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Four stars for Japan at first day of Tokyo Grand Slam

Four stars for Japan at first day of Tokyo Grand Slam

5 Dec 2014 11:55
IJF Media Team / International Judo Federation

Like every other year, it's just impossible to be bored while Judo takes its place at the Tokyo Dome. The first winners of 2014 Tokyo Grand Slam are known. Four gold medals for Japan, Abe Hifumi U66kg, Ami Kondo U48kg, Yuki Hashimoto U52kg and as icing on the cake current Olympic Champion Kaori Matsumoto took the gold. Matsumoto defeated Monteiro for the 7th time and the fitfth time in a final.

The men's under 60kg category was won by Korean Won Jin Kim, who was better in final against Toru Shishime of Japan and showed awesome, but also tactical judo today.

 

Total domination and power demonstration to the world was shown by Japanese women. All Japan podium U52kg, four medals, all stay in Japan. On the top was already mentioned Yuki Hashimoto, silver Yuka Nishida and two bronze medals were won by Misato Nakamura and Ai Shishime. Another clean sweep for Japan, it's not the first time. But with this strong field it's quite a surprise. Note: without Kelmendi and Kuzyutina the world could have been less surprised.


The real spin in up to 66kg division. Without podium Georgii Zantaraia (UKR), current World Champion Mashashi Ebinuma (JPN), Alim Gadanov (RUS) and Elio Verde of Italy. Abe Hifumi was the best today in this category, the hardest challenge he had in the semi final against his compatriot Masashi Ebinuma but difference of one Wazari send him to final against Israeli Golan Pollack, who had a great day, but lost in the end.

 

Ami Kondo, experiences an unbelievable season. World Champion, World U21 Champion, winner of Grand Slam Tokyo. What a season this was for the 19-year old rookie who won today's gold medal in front of Olympic Champion Sarah Menezes (BRA) just like in Chelyabinsk earlier this year and again the Brazilian is not on the podium.

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