Judo returns to Japan finding great success at home

Judo returned home for the first time since last year’s Olympic Games for the prestigious Tokyo Grand Slam.

A sold-out local crowd came to cheer on their judo heroes and Japan dominated the day’s competition.

The under 57kg category saw an all-Japanese final, with World Silver medallist Haruka Funakubo, against former World Champion Tsukasa Yoshida.

A brilliantly-executed turnover saw Funakubo hold down Yoshida to stake her claim as the new number one in Japan.

Her Imperial Highness Princess Tomohito of Mikasa awarded the medals

The under 73kg category saw another all-Japanese final with another former World Champion, Soichi Hashimoto, defeating up-and-coming Hayato Koga after an epic contest that went into golden score.

Soichi said he could feel the support of the audience. "Yes I was able to do my tai-otoshi, and I thought it was a perfect moment and technique. I could feel the crowd here and viewers at home supporting me," said Soichi.

Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office of Hungary, His Excellency Dr. Gergely Gulyás, awarded the medals

The under 63kg category saw yet another Japan vs Japan final where four-time World Medallist Miku Takaichi defeated youngster Seiko Watanabe in a tactical battle.

She was awarded her medal by Mr. Marius Vizer, IJF President.

The home team’s dominance continued as a fourth Japanese final took place at the under 81kg class, with current Olympic Champion Takanori Nagase looking to cement his place as number one against compatriot Kenya Kohara, but Kohara had other ideas.

A clever sacrifice technique saw the underdog defeat the Olympic Champion. Kohara was elated.

Mr. Ernö Schaller-Baross, European Parliament Member awarded the medals.

In the under 70kgs class, the international Judoka broke