Paralympics 2024: Nikolaychyk wins Ukraine's first judo gold
Photo: Nataliya Nikolaychyk became a Paralympic champion (Getty Images)
Ukrainian judoka Nataliya Nikolaychyk triumphed at the Paris Paralympics defeating Japanese competitor Shizuka Hangai in the final.
The 37-year-old Ukrainian won the gold medal in the -48 kg category. This Paralympic award is the third in her career.
Nikolaychyk decisively defeated her opponent. The Japanese judoka did not score any points during the match. Nikolaychyk delivered a dominating performance, winning 11-0 with an initial waza-ari and finishing with an ippon.
This gold medal in Paris is Nikolaychyk's first at the Paralympic Games. Previously, she won bronze medals twice (2012, 2021) in the -52 kg category. Additionally, this award is Ukraine's first in judo in eight years.
Paralympics 2024, Judo, J1, Women, -48 kg:
- Nataliya Nikolaychyk (Ukraine)
- Shizuka Hangai (Japan)
- Rosicleide Silva De Andrade (Brazil)
- Ecem Tasin (Türkiye)
Earlier, para-athlete Pomazan won gold in shot put, sending the shot 12.75 meters in the final. This was her third Paralympic victory in this event, following triumphs in London and Tokyo.
