On the penultimate day of the 2024 Paris Games Australia’s sole judoka, Taylor Gosens, made her debut Paralympic appearance on the tatami at Champ-de-Mars Arena, competing in the women’s +70 kg J2 quarter finals.
Donning a blue judogi, the 26-year-old faced a tough challenge in her first match, taking on Cuba’s Sheyla Hernandez Estupinan – who is ranked second in the world.
After establishing grip to begin combat, it was the Cuban who managed to produce an ‘ippon’ within the first minute, gaining the maximum points to end the match.
Having only taken up Judo four years ago – and using her Paris experience to build for future international tournaments – Gosens had another opportunity an hour later to walk out on the tatami in the repechage.
However, her task didn’t get much easier when she pulled on the white judogi to face world number three, Kazakhstan’s Zarina Raifova.
With the duel lasting more than two minutes, Gosens – who is ranked 14th – held her own and managed to pull her 115kg opponent down on the mat, before Raifova scored an ippon to end the battle.
Although Gosens only competed in her first international tournament last year, she can’t help but put pressure on herself to perform and commented while she “did alright” to place 7th overall, it was “rough” out there.
“It was rough, but that first fight is just judo, it can be one small thing. When I put my arm over her, I heard the sowing on her uniform breaking and it started to rip and then she threw me and I was like ‘dammit I was so close’,” Gosens said in the mixed zone.
“Sheyla (Cuban) was actually the first international opponent I faced last year at [IBSA] World Games and I haven’t fought her since now. After that first match my coach and I spoke a lot about how I needed to approach the next fight in the repechage and be really switched on.”
Taking key lessons from her debut Paralympic experience has been vital for Gosens, who will continue to work hard on all areas of her game.
“I think from this experience I’m learning that my body is ready but my brain and gaining control of my nerves still needs work,” she said. “As I improve going from fight to fight, I know that each new opponent will bring its own stresses.
“I really don’t think I expected to be this nervous and I almost puked four times this morning waiting to get out there. I also only slept about 30 minutes last night because my body was switched on and wanted to go which didn’t help – it’s all learnings for me and my coach and I’ll feel more prepared the next time.”
Gosens’ coach Elliot Stewart said he was very proud of Taylor’s performance.
“We know we have things to work on but I’m very proud of the way Taylor came out and gave it her all at her first Games,” Stewart said. “To think she’s only been competing internationally for one year is phenomenal and she did really well.”
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By: Danielle Balales, Paralympics Australia
Published: 7 September 2024