Judoka Mouloud seeks to top the podium in Rio

Algeria’s Beijing 2008 gold medallist is hoping to claim the title at September’s Paralympic Games. 10 Jun 2016

Two judo athletes fighting on a tatami or judo mat.

Judoka, Noura Mouloud from Algeria competing at the London 2012 Paralympics.

ⒸGareth Copley from Getty Images.

By IPC

“My main goal for Rio is simple, I want to win the gold that I lost in London and become Paralympic champion like I did in Beijing.”

Algeria’s Noura Mouloud is confident he can outdo his London 2012 bronze-medal performance at this year’s Paralympic Games and reclaim the title that he won at Beijing 2008.

The 33-year-old has shown great form during the last two years, winning the 2014 IBSA Judo World Championships and the Seoul 2015 IBSA World Games, and will head into Rio as strong favourite for gold in the men’s -60kg.

“My main goal for Rio is simple, I want to win the gold that I lost in London and become Paralympic champion like I did in Beijing,” he said.

“Topping the podium at a Paralympic Games is every athlete’s dream. It will not be easy, many things need to happen for me to win, but I am working hard for that.”

Mouloud will have to be at his best to hold off Azerbaijan’s London 2012 gold medallist Ramin Ibrahimov, Uzbekistan’s World No.1 Sherzod Namozov and China’s Li Xiaodong.

“It will be a tough competition with very strong judokas,” Mouloud said.

“I also expect a world-class organisation and first-level judges. Judo is no science and can be subjective sometimes.”

Mouloud remembers Beijing 2008 as his best sporting experience so far and is hoping to relive it at September’s Paralympics.

“Winning the gold in Beijing was my biggest accomplishment,” he said.

“It was hard for me to hold back my tears whilst I was on top of the podium, listening to Algeria’s national anthem and watching my country’s flag being raised.

“At that moment, I thought about my friends, my family and all the difficult moments I went through to achieve that gold.”

Even though he highlights the importance of securing a bronze in London, Mouloud knows that he will not feel fulfilled if he does not win the title at Rio 2016.

“I am training hard every day to win the gold medal,” he said.

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The IPC’s Global ATR is Jet Set Sports, and Rio 2016 tickets and packages can be purchased on the CoSport website.

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