The final day of the Tokyo Grand Slam concludes the 2024 World Tour of the International Judo Federation (IJF).
As the crowds poured into the Tokyo Metropolitan gymnasium, a special treat awaited the young fans in attendance, as two of them got a once in a lifetime opportunity to go head to head with two Olympic Champions, Tsunoda Natsumi and Nagase Takanori.
In the medal matches, the - 81 kg category saw Fujiwara Sotaro get Japan off to the perfect start.
Mr Vlad Marinescu, IJF Director General, was on hand to award the medals.
At -70 kg Mayu Honda left it until deep into golden score to throw her compatriot for ippon.
She was awarded her medal by Olympic Champion Mr Kosei Inoue.
At -90 kg an excellent waza-ari from Sanshiro Murao saw him claim the title and end the hopes of Georgia’s Luka Maisuradze.
Mr Almaz Alsenov Harvest Group CEO awarded the gold.
At -78 kg Kurena Ikeda took the win with some brilliant ground work.
The medals were awarded by IJF Sport Director Mr Skander Hachicha.
In the -100 kg, Matvey Kanikovskiy cleverly armlocked Italy’s Pirelli to take the Tokyo title.
He was awarded the gold medal by Mr Sergey Soloveychik Russian Judo Federation President.
In the +78 kg category Mao Arai was imperious. A hold down for gold.
She was awarded her medal by Mr Silvio Acacio Borges, President of Brazilian Judo.
In the +100 kg it was Kanta Nakano who eventually came out on top with this Uchi-Mata.
He was awarded the gold medal by Mr Shin Koyamada Guardian Girls International CEO
The Japanese judokas overwhelmingly dominated the two days of the Tokyo Grand Slam, which marks the end of the 2024 season of the International Judo Federation.
See you in 2025 for more memorable competitions in the world of judo.
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