The Chinese judo team has finalized its lineup for the Paris Olympics, with six female athletes, including Tokyo Olympians Ma Zhenzhao and Xu Shiyan, set to compete. The team is rigorously preparing through a comprehensive training program that includes specialized physical conditioning, real combat training, and tailored strategies for key opponents. Each athlete’s training plan is meticulously designed to maximize their performance on the competition day.
Team leader Yan Yu expressed optimism about the team’s prospects, stating, “We are in a crucial stage, and every athlete is prepared to give their all to strive for medals, including gold.”
Chinese female judokas have a storied history of success, having won gold at every Olympic Games from 1992 in Barcelona to 2008 in Beijing. However, the team has not secured a gold medal since the Beijing Olympics, with disappointing results in London, Rio de Janeiro, and Tokyo.
The recent performance at the Hangzhou Asian Games has revived hopes, as the team clinched a gold medal after a nine-year hiatus. Ma Zhenzhao triumphed in the women’s 78kg category, while Xu Shiyan and Tang Jing secured silver in the over 78kg and 63kg categories, respectively. Guo Zongying took bronze in the 48kg division.
“Judo is an unpredictable sport where a single mistake can cost the match. Every opponent, from the first to the last, deserves our utmost attention. I hope our athletes can fight through to the end and achieve success,” said Yan Yu.
The judo competition at the Paris Olympics will take place at Champ de Mars from July 27 to August 3. The team roster is as follows:
48 kg: Guo Zongying
52 kg: Zhu Yeqing
57 kg: Cai Qi
63 kg: Tang Jing
78 kg: Ma ZhenzhaoAbove
78 kg: Xu Shiyan
The Chinese judo team is poised to make a strong showing in Paris, aiming to reclaim their legacy of Olympic success.