By Gary Anderson

November 29 - The first day of action in Tokyo saw hosts Japan dominate proceedings and claim all five gold medals © IJF Media by G. SabauIt was a memorable occasion for the fans packed into the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium today as all five gold medals on offer on the opening day of the Tokyo Grand Slam were snapped up by home competitors in a dominant display on the tatami.

Reigning world and Tokyo Grand Slam champion Naohisa Takato raised the biggest cheer from the fanatical support as he confirmed his status as one of the biggest stars in the sport following his win over South Korea's Kim Won Jin in the final of the men's under 60 kilogram category.

The 20-year-old performed a modified kata-guruma to clinch the gold and continue his fine run of success this year.

Shinji Kido and Toru Shishime completed an all-Japanese podium with wins in both bronze medal matches.

World Judo Masters silver medallist Tomofumi Takajo came out on top in the under 66kg final after Brazil's world number four Charles Chibana was penalised for passivity which ultimately cost him a shot at the title.

In the bronze medal match-ups it was France versus Japan in both contests with one victory apiece for David Larose and home favourite Ren Miyazaki.

Reigning world champion Naohisa Takato (second from left) retained his Tokyo Grand Slam title in impressive fashion © IJF Media by G. SabauReigning world champion Naohisa Takato (second from left) retained his Tokyo Grand Slam title in impressive fashion ©IJF Media

























Meanwhile, there were three women's categories decided on the day and once again it was the hosts who dominated.

A well executed foot sweep leading to ippon saw Ami Kondo confirm her rising profile against Mongolia's world champion Urantsetseg Munkhbat in the under 48kg final.

This time Japan shared the bronze medals with Brazil as two-time Asian champion Emi Yamagishi and Sarah Menezes took the honours.

Brazil also featured in the final of the under 52kg class but once again it was Japan that emerged victorious as World Championship bronze medallist and Paris Grand Slam winner Yuki Hashimoto had too much for world silver medallist Erika Miranda, catching her with an ouchi-gari for ippon inside 30 seconds.

On this occasion the hosts shared the bronze medals with Romania in the form of 19-year-old Ai Shishime and world number five Andreea Chitu.

American Marti Malloy (left) had no answer to Japan's Nae Udaka in the final of the under 57kg category © IJF Media by G. SabauAmerican Marti Malloy (left) had no answer to Japan's Nae Udaka in the final of the under 57kg category ©IJF Media

























The last women's final of the day was won by two-time Paris Grand Slam bronze medallist Nae Udaka whose ippon from an osoto-gari done the damage against American Marti Malloy in the under 57kg category.

A superb day for Japan was completed by bronze medal winners Anzu Yamamoto, who overcame the experienced Ketleyn Quadros of Brazil, while Christa Deguchi caused one of the biggest upsets of the day by defeating Brazil's reigning world champion Rafaela Silva.

Los Angeles 1984 gold medal winners Yasuhiro Yamashita and Shinji Hosokawa were among the crowd looking on at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium and they could not have failed to be impressed by the performance of their compatriots.

The competition in Tokyo continues through until Sunday (December 1).

To watch the latest action on Judo TV click here.

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