The judo Grand Slam for this year is coming to an end. In Tokyo, spectators once again experienced the finest in martial arts.

This Sunday it was time for the second day of the Judo Grand Prix in Tokyo. In the Japanese capital, the 2023 Grand Slam series is entering the home stretch. And it is once again a showcase for the best athletes in this martial art.

In the -100 kilogram weight category, Matvey Kanikovskiy started the final in top form, winning gold with an ippon in Tokyo – it was his third Grand Slam title this year.

The crowd favorite Abe Uta ended the final in the -52 kilogram category with an ippon in the first minute. The spectators were thrilled, of course, as was the athlete: “This is the only international event in Japan, so it’s important that we show the world the real Japanese judo. I believe that I can improve and take a step forward right now. That’s why it’s great for me personally to win here.”

After that, it was the turn of her brother Abe Hifumi, who also put in a great fight and ensured that the two siblings are the stars in Tokyo with another ippon.

In the -78 kilogram class, Mayra Aguiar of Brazil scored a waza-ari to win her first gold medal in Tokyo.

In the 60-kilogram weight class, Nagayama Ryuju won the all-Japanese final against Olympic champion Takato Naohisa to take gold.

Miku Takaichi fought for the glory of Tokyo in the 63-kilogram weight class to the cheers of her fans.

World champion Natsumi Tsunoda of Japan won in the -48 kg class against Julia Figueroa of Spain, taking her second gold in Tokyo.

In the +100 kg class, Tamerlan Bashaev took the title with an ippon against South Korean Kim Minkjong.

The athletes scored plenty of ippons in Tokyo. And Japanese legends Chizuru Arai and Shohei Ono took to the tatami against some of their former rivals. A great and inspiring moment for all children hoping for a golden judo career.

The Tokyo Grand Slam is now over, it was the last World Cup event for 2023. To be continued next year!