The judo world meets in Tokyo this weekend. For the Japanese athletes, it is a home game. And they showed this with special throws.
In Tokyo, Japan, the Judo Grand Slam for 2023 is slowly approaching the home straight. Japan is home to such a diverse sport, so it’s clear that the athletes here are doubly motivated.
More than 500 athletes from over 80 nations will be competing at the two-day World Cup in the Japanese capital
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In the 73 kilogram category, Hidayat Heydarov won the gold medal. He delivered a brilliant waza-ari against local hero Tanaka Shiho – and this throw secured 1st place for the judoka from Azerbaijan.
It is something special to fight in Tokyo, Heydarov said later. “I have never competed at a Grand Slam in Tokyo before. I have now won a medal at the World Championships. And to do so in the final against a Japanese player, even though I’ve lost to him many times before, is a very special feeling. “
The world’s top-ranked athlete appears to be at the peak of his form – Hidayat Heydarov
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In the weight class up to 57 kilograms, Canada’s Christa Deguchi showed with an ippon in the final who should win gold today. Silver went to Jéssica Lima from Brazil. “When I was little, I used to run around up here to get signatures. Now I’m on the athletes’ side and can sign autographs,” said a delighted Deguchi. “I hope I can be someone’s dream. Maybe the little kids can fight here in the future. That would really make me happy.”
In the over 78 kilogram class, Japan’s Mao Arai was unbeatable. She finally defeated France’s Léa Fontaine with outstanding ground work.
In the weight class up to 81 kilograms, Joonhwan Lee from South Korea faced Matthias Casse in the final. The Belgian put up a tough fight, but a waza-ari was enough for Lee to take gold.
An ippon from Sanshiro Murao in the 90 kilogram weight class against Luka Maisuradze from Georgia gave the Japanese fighter gold – and in front of his home crowd.
Current World Master, Van Dijke, proves her mastery in Tokyo
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In the up to 70 kilogram class, Sanne Van Dijke from the Netherlands beat Tanaka Shiho from Japan by golden score to take first place.
The Japanese team was highly motivated. Ippon after ippon thrilled the spectators. That’s it for today from Tokyo, we’ll continue with the second day on Sunday