Emilie Andeol realises the double for France at last Olympic Judo day

Emilie Andeol is the first European women’s heavyweight to take the Olympic title. The French surprise defeated 2012 Olympic champion Idalys Ortiz in the golden score of the final. Ortiz could have been the first Cuban judoka ever to win the title twice, but it was the French who captured a premier being the first European since the first official women’s tournament in 1992 in Barcelona. In 1988 in Korea women’s judo was a demonstration sport where Dutch Angelique Seriese won the title.

For France it was the first time to have two Olympic champions in one day as also Teddy Riner won the title in the men’s tournament. She is the twelfth French Olympic champion since the frist in 1980.

Andeol was the surprise of the day, in a pool where everything was possible. The French qualified via victories against Zambotti (MEX) and Cheikh Rouhou (TUN) a relatively easier pool. Andeol’s biggest victory followed in the semi final against World number one and World Champion Yu Song of China. But it wasn’t the last glorious victory. Almost three minutes in the golden score Andeol pinned Ortiz in an osei-komi and could smile herself to the gold.

The bronze was for Yu who bested Korean Kim Min-Jeong in her last bout by ippon. Kanae Yamabe of Japan took the second bronze. She lost to Ortiz in the semi but defeated Kayra Sayit of Turkey for bronze.

Again Europe was the best continent with eight gold medals, even one more than in 2012 when the Japanese judo recession had its impact. Now Japan won three titles, representing all Asian Olympic champion. Pan America also captured three titles by Argentina, Brazil and United States, all in the women’s divisions. In the women’s division there were seven different wining nations, same story in 2012.