PARIS, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) — Host France successfully defended their mixed team title at the Paris Olympics here on Saturday.
The mixed team event, featuring a best-of-seven-set format, made its debut at the Tokyo Olympics, where France won the inaugural title by defeating Japan 4-1.
Japan held a 3-1 lead in the gold-medal match before Joan-Benjamin Gaba of France pulled off a remarkable win against two-time Olympic gold medalist Abe Hifumi during the golden score. Clarisse Agbegnenou then secured a victory over Takaichi Miku of Japan, bringing the score to 3-3.
Just a day after Teddy Riner claimed his third Olympic gold in the men’s over 100kg category, the 35-year-old stepped up to lead his country to victory, winning the tie-breaker against Tatsuru Saito with an ippon.
“For Team France, it was a memorable day, winning the mixed team event, but it was also a very difficult day because Japan put a lot of effort in and didn’t want to lose that medal again. But we were able to hold onto the title, and that was a magical moment,” said Shirine Boukli of France.
The bronze medal matches were intense as well, both being decided in tiebreakers, with Brazil and South Korea earning their first mixed team medal.
“For us Brazilians, to win the medal in the mixed team was very important because we deserve this medal. We have been very dedicated throughout the Olympics, and to close the Games with this medal is very important,” said Rafael Silva of Brazil.
“This is my last Olympics, and to end with this is very special, and it makes me very happy,” she added.
