Sarah Asahina triumphed in the women's over 78 kilogram category while Ryutaro Goto claimed victory in the men's under 100kg.

Japan's overall tally of 13 medals comprised seven gold, four silver and two bronze, putting them ahead of France, with one gold, two silver and five bronze, and Russia, with one gold, two silver and three bronze.

Asahina delivered an expert performance against Ukraine's Anastasiia Sapsai, throwing her opponent for ippon with an emphatic harai-goshi after only 24 seconds.

"I'm really happy because I was injured in March and I've worked hard to come back for this competition," said Asahina, who celebrated her 18th birthday last Wednesday (October 22).

"I am now looking forward to fighting at the Kodokan Cup and the Tokyo Grand Slam."

France's Marine Erb overcame Croatia's Ivana Sutalo in the first bronze medal match before Ecuador's Marlin Viveros won her country's first ever world medal at any level by beating South Korea's Mi Jin Han by ippon after 65 seconds.

Junior All Japan Championships silver medallist Goto defeated Russia's Niyaz Ilyasov, suggesting he could be a contender to fill the senior void for Japan in the under 100kg category.

Goto received a shido for going out of the area but went a waza-ari up after two minutes, which proved to be enough as the best Ilyasov could conjure up was a yuko score.

Compatriot Aaron Wolf defeated Croatia's Zlatko Kumric in the first bronze medal match before Russia's Ramazan Malsuigenov overcame Georgia's Guram Tushishvili in the second.

Japan's Ryutaro Goto (near) proved too strong for Russia's Niyaz Ilyasov in the men's under 100kg category ©IJF



Elsewhere on the penultimate day of the Championships, Tunisia's African Championships bronze medallist Sarra Mzougui beat France's Sama Hawa Camara to take the gold medal in the women's under 78 kg category. 

Mzougui was penalised with a shido for going out of the area before launching a ko-soto-gake, which earned waza-ari and advanced into osaekomi, to hold down her opponent for 15 seconds.

"I am very happy," said Mzougui.

"I worked really good with my Federation and my coach, Slah Rekik,"

Poland's Beata Pacut was victorious in the second bronze medal match against Germany's Anna Maria Wagner after Canada's Ana Laura Portuondo Isasi had comfortably seen off Hungary's Evelin Salanki.

In the men's 100kg category, Mongolia's Duurenbayar Ulziibayar improved on his silver medal from 2013 by beating Georgia's Guga Kibordzalidze, who tried osoto-gari but was dispatched by ippon, in the final.

"I've managed to win today because I've worked hard over the last year to improve my ability," said Ulziibayar.

"I've also worked with a psychologist to make sure my mind is focused on every fight and everything went well today."

France's Sama Hawa Camara (left), Tunisia's Sarra Mzougui (centre, left), Canada's Ana Laura Portuondo Isasi (centre, right) and Poland's Beata Pacut (right) celebrate their medals in the women's under 78kg category ©IJF



Ukraine's Anton Rudnyk was denied a place on the podium by Russia's Ruslan Shakhbazov in the first bronze medal match before fellow countryman Iakiv Khammo prevailed against Sweden's Sebastian Fagerhill.

The Championships is due to come to a close tomorrow as 18 nations compete in the men's team event and 16 teams do battle in the women's equivalent.

Reigning men's champions Georgia were drawn against Uzbekistan while Japan's women will start the defence of their crown against Great Britain.

Watch the latest action on Judo TV here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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