Paris, France – Mexican judoka Prisca Awiti has clinched the silver medal in the women’s 63kg judo category at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, marking the first silver for Mexico since Rio 2016.
Prisca’s journey to the podium was marked by a series of impressive victories. She began her campaign in the Round of 32 with a swift and decisive win against Nigara Shaheen of the Refugee Olympic Team, defeating her by ippon in just 35 seconds. This rapid victory set the tone for Prisca’s strong performance throughout the tournament.
In the subsequent rounds, Prisca faced increasingly challenging opponents. In the Round of 16, she battled against Poland’s Angelika Szymanska, securing a win with a wazari in a closely contested and physically demanding match. Her determination and skill were evident as she moved forward.
The quarter-finals saw Prisca continue her excellent form, overcoming Austria’s Lubjlana Piovesana with another wazari. This victory propelled her into the semi-finals, where she faced Croatian judoka Katarina Kristo. In a tense and thrilling duel lasting 3 minutes and 10 seconds, Prisca emerged victorious with a wazari, ensuring her place in the final.
In the gold medal match, Prisca faced Slovenia’s Andreja Leški. Despite her valiant effort, Prisca was defeated by ippon, securing the silver medal for Mexico. This achievement represents a significant milestone for the Mexican delegation at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Born in the United Kingdom on February 20, 1996, Prisca Awiti has a diverse heritage, with a Kenyan father and a Mexican mother. She chose to represent Mexico in 2017, initially funding her own participation in competitions to demonstrate her talent to the authorities. Prisca made her Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games, where she finished in 17th position.
Throughout her career, Prisca has accumulated numerous accolades, including a bronze medal at the 2023 Pan American Games and two silver medals at the Pan American Judo Championships in 2021 and 2023. Her latest achievement, a silver medal at the Olympic Games, adds to her impressive list of accomplishments and solidifies her status as one of Mexico’s premier athletes.
Prisca’s success at the Paris 2024 Olympics is a testament to her dedication, skill, and perseverance. Her journey from self-funded competitions to standing on the Olympic podium serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes in Mexico and around the world.