This year’s Paris Olympics featured an impressive display of martial arts. These included Judo, Taekwondo, Boxing, and Wrestling. Whether this was your first time watching combat sports or you are a die-hard fan, it was a memorable Games!
Martial arts have been featured in the Olympics since the 1964 Tokyo Games. Since then, some truly amazing athletes have showcased their skill set at the pinnacle of their sport on the Olympic stage. Paris 2024 was no different. There were numerous highlights that certainly will spark your interest in the martial arts world!
Judo
In Judo the team event created quite a dramatic end. The fierce rivalry between Team Japan and Team France began at the 2020 Olympics where France was triumphant in the home of judo in Japan.
At the start of the final Japan took a three-nil lead, and France’s chances of becoming double Olympic champions were slipping away. The deciding match was between Joan Gaba and Hifumi Abe.
The match went to golden score (extra time) where both fighters were on two shidos (penalties). Against all odds Gaba threw the double Olympic champion and brought France back into the competition.
The pressure swiftly moved to Clarisse Agbegnenou to keep Gaba’s momentum. She achieved an ippon score to end her match. Teddy Riner was the final contestant who could force them into a sudden death rematch contest.
He scored an ippon bringing the score to 3-3. The random generator selected the over 100kg which forced Teddy to refight despite just coming off from his last fight. In a truly spectacular fashion Teddy threw with his signature Uchi Mata to secure the title for France once again.
Boxing
Cindy Ngamba made history as the first refugee team member to win a medal in women’s middleweight boxing. She fought against French athlete Davina Michel in the quarter finals for the chance at a guaranteed medal.
Following a dominant performance, the judges awarded her the win by unanimous decision. Ngamba represented the refugee team on account of her not being able to obtain British citizenship, despite moving to the UK at age 11.
She has faced many obstacles with immigration, and five years ago was threatened with deportation back to Cameroon. Despite this uncertainty throughout her life, she triumphed winning a bronze medal at these games.
Taekwondo
In women’s Taekwondo, there was a thrilling gold medal match at under 49kg. Panipak Wongpattanakit of Thailand faced Guo Qing of China for the opportunity to defend her Olympic title.
The Thai fighter won the first round, but her Chinese opponent fought back to level the score in the second. It made for an exciting watch. In the final round the Thai fighter took the lead and won with a kick to the head, followed by some tactical moves to run down the remaining few seconds on the clock.
Wrestling
In the Men’s 130kg wrestling final, Cuba’s Mijain Lopez Nuñez became the first athlete to win five gold medals in the same event. In his final, he took the lead against Yasmani Acosta Fernández, winning 6-0 as time expired.
The 41-year-old expressed his emotions by leaving his shoes on the mat, symbolizing the end of his career and the realisation of his dream at this final games.
How to Get into Martial Arts
There were many martial arts moments from Paris 2024 that generated residual buzz and traction for combat sports. If you have become interested in martial arts and want to get involved, there are numerous ways to get started.
Each martial art (for UK readers) has a Nationwide Club Finder feature on their respective websites. If you enter your postcode and martial art of choice, it will provide you with a breakdown of the clubs in your area, as well as a primary contact for each club.
Furthermore, if you’re unsure which martial art is best for you, you have another option. The martial arts club finder allows you to search for all martial arts in the area and select what suits you.
Most of these sessions include either a trial period or a free first session. So, if you do not like it, you can leave at no extra charge. If you’re concerned about not having sufficient kit, most centres have kits you can borrow for each session.
Non-Olympic Martial Arts Entry Points
If the Olympics ignited your interest in martial arts but you did not see the one for you, there are plenty of other martial arts that have yet to be featured in the Olympics but are excellent entry points into combat sports.
For example, MMA, BJJ, and Karate. All martial arts that have yet to make their Olympic debuts, but are extremely effective at developing good habits, discipline, and providing opportunities for those who want to become competitive.
Similar to discovering local opportunities in martial arts, these combat sports also have a Club Finder that allows you to see where the nearest clubs are to you.
