“I was thrown without having an instant to react.” a devastated Uta Abe told reports much later after her shocking loss. Not having lost a single match in five years, those in attendance at Champ de Mars Arena couldn’t have imagined the defending 52 kg Olympic medalist losing. The 24-year-old burst into inconsolable tears as the shock and disbelief finally hit her while leaving the tatami. Elder brother and fellow champion Hifumi Abe shared her pain as he watched his sister lose to Uzbekistan’s Diyora Keldiyorova.

So when the 66 kg judoka stepped on the mat later, he bore the weight of his sister’s dreams as well. Hifumi and Uta Abe have become part of judo royalty. For over five years, the brother and sister duo have dominated their respective weight classes, becoming celebrities in Japan. With their ‘double-double’ Olympic gold medal dreams shattered, the 26-year-old knew there was no margin for error as he faced Brazil’s Willian Lima at the 66kg finals in Paris.

However, Hifumi Abe was determined to bring Olympic glory to his family of champions. The 26-year-old took the lead over his Brazilian opponent with what the commentator dubbed a “brilliant ashi-waza.” Although Lima attempted to mount a comeback, it would end in Abe’s favor. The 66 kg Tokyo Olympic champion ended the match with a violent throw that mirrored the one that ended his sister’s Olympic campaign.

Now a back-to-back Olympic gold medalist, Hifumi Abe stood up and looked directly at his sister after winning the bout. Uta Abe, who watched her brother fulfill their dream, cried in silent celebration. After his victory, the 12x IJF champion opened up on why he couldn’t lose.

Hifumi Abe couldn’t let his sister down

“My sister lost today, so it was a really hard day for me,” Abe told reports after the victory. However, Abe understood that he was fighting for his sister as well. “I had the feeling all day that I had to work hard for my sister,” said the prolific champion. Although the elder brother shared his sister’s despair, he kept his emotions in check.

“I felt I had no choice but to do my best as the older brother,” added Hifumi Abe. Uta Abe’s emotional outburst not only delayed the following match, but also deeply affected her brother. “I couldn’t calm myself down when I lost…” the 9x IJF gold medalist explained. The judoka blamed her rush to secure a quick finish for her loss.

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While losing out early on the grandest stage affected Uta Abe, she was glad that her siblings continued their family’s legacy at the Olympics. The 24-year-old may have also found a hint of consolation that the Uzbek, who beat her, went on to win the 52 kg women’s gold medal. A first for Uzbekistan.