We have fall to learn to pick ourselves back up again. This is something that the 24-year-old Uta Abe will get to hear until she feels recovered from her most recent loss. The Japanese judo star crowned herself a champion at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 alongside her elder brother. However, her dream to defend the title has now been lost.

In her homeland, Abe defeated Amandine Buchard of France to win the gold medal in the 52 kg Women’s Judo in 2020. On July 28, during the Paris Olympics, the French land indirectly avenged its daughter, as Abe was defeated by her opponent during the 2nd round of qualifications.

Uzbekistan’s Diyora Keldiyorova, who was in white robes during her second-round match in Paris, won the match against the former champion by ippon as the latter broke down into tears. Her dream was shattered for the first time since 2019. In these five years, she has never walked out of the arena without a medal.

Hifumi Abe, Uta’s 26-year-old brother, also won gold for his homeland in 2020. This year, the siblings were supposed to defend their titles together, but that won’t be happening now. Uta’s defeat came shortly before Hifumi’s first victory of the day, a comfortable win over Hungary’s Bence Pongracz at the Champ-de-Mars Arena.

Watching her expectations turn into disappointment was only natural for the young judoka. So, sports enthusiasts across the globe did not like seeing her heartbreak live as she broke down in the arms of her coach, Katsuyuki Masuchi.

Fans send condolences and prayers for Uta Abe

After the official account for the Paris Olympics 2024 paid its respect to the young legend of X, fans of the event also joined in. Soon, there were several reactions online that aimed at paying their respects to the Judo athlete.

Even while leaving the arena, Uta Abe’s sobbing did not stop. This showed how heartbreaking it must have been for her to leave her dream for this year behind on the mat where she fell down back first. This one viewer felt a fraction of the emotional turmoil that she must be going through at the moment.

Another netizen noticed what went down in Paris today and was shocked to see that. With Uta Abe on the mat, one would expect that the only ippon that can happen will take place on her opponent. This contrasting news shocked the fan who went on to react on X.

A Japanese sports enthusiast showed great gratitude to the audience present in the arena in Paris. They just feel grateful that the viewers appreciated how Uta Abe’s skills on the mat before her Uzbeki opponent took advantage of the situation at the right time.

A French comment reads off an interesting and respectful message. This shows how much love people in the sports world hold for the one-time Olympic gold medalist. There is always another time to show the world that you are still a legend.

Another user commented in French that seems to be consoling Uta Abe for her loss this year. However, there is also a prayer, wish, and hope for her performance four years down the line stated in the tweet.

Change is the only constant in life, and the results of an event are vastly affected by various factors. Hopefully, the 24-year-old Japanese judoka will learn the required lessons to help her prepare mentally and physically for the next big competition and redeem her title. In the meantime, her brother Hifumi Abe might still be able to retain his title and make his sister and country proud.