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Kenyan judoka Zeddy Cherotich exited the Paris 2024 Olympics after just 20 seconds following a disappointing loss to her Portuguese opponent in the round of 32.
Zeddy Cherotich may have made history as the first woman to represent Kenya in judo at the Olympics but her sojourn in Paris lasted a mere 20 seconds.
Cherotich took to the mat against Portuguese judoka Patricia Sampaio in the 78kg category in the round of 32 on Thursday.
However, any hopes of making further history disappeared immediately as Sampaio won the fight and qualified for the round of 16 of the competition taking place at the Champ-de-Mars Arena.
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08:30 - 31.07.2024
From Kericho to the world: Zeddy Cherotich fly's Kenya's flag in women's 78kg Judo at Paris Olympic
Zeddy will face Portuguese Sampio Patricia
The 25-year-old Sampaio (13th in the world), who is competing in her second Olympic Games, after her debut in Tokyo2020, won in the first 20 seconds, with waza-ari, followed by immobilisation (ippon), against Cherotich, 22nd registered and ranked 74th in the world.
Cherotich, a Kericho native, will now return to the country after her short stint in Paris which continues Kenya’s poor showing at the Olympics in sports other than athletics.
So far, Kenya Sevens, who finished ninth in rugby sevens and Alexandra Ndolo, who was knocked out in the first round in fencing, have so far kissed the competition goodbye while Malkia Strikers are on the brink of elimination after losing back-to-back group stage matches in women’s volleyball.
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17:58 - 27.07.2024
Paris 2024: Kenya's pioneer fencer Alexandra Ndolo narrowly defeated by Ukrainian opponent
Kenyan fencer Alexandra Ndolo, the nation's first Olympic representative in the sport, was narrowly eliminated by Ukraine's Kryvytska in Paris.
It was, however, a great story for Cherotich, who initially pursued javelin after being inspired by the great Julius Yego, before she switched to judo two years ago.
She qualified for the Paris Games through the points and ranking system in the judo Olympic qualification rounds.
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