3 min to read
Posted on

Qatar: Last day of the World Judo Championships: Gold medal for Japan in the mixed team competition.

On the 8th and final day of the World Judo Championships in Doha, Japan beat France in the mixed team competition to lift the gold trophy.

Sunday was the day. On the last day of the World Judo Championships in the Qatari capital Doha, local and international judo fans flocked to the ABHA Arena. The mixed team competition took place there.

There was pure action all week, with an incredible supporting programme of local culture and true judo values. The IJF also supported a refugee team at the tournament.

In every Mixed Team World Championships, judo giants Japan have been in the final, and since 2018, the Japanese have met the strong French every time. Japan wanted to keep first place no matter what.

But the French were determined. With a brilliant team, they worked hard throughout the preliminary round and secured a place in a dream final with Japan.

In the final, France took an early lead – Joan-Benjamin Gaba scored a big ippon against Soichi Hashimoto to the delight of the crowd, and Margaux Pinot forced world champion Saki Niizoe to retire. France were now leading by 2 points.

Japan’s Tajima Goki scored a big waza-ari to keep his team’s hopes alive and the crowd excited.

Coralie Haymé raised the score again for France. But Saito Tatsuru did the same for Japan.

Sarah-Leonie Cysique led her fight with an early waza-ari and it looked like France would take the title, but Haruka Funakubo put a spanner in their works. She held Cysique down to leave Japan and France tied at 3-3.

Japan's Haruka Funakubo battles France's Sarah Leonie Cysique
Japan’s Haruka Funakubo battles France’s Sarah Leonie Cysique

The draw was a matter of luck. Margaux Pinot battled Niiozoe Saki for the World Mixed Team title. With a tactical victory in the Golden Score, Team Japan secured the gold medal.

Qatar Olympic Committee President Sheich Joaan Al Thani presents the gold trophy. IFJ President Marius Vizer presents the gold medals.

“When we drew the categories, I kind of knew it would be in the under 70KG class, so I was ready,” said Niizoe Saki. Judoka Tatsuru Saito also commented on the moment he stuck confetti on his face for fun: “It was a joke of mine. I’m just a kid at heart. “

The Japanese team celebrates together with the Georgian and French teams
The Japanese team celebrates together with the Georgian and French teams

There was so much friendship, honour and respect on display. The mixed team competition would not work without the values of judo. The 2023 World Judo Championships have come to an exciting end in Doha, Qatar.

By Jennifer