Fran Garrigós Brings Home Spain's First Medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics
- ByAlejandro Martínez --
- 2024-07-28 08:17:06 --
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- ESP
Judoka Fran Garrigós Secures Bronze in the -60kg Category
In a triumphant moment for Spanish sports, judoka Fran Garrigós has secured the first medal for Spain at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The 27-year-old from Móstoles clinched the bronze medal in the -60kg category after defeating Georgian competitor Giorgi Sardalashvili in their final bout.
Garrigós' achievement not only brings joy to the Spanish delegation but also ends a 24-year drought for Spanish judo, which last saw a medal at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, where Isabel Fernández claimed the bronze. This bronze medal is the seventh Olympic medal for Spanish judo, a testament to the sport's rich history in the country.
"First medal for #TeamEspaña in #Paris2024. Fran Garrigós brings home the bronze. Spanish judo deserved this! Congratulations, Fran. Let's go, Spain!"
The path to the bronze medal was not an easy one for Garrigós. After securing victories against Belgian Jorre Verstraeten in the round of 16 and Japanese favorite Ryuju Nagayama in the quarterfinals, the Spanish judoka faced a tough semifinal match against Kazakh Yeldos Smetov, who would eventually go on to win the gold medal.
Despite the semifinal setback, Garrigós displayed resilience and determination in the bronze medal bout against Sardalashvili, a fellow world champion. The match went into golden score, and it was Garrigós' waza-ari that clinched the victory and the bronze medal for Spain.
Garrigós, who holds a degree in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences and a Master's in Sports Management, is also a reservist in the Spanish Air Force. His journey to the Olympic podium has been filled with numerous international medals, including three European championship titles.
The joy of Garrigós' achievement was not shared entirely, as fellow Spanish judoka Laura Martínez narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in the -48kg category. Martínez, also from Madrid, reached the semifinals but ultimately succumbed to the pressure of the home crowd, losing to Frenchwoman Shirine Boukli in the bronze medal match.
The success of Fran Garrigós has not gone unnoticed, with the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, and the mayor of Móstoles, Manuel Bautista, among the first to express their pride and congratulate the judoka for his achievement.
"The pride of Móstoles crosses borders. Fran Garrigós is a great ambassador of Móstoles, the Community of Madrid, and Spain," said Bautista on social media.
Similarly, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez took to social media to congratulate Garrigós, recognizing the significance of this first medal for the Spanish team in Paris 2024.
Fran Garrigós' bronze medal marks a historic moment for Spanish judo, ending a long drought and igniting hope for more success in the remainder of the Olympic Games. The country's judoka have proven their mettle, and Garrigós' achievement has undoubtedly inspired the entire Spanish delegation to push for greater triumphs in the days to come.
As the Spanish team continues its quest for glory in Paris 2024, the bronze medal won by Fran Garrigós stands as a testament to the hard work, dedication, and the unwavering spirit of Spanish athletes. This triumph has not only filled the nation with pride but also serves as a source of inspiration for the next generation of Spanish sports champions.