Gold for Brazil and Mongolia on Day Three at Judo World Championships in Tashkent

The incredible momentum of the World Judo Championships continued on day three in Tashkent: the International Judo Federation’s flagship event was a hive of activity, as both locals and fans who have travelled to see the stars in action, awaited excitedly for what promised to be another a phenomenal day of Judo.

In the -57kg contest, Rafaela Silva, Brazil’s 2016 Olympic and 2013 World Champion was on fire all day. Despatching, Bulgaria’s Ivelina Ilieva and Israel’s Nelson Levy on the way to the final.

There she would face Funakubo Haruka - whose typically Japanese domination on the floor earnt her spot in the final.

But it was Silva with another dynamic Uchi-mata who took the world title. Nine years on from her previous triumph, the raw emotion was there to see.

Kit McConnell, the International Olympic Committee Sports Director, awarded the medals.

"When I was hugging my coach," Silva said afterwards. "I actually couldn’t believe that I had become World Champion again. And she was saying to me ‘You did it, it’s real, this moment is real! You did it again' "

Hashimoto Soichi looked in form in the -73kg category, the 2017 World Champion defeating Georgian legend and reigning World Champion Lasha Shavdatuashvili on the way to the final, cheered on by his family.

There he met Mongolia’s Olympic Bronze Medallist Tsogtbaatar Tsend-Ochir, a move against Canada’s Arthur Margelidon the highlight of his path to the final.

And a lightning-fast counter saw Tsend-Ochir win Mongolia’s first World title since 2017. After the first edition of the Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam in June, this has been a fantastic year for Mongolian Judo.

Max-Hervé George, Ultima Group CEO, awarded the medals and the former President of Mongolia, and the President of the