JUDO: Australian Katharina Haecker’s Olympic run has ended at the hands of dual bronze World Championship medallist Miku Tashiro of Japan.

Tashiro was too strong for Haecker who eventually succumbed to the Japanese judoka with just 10 seconds left in the match.

Tashiro had already scored a wazari and a yuko against Haecker in the earlier stages of the match, but with 10 seconds remaining she threw Haecker to the mat to secure the win by ippon.

Haecker gave her all, accruing three shido (penalties), after winning her opening round match at Carioca Arena 2, Olympic Park, earlier in the day.

In the round of 32 Haecker, 24, remained cool under pressure from her opponent Laura Lopez Salles of Andorra and managed to close the contest, winning by ippon, just 65 seconds into the clash.

Haecker took advantage of her opportunities to overcome Lopez Salles, who received a wild card entry into the Olympic competition, and progress to the next round.

Her teammate, Eoin Coughlan, was eliminated from the men’s -81kg category also today, defeated by Korea’s Lee Seungsu. Seungsu won by ippon after a minute and a half of competition.

Only one Australian judoka remains in the competition, Miranda Giambelli, who will compete in the opening round of the women’s -78kg category on Thursday 11 August. She will face hometown rival Mayra Aguiar.

Candice Keller
olympics.com.au