by Sandro Micallef from Paris

Maltese Judoka Katryna Esposito was eliminated by Baasankhuu Bavuudorj from Mongolia in the women’s under 48kg category at the Paris Olympic Games 2024. Esposito started off very well and came out on the Tatami with no fear. Her opponent Bavuudorj found it very difficult in the first two minutes of the match to keep up with the Maltese Judoka.

After 47 seconds, the Mongolian athlete scored a Waza-ari – Kata-guruma and after a minute and a half she received a Shido. At the 35-second mark, Esposito also received a Shido for Grip avoidance, just like Bavuudorj.

With 20 seconds left in the four-minute match, Judoka Baasankhuu Bavuudorj, the World Champion of 2024 and the Asian Champion, scored a Waza-ari – Undetermined nage-waza, securing her victory hence advancing to the final 16. Throughout the match, Esposito’s opponent received two penalties.

Katryna Esposito participated in the under 48kg category where there were 32 eligible Judokas. In this elimination round, only the Italian Judoka passed through as a bye. The repechage system is not used at this level of the Olympics. Esposito was the first Maltese athlete in action at the 2024 Summer Games.