Lele Nairne’s Olympic hopes for gold in the judo competition were ended with a first-round defeat at the Champ-de-Mars Arena on Monday morning.
The 26-year-old was competing in her first Olympic Games in the under 57 kilograms category but was beaten 10-0 by Eteri Liparteliani of Georgia.
The Weston-super-Mare based judoka had been crowned -57kg British Champion in 2023 but saw her Olympic challenge cut short by ippon via a hold down just one minute and 57 seconds into the bout.
It was a tough first round draw for the Olympic debutant with Liparteliani seeded 6th in their weight category and the Georgian also already had Olympic experience having finished 5th in Tokyo.
Liparteliani has since gone on to lose in the bronze medal match.
“Not the fight I wanted,” said Nairne after the fight. “I’m very disappointed. She’s a tough, tough competitor and I wish the best for her.
“I am incredibly proud of myself for making the Games, I just wish I could have fought better.
“It has been a long journey to make it here. I am going to take some time off and spend some time with my family.”
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