Nikoloz Sherazadishvili, born in Georgia, competing Spain, is considered the favorite in the class.
For Marcus Nyman, it will be the third Olympic start. He was in both London and Rio, but with the fresh World Cup bronze he has gained a new self-confidence.
After the success in the World Cup, my mother called.
Her name is Elisabeth Karlsson and she is one of Sweden’s foremost judokas of all time. The first to win a World Cup medal, 1986.
– She was very proud of course and really motherly. She was as happy as I was, said Marcus Nyman when we met not long after the success in the World Cup.
He always gets questions about his mother, but 30 years old he does not find it embarrassing to answer.
– I grew up with this and had no choice, it was not my choice to start. I was put on the judo mat, but stuck to it myself. This sport has given me a lot.
He has more experience, but is as hungry as nine years ago at the London Olympics.
– And has more to give, says Marcus Nyman.
In the top tier, everyone knows each other well.
– We recognize every movement. Someone immediately sees if you do something you do not usually do. It is in this context that he says that the Spaniard who tops the world rankings is the favorite. But Nyman starts against Nantenaina Finesse from the Seychelles.
In the 70-kilo class, which will also be decided on Wednesday, is Anna Bernholm seeded and starts against Nihel Landolsi from Tunisia.
After missing the Olympics in Rio, she made a restart, went up a weight class to 70 kilos and worked her way up to a second place in the world rankings.
But a year and a half ago she damaged her cruciate ligament and the road back has been long.
The goal in the Olympics is still a medal.
– No one is impossible to beat. I have not beaten everyone, but everyone has beaten each other up there at the top. No one is undefeated, says Anna Bernholm.
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