The scene at the Paris Olympics was pretty gut-wrenching when Uta Abe, the Japanese judo star and reigning 52 kg gold medalist, faced off against world number one Diyora Keldiyorova. Unfortunately, she ended up losing and couldn’t hold back her tears as she left the arena feeling totally crushed. But for her brother, Hifumi Abe, that was just the kick he needed to channel his frustration into his own match.

Both siblings had struck gold at the Tokyo Olympics, so missing out this time around hit hard. Still, the Japanese judo star wasn’t ready to throw in the towel. He came through with a big win in the 66 kg category by taking down Brazil’s William Lima. After pulling off an impressive victory, Hifumi Abe opened up about how Uta’s loss fueled his drive to win.

“When my sister lost, I was shocked and I felt bitter all day,” he said. “I had to fight.” He then went on to dedicate his gold medal to Uta Abe too! “I’m so glad I could get a gold medal for the sake of my sister,” concluded the judoka.

After Hifumi Abe wrapped up the match with a jaw-dropping throw against Lima, he looked straight over at Uta. Their eyes locked as she watched him snag another gold medal. This time her tears were happy ones as she celebrated her brother’s amazing achievement.

For Abe, winning wasn’t just about his own victory. It was also a way of standing up for his sister after she hit her lowest. But what does this win really mean for this Japanese standout?

Hifumi Abe was set to show the world who he is

Well, grab on tight—this gold medal at the Paris Olympics feels even more special than the one he snagged in Tokyo, claimed Hifumi Abe himself. Not only did he get to avenge his sister’s loss, but it was also an epic chance to show off what he’s got right in front of a cheering crowd. “I am very happy to have won the gold medal amidst the cheers of the Olympics,” said the gold-medal winner after that unforgettable win.

Hifumi Abe’s main goal? To prove himself and highlight his judo talent to everyone out there. “I want to show my overwhelming judo not only to the people of Japan but also to the people of the world,” he shared in an interview post-victory. And man, did he deliver! He absolutely dominated William Lima throughout their match, so much so that the final score of 10-0 felt like just a formality. Truly, what a performance!