Yarden Gerdi and Loic Pietri Conquer the Gold in the Half Middleweight Category
The Israeli and French athletes shine on the fourth day of the World Judo Championship of Rio de Janeiro
On the fourth day of competition, the athletes who went to the highest place on the Championship’s podium were the Israeli Yarden Gerdi and the French Loic Pietri. Competing in the half middleweight category (-81 kg for men and -63 kg for women) these judokas overcame their opponents and had their names recorded in the hall of world sports champions. The Brazilians Victor Penalber and Katherine Campos could not overcome the first round of the competition.
The Israeli judoka Yarden Gerdi made a spectacular competition, winning all fights by ippon. In the final against the French Clarisse Agbegnenou , Yarden performed a spectacular choke and won by submission. The Dutch Anicka Van Emden and the French Gevrise Emane won the bronze medals.
\"I had already fought three times in Rio de Janeiro and I was always successful here. Today it was amazing, it was like a dream come true. For the Olympics I hope to fight well and get the gold, but there are still three years left. I feel good here, I love this place. It\'s a special atmosphere, the crowd motivates the athletes. Rio is really a different place,\" added Yarden Gerdi.
In the men\'s final, Loic overcame the Georgian Avtandili Tchrikishvili winning the fight with a wazari . The bronze medals were won by the Mongolian Ungaanbatar Otgonbaatar and the Russian Ivan Nifantov .
\"When I defeated Victor Penalber, I felt that gold was coming, because I knew he was competing at home and I would have to be stronger. Victor has been competing very well, he is a great fighter. I believe that was a turning point, because I became aware of my chances of winning the medal, \" said Loic Pietri.
On Friday ( 30/ 08 ), the middleweight athletes (- 90kg for men and 70kg for women - ) will compete; the half-heavyweight (- 78kg) female athletes will step on the tatami as well. Brazil is going to be represented by the judokas Eduardo Santos , Maria Portela and Mayra Aguiar .
