Two-time world champion Chizuru Arai won the Olympic judo title in the women’s 70kg category. In the final, the Japanese judoka won over Austria’s Michaela Polleres with “waza-ari”.
Japan’s judoka has been in dominant form so far at these Games. Japanese athletes have claimed six golds, one silver, and one bronze during the judo competition. For Japan, it is the second women’s judo title in five categories and the sixth overall in the men’s category.
Michaela Polleres was the more rested of the finalists despite competing in the second semifinal. She punched her ticket for the final by defeating the Netherlands’ Sanne van Dijke via waza-ari in regular time.
The 27-year-old Chizuru Arai made the only successful attack in the match 1:08 minutes after its start and managed to fend off Michaela Polleres’ attacks until the end.
In the bronze medal matches, the representative of the Russian Olympic Committee Madina Taimazova defeated the Croatian Barbara Matic with “waza-ari”, while the Dutch Sanne van Dijke won with “ippon” against the German Giovanna Scoccimarro.
Final ranking in the Olympic judo tournament for women in the category up to 70 kg:
1. Chizuru Arai (Japan)
2. Michaela Polleres (Austria)
3. Madina Taimazova (Russian Olympic Committee) and Sanne van Dijke (Netherlands)
