Paris 2024: Twenty-One-Year-Old Yonezuka Gains Olympic Experience in Paris
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by Bill Kellick
PARIS, France - Taking to the tatami at Champs-de-Mars Arena in Paris on Monday, 21-year-old Jack Yonezuka's (West Long Branch, N.J. / NYAC / Cranford JKC) match with Moldova's Adil Osmanov in the men's -73kg division was ended 3:40 into the contest when Yonezuka was awarded his third shido (penalty), giving Osmanov victory by ippon.
Yonezuka was accompanied into the arena by his father and coach, Nick, who qualified himself for the 1980 U.S. Olympic Judo Team but never had a chance to compete due to the U.S. boycott that year. It was a significant moment where both father and son could experience their Olympic debut together.
Soon after returning to the tatami after having his bloodied lip attended to, Yonezuka was given his second shido for non-combativity. Less than a minute later, Yonezuka received his third and disqualifying shido for a grab below the belt.
"I wish I could see it back just to see exactly what happened," Yonezuka said after the match. "In the moment, it's frustrating because I didn't really feel myself touch his leg. I thought I had two hands on the arm, and maybe my elbow went behind his leg, which is legal. But that wasn't what the referee decided."
Despite the result, Yonezuka is taking the experience gained here in Paris and applying it toward making the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
"Unfortunately, the outcome wasn't what I wanted, but I'm excited to hopefully do it again in L.A. I was in the top-17 directly qualified, which is good for my age, but I want to excel into that top eight, where all the seeded players are. Maybe put myself away from some of the better players."
The U.S. Judo Team concludes its Paris 2024 competition on Wednesday as John Jayne (Chicago, Ill.) competes in the men's -90kg division.
