Fletcher faced Uzbekistan’s Mukhammadkarim Khurramov in the elimination round of 32 game. This comes after his sister Megan narrowly lost to an Austrian judoka yesterday in the women’s division.

To see a report on that close women’s judo match click the article below.

Olympic Judo: Heartbreak for Fletcher against Austria

Best Irish athlete so far not to win a medal?
Horan in the rugby
Biggest disappointment?
Puspure
Heart goes out to?
Fletcher in the Judo
Regroup and move on #Olympics #Tokyo2020 #Ireland #TeamIreland

— paddy king (@paddytheloaf) July 29, 2021

Ireland’s 29-year-old broke his leg in two places in February but has managed to recover so he could compete at this Games. He previously came 17th in Rio 2016 competing for Team GB but has fought for Ireland since 2017.

Fletcher started the fight waiting for a time to strike, trying to read his opponent. After a minute and twenty seconds, he received a Shido penalty for non combativity.

This caused the Irish man to lower his guard and allow the Uzbekistani judoka to get a Waza-Ari just before two minutes.

Later the fight became cagey as Fletcher knew he needed a score to give him a chance. Khurramov was frustrating his Irish opponent and got a Shido penalty for a false-attack.

Time ticked away and the Uzbekistani judoka was named winner by Waza-Ari Sode-tsurikomi-goshi.

That result spells the end of Fletcher’s chances of a sought-after gold in Tokyo, joining his sister Megan in what will be a disappointing game for him. Still only at the age of 29, he has ability to reach another Olympics in Paris in three years time.

#Judo

Ben Fletcher gave it his all but has lost by Waza-ari to opponent Mukhammadkarim Khurramov in the elimination rounds of the men -100kg. #TeamIreland #Tokyo2020 @IrishJudo pic.twitter.com/ffUIFuYscu

— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) July 29, 2021

The post Olympic Judo: Fletcher knocked out in Tokyo appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Judo is a combat sport between two opponents, originated in Japan and the word literally means ‘the gentle way’.

The objective of judo is to throw or take down an opponent to the ground or subdue them with a pinning hold, or force them to submit with a joint lock or a choke.

Irish Judoka Megan Fletcher was beaten late in the first elimination round in the women’s – 70kg this morning. This was a rematch from the bronze medal at the World Championships six weeks ago as she faced Austria’s Michaela Polleres.

Fletcher displayed impressive skill and determination against Austria’s Michaela Polleres, but lost by Waza-Ari (the second highest score in Judo) in the final three seconds.

Both Judokas picked up Shido penalties in the opening 46 seconds of the match, with Fletcher picking up a second towards the three-and-a-half-minute mark.

As pressure was mounting, Fletcher closed the space and Polleres preformed a Ushiro-gosh, a waza technique that consists of grasping the opponent in a bear hug, lifting them, and throwing them down on the tatami, to result in a 1s1 – 0s2 win for the Austrian.

“It was always going to be a really hard contest,” said Fletcher afterwards.

“For our entire careers, we have been having head-to-head fights. You have to be in the best position that you can, someone has to win, and someone has to lose. It wasn’t meant to be today.”

#Judo Irish Judoka Megan Fletcher gets her Olympic debut underway today against Michaela Polleres in her first elimination round, best of luck Megan! #TeamIreland #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/igdRvgAn4k

— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) July 28, 2021

“I have had a great career. I am very proud of myself. It is great for our family to have two Olympians. It was really hard watching Ben in Rio when I didn’t make it myself. I am very proud of him and will cheer him on when he competes next,” added Fletcher.

Ireland’s last judo fighter will take to the mat tomorrow as Benjamin Fletcher, Megan’s brother, will take on Uzbekistan’s Mukhammadkarim Khurramov in the Round of 32 elimination match.

The post Olympic Judo: Heartbreak for Fletcher against Austria appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.