At the home of Judo, the Nippon Budokan, Aoife Coughlan took to the mat in her first Olympic Games appearance.  

But the Coughlan family are no strangers to the Olympic Games with Aoife’s brother Eoin donning the green and gold for Australia at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. 

But all eyes were on Aoife as she stepped into her first bout of the day, writing her own name in the Olympic Games history books. 

Coughlan, the 25th ranked judoka in the 70kg torment, faced Kiribati’s Kinaua Biribo in the round of 32. 

But the fight didn’t last long.

Coughlan took complete control of the bout scoring two Waza-Ari within a minute to win the meeting. The Aussie had secured her position in the round of 16. 

Next up, a meeting with Giovanna Scoccimarro of Germany for a potential berth to the quarter finals. 

“I knew the second fight was going to be a very hard fight no matter who it was,” Coughlan said.

“We were one and one before the start of that bout, I fought her for a bronze medal at masters at the start of the year and she defeated me in that fight.  

“I got one back at worlds which was really good to do that. I knew it was going to be tough.” 

Despite her best efforts, it wasn’t to be, with the world number nine securing victory over the Aussie with an Ippon just after the minute mark. 

“Judo is a very cruel sport sometimes and in the second one I made a mistake and stepped the wrong way and she capitalised on it. Unfortunately it just wasn’t my day today but I am still proud of what I was able to achieve.” 

This isn’t the end for Coughlan who even in defeat was the epitome of the Aussie sporting spirit. As to what’s next, her answer is simple. 

“Paris.  

“I’m only 25, I love this sport, I love the highs and the lows and I am ready to give it all I got to try and get a medal.” 

Matthew Barnard