Brazilian judoka Bia Souza advanced to the semifinals, flipping a near defeat into a triumphant victory within moments.
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During her quarterfinal bout against South Korea’s Hayun Kim, the match extended into the Golden Score—judo’s sudden death overtime—where things took a dramatic twist.
🥇É OURO!!! A judoca Bia Souza derrota israelense e leva a primeira medalha dourada do Brasil em Paris! Parabéns a essa lutadora maravilhosa, mulher negra nos enchendo de orgulho! pic.twitter.com/T7RcndaLdU
— Ivan Valente (@IvanValente) August 2, 2024
Initially, the referee awarded the match to Kim, but a swift VAR review overturned this decision, spotting a waza-ari for Souza and securing her win.
Bia Souza: "Eu sou campeã olímpica."
BIA SOUZA CHORANDO E O BRASIL CHORA COM VOCÊ DE EMOÇÃO E FELICIDADE. #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/IAqfrDpkbm
— Séries Brasil (@SeriesBrasil) August 2, 2024
This VAR call marks a first for Brazil in judo at these games, contrasting sharply with previous instances where Brazilian competitors like Rafaela Silva and Rafael Macedo faced losses under controversial circumstances.
Souza, only 26 and making her Olympic debut, now ranks fifth globally and has an impressive record, including a recent silver and two bronzes at the World Championships.
However, Souza faces a daunting challenge ahead. She’ll square off against the world’s number one, Romane Dicko from France, in the semifinals. The two have clashed five times before, with Souza only managing one win against Dicko’s four.
As she steps onto the mat, Souza not only fights for a medal but also to uphold the legacy of Maria Suellen, Brazil’s revered heavyweight champion. This match isn’t just about medals; it’s a test of resilience and the quest to redefine her place in judo history.
