Paris 2024 judo: All results, as Lasha Bekauri of Georgia takes home second straight Olympic gold medal in men’s -90kg

Lasha Bekauri of Georgia captured gold in men’s judo -90kg at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 by a final tally of 10-1, as Japan’s Murao Sanshiro took home the silver on Wednesday 31 July.

For Bekauri, it was his second gold medal in the event after also winning at Tokyo 2020. With the match tied at one point each, Bekauri recorded an ippon in the final seconds to secure a 10-1 victory.

Maxime-Gaël Ngayap Hambou of France defeated Brazil’s Rafael Macedo 10-0 to win the bronze-medal match A, while Greece’s Theodoros Tselidis beat Tristani Mosakhlishvili of Spain 1-0 in bronze-medal match B.

Bekauri, with his second straight gold, continues a prestigious history for Georgia in the sport. The laundry list of Georgian champions in judo includes Shota Chochishvili in 1972, Shota Khabareli in 1980, David Khakhaleishvili in 1992, Zurab Zviadauri in 2004, Irakli Tsirekidze in 2008 and Lasha Shavdatuashvili in 2012, several of whom won in the -90kg weight class.

"Gold is my favourite colour," Bekauri said afterwards. "It was a tough fight because Japanese judoka are so strong. We always have really tough fights, and this fight was unbelievable."

Murao was brief in his statements after taking home the silver medal.

"I would like to aim for gold at the Los Angeles Olympics," he said.

Ngayap Hambou took bronze in his Olympic debut at 23 years old. He had previously won consecutive mixed team silver medals at the 2023 and 2024 world championships.

"The mindset was that I was not going to treat these Olympics like any other tournament. We do a lot of tournaments. I wanted to get the gold medal. Instead, it is a bronze medal. I am so happy,” said Ngayap Hambou**.**

Tselidis captured Greece’s first medal of Paris 2024 after beating Mosakhlishvili, who is one of his best friends.

"It's the first medal for Greece in these Olympics, so I'm twice proud. I am very proud that I could take a medal for Greece," said Tselidis. “I made history, history for me anyway. Greece gave me everything, so now I repay. At least I can repay something. I'm very happy. This feeling is amazing.

“He’s my best friend … but it’s sport.”

Judo: Men’s judo -90kg podium

Gold: Lasha Bekauri, Georgia

Silver: Murao Sanshiro, Japan

Bronze: Maxime-Gaël Ngayap Hambou, France

Bronze: Theodoros Tselidis, Greece