Eliminated at the start. The third representative of the Great Island, judoka Zo Hajanirina Andriambolona from JC Saint-Michel, failed in her first match yesterday at the World Judo Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan. The 31-year-old, ranked 54th in the world, was defeated in the round of 32 in the -78 kg category by 34-year-old Guinean Marie Branser, ranked 11th globally. The defeat came via three penalties for passivity, equivalent to an ippon.
The experienced Guinean, a vice-champion of Africa, had previously won a bronze medal at the Lima Grand Prix in August and gold at the Upper Austria Grand Prix in March. As for Zo, she finished fifth at the African Championships in April, following her gold medal win at the Dakar African Open in March.
The other two Malagasy representatives have also exited the competition. Laura Rasoanaivo Razafy, competing in the -70 kg category, and Natacha Emiliame Razafindrakalo, in the -48 kg category, were both eliminated in the second round.
Captured & Published at: 2026-10-10 05:38:35 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/10/judo-mondial-zo-andriambolona-chute.html