Paris Paralympics 2024 Para-Judo: Kokila eliminated after losing in repechage round

Indian para-judoka Kokila Kaushiklate saw her Paris Paralympics 2024 para-judo campaign come to an end as she lost 10-0 against Ukraine’s Yuliia Ivanytska in the repechage round of the women’s 48kg J2 event on Thursday.

35-year-old Ivanytska, a three-time Paralympic bronze medalist, was always the overwhelming favorite against debutant Kokila.

However, Kokila turned up during the must-win match, holding her vastly experienced opponent at bay during most of the match. Despite getting several warnings for ‘negative judo’, Kokila did not let Ivanytska take control of the contest.

After the four-minute regulation time had ended without the judoka scoring any points, the match went to the golden score stage. The golden score is similar to the concept of a golden goal in football, where the first opponent to score a point wins the match.

After 17 seconds of further contest, Ivanytska scored an ippon (highest-possible scoring move in judo) to end the Paris Paralympics 2024 para-judo match as the winner by a scoreline of 10-0.

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How did Kokila fare in the Paris Paralympics 2024 para-judo event?

Kokila Kaushiklate made her Paris Paralympics 2024 debut today against Kazakhstan’s Akmaral Nauatbek. This was a tough opening day draw for Kokila, whose opponent was a gold medal winner in the 2022 Asian Para Games as well as the 2022 World Championships.

The 25-year-old Kazakh para-judoka took control of the match from the beginning, scoring a waza-ari just after the half-mark in the contest with an o-uchi-gari throw. Nauatbek then wrapped the competition with one minute remaining, scoring a second waza-ari with a yoko-shiho-gatame pin to win the match 10-0.

Despite being completely outclassed on the opening day, Kokila showed heart to fight back in her repechage match.

Then after losing in the second Paris Paralympics 2024 para-judo match as well, she will return empty-handed from her debut Paralympic Games appearance.

However, Kokila Kaushiklate can be proud of her determination and will vow to come back stronger in the Los Angeles Paralympics 2028.