Ma Zhenzhao

1.1. Birth and Judo Beginnings

Ma Zhenzhao was born on November 5, 1997, in Binzhou, Shandong, China. She began her judo training at the age of nine, setting the foundation for her future international career.

2.1. Asian Games

Ma Zhenzhao has a strong record at the Asian Games. She secured one of the bronze medals in the women's 78 kg event at the 2018 Asian Games held in Jakarta, Indonesia. Five years later, she achieved a significant victory by winning the gold medal in the women's 78 kg event at the 2022 Asian Games, which was held in her home country in Hangzhou, China, in 2023. She also earned a bronze medal in the mixed team event at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou.

2.2. World Judo Championships

Ma Zhenzhao has consistently performed well at the World Judo Championships. In 2018, she reached the semifinals of the World Championships but was defeated by Guusje Steenhuis of the Netherlands, ultimately finishing in fifth place. In 2019, she competed in the women's 78 kg event at the World Judo Championships held in Tokyo, Japan, where she placed seventh. Her most notable achievement at the World Championships came in 2022 in Tashkent, where she advanced to the final but was defeated by former world champion Mayra Aguiar of Brazil, earning a silver medal. In 2023, she again finished in fifth place at the World Judo Championships held in Doha, Qatar, after losing her bronze medal match.

2.3. Asian Judo Championships

At the continental level, Ma Zhenzhao has earned multiple medals at the Asian Judo Championships. In May 2017, she won a silver medal at the Asian Championships in Hong Kong, finishing behind Shori Hamada of Japan. The following year, in May 2019, she secured another silver medal at the 2019 Asian-Pacific Judo Championships held in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, where she was defeated by Mao Izumi of Japan in the final. In 2021, she won another silver medal at the 2021 Asian-Oceania Judo Championships in Bishkek. She added a bronze medal to her collection at the 2022 Asian Judo Championships held in Nur-Sultan.

2.4. Olympic Games

Ma Zhenzhao has represented China at the Olympic Games. She competed in the women's 78 kg event at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, but was eliminated in her first match by Bernadette Graf of Austria. At the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, she achieved a significant milestone by winning a bronze medal in the women's 78 kg category.

2.5. International Tournaments (Grand Slam, Grand Prix, etc.)

Ma Zhenzhao has consistently achieved podium finishes in various IJF World Judo Tour events:

• 2016: Bronze medal at the Judo Grand Prix Qingdao.
• 2018: Bronze medal at the Judo Grand Slam Abu Dhabi.
• 2019: Bronze medal at the Judo Grand Prix Hohhot.
• 2021: Bronze medal at the Judo Grand Slam Tbilisi.
• 2022: Gold medal at the Judo Grand Slam Abu Dhabi.
• 2023: Bronze medal at the Judo Grand Slam Tashkent.
• 2024: Bronze medal at the Judo Grand Slam Antalya.
• 2024: Gold medal at the Judo Grand Slam Astana.

2.6. World Ranking

As of July 22, 2024, Ma Zhenzhao held the 27th position in the International Judo Federation (IJF) world rankings, having accumulated 1350 points.