Australian judoka's 92-year-old grandmother steals the show despite sensational sudden-death scenes on mat
Australia's Aoife Coughlan put up an unbelievable fight against Germany's world number eight Miriam Butkereit, but to no avail.
Coughlan, 28, took it right to Butkereit, forcing golden score by the end of regulation time – but sudden-death overtime saw Butkereit, 30, win by ippon - a successful throw performed with control and power, or a pin lasting 20 seconds - in the women's 70kg judo round of 16.
It was unbelievable scenes inside Grand Palais Éphémère in Champ de Mars in Paris, with Coughlan giving it her absolute all on the mat. And her contest was added to by a special guest spotted just behind a television camera, who's since drawn the world's attention.
Watch the video above.
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Coughlan's 92-year-old grandmother Pam Coughlan, from Ireland, scored a prime position mat-side to watch her granddaughter compete, with the judoka's cousin explaining just how his grandmother secured her prime – and unusual – spot on social media.
Aoife Coughlan's grandmother Pam Coughlan was spotted sitting in a special position as she watched her granddaughter on the mat. Nine
"She persuaded them to let her sit here. Never doubt the Dublin Granny," Mark Coughlan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Wearing sunglasses inside and a red, French-style beret to complete her look, Coughlan's grandmother Pam watched her compete and win 1-0 against Hungary's Szabina Gercsák in the women's 70kg round of 32, only to be eliminated 10-0 by Butkereit.
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"Judo is quicker than I knew, and harsh," Coughlan's cousin Mark Coughlan explained to his social media followers playing along at home.
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"Round two 20 minutes after round one: Aoife lost on Judo's equivalent of extra time and penalties in the last minute," he continued.
"Massive pride. What an achievement. Olympian and hugs from Granny afterwards."
Pam Coughlan, Mark Coughlan says, will "have to do the Paris lookaround now" as she did eight years ago, when she flew aged 83 to spectate at Rio 2016.
Coughlan and Germany's Miriam Butkereit exchanged a hug after their sudden-death round saw Coughlan's defeat. PA Images via Getty Images
It was all smiles for the duo after the spectacular match. Getty
Coughlan made her Olympic debut five years later at Tokyo 2020.
Butkereit will face off against Austria's Michaela Polleres in the women's 70kg semifinal B on Thursday morning.
