Judoka Anriquelis Barrios said goodbye quickly to Paris 2024

Anriquelis Barrios fell in her debut against Anima Belkaldi / Photo: COV Press

Venezuelan judoka Anriquelis Barrios said goodbye to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games quickly after losing her first-round match on Tuesday.

The 30-year-old appeared on Court 1 of the Champs de Mars Arena, where she faced Algerian Anima Belkaldi in a battle of the -63 kilogram (kg) division.

The martial arts fight was even and was decided by the golden score, when the African won 1-0 over the native who won an Olympic diploma in Tokyo 2020.

Words

Barrios, who along with weightlifter Julio Mayora were Venezuela’s flag bearers at the opening parade of Paris 2024 held last Friday on the Seine River in the French capital, was dissatisfied with the result, as he wanted to transcend the competition.

After his setback, he thanked the country’s fans for their support, as they had sent him many encouraging messages through social media beforehand, something he greatly appreciated.

“I want to thank all the Venezuelan people who have supported me for several years. They know the whole process I went through (overcoming difficulties) to be here in Paris 2024. I hope that the citizens continue to give us their support, because that helps us and motivates us to face this type of competition,” he told the press department of the Venezuelan Olympic Committee (COV).

An objective

He admitted that he is not yet in the ideal competitive rhythm to face demanding tournaments, but he predicts that he will soon reach an optimal physical level.

“Since I found out I had qualified for Paris 2024, I felt very motivated and happy, but I knew I didn’t have the judo I had before. Working today (Tuesday) was not easy at all, but we have to keep going,” said the Bolivarian who will enjoy, for a few more days, her presence in the so-called City of Light.

“Since I set foot in the Olympic Village, I have enjoyed all my teammates and the delegation. This is part of being here and that is why the Olympic Games, which are held every four years, are special. I hope that my Venezuelan teammates have a lot of success and get what they deserve (prizes),” he concluded.

Valencia / Joseph Ñambre