President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides watched on Sunday in Paris the match of Cypriot judoka Sofia Asvesta, saying he was proud of her effort. Asvesta, with a waza-ari move over Moroccan Soumiya Iraoui, entered the "16" finalists of the world in the -52 kg category and had a match against French holder of two Olympic medals (silver and gold), Amandine Bouchard, losing by an 'ippon' in the final stages of the match. The Cypriot champion achieved the first victory of Cypriot judo at Olympic Games after 1992 and the 5th in history. After the match, that took place at the Champ-de-Mars Arena, the President of the Republic held a meeting with the Cypriot athlete and her coach during which he congratulated both on the effort. "We are proud of Sofia, not only because she qualified for the "16" but facing the French athlete in a field full of French, she came very close to qualifying" he told the press team of the Cyprus Olympic Committee. President Christodoulides said that at 24 years old, for the fi rst time in Olympic Games she managed to be in the first "16" and compete in France against a French athlete, adding that "I think she is already a winner. We are very proud." Asvesta said she was satisfied with her performance, adding that she hopes for medals in the future. "I did very well and the experience was very nice. Playing with the top athlete and in her country was a different pressure", she said. Source: Cyprus News Agency