final was marked by a decisive victory over Esposito, highlighted by a beautiful sasae-tsuri-komi-ashi and a flawless ne-waza immobilisation for ippon.
In the repechage, Casse overcame Canada's François Gauthier-Drapeau with a golden score pin, while Makhmadbekov swiftly defeated Sharofiddin Boltaboev with a waza-ari and a quick pin.
The -81kg category at the Olympics delivered breathtaking matches and unforgettable moments, crowned by Nagase's remarkable defense of his title, proving once again why he is a true judo legend.