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Kazachstan, Mongolia and Japan win gold at Asian Championships

Kazachstan, Mongolia and Japan win gold at Asian Championships

15 Apr 2016 17:25
Roland Ferenci #RIP

At the first day of the Asian Championships in Tashkent in Uzbekistan, Kazachstan was successful with three gold medals. World Champion Yeldos Smetov proved he is still among the best fighters of the world and grabbed the title U60kg in the final against Diyorbek Urozboev from host nation Uzbekistan. The female lightweight Otgontsetseg Galbadrakh, formerly fighting for Mongolia is now taking part at the Olympics for Kazachstan. She switched due to the competition with Urantsetseg Munkhbat, who was her opponent in today’s final. Galbadrakh defeated Munkhbat once again like in Paris and Duesseldorf this year.

Mongolia did what was expected, taking two gold medals. With a strong team that is expected at the Olympic Games in Rio Mongolia won three categories at the first day, much better than last year with one medal. Korea that is leading in some categories in the World Ranking wasn’t successful today with just a silver medal for Kim Jan-Di U57kg. Sumiya Dorjsuren of Mongolia was the expected winner U57kg. Korea’s World Champion An Ba-Ul didn’t fight although he is present.

In the category for men U66kg the gold was for Altansukh Dovdon, the silver medallist in Samsun two weeks ago. In the final he defeated the surprising Iranian new star Alireza Khojasteh, a 19-year youngster who competed at the World Junior Championships. Marian Urdabayeva was the surprise of the day. She won the title U63kg in the final against Megumi Tsugane of Japan. Last year Urdabayeva won bronze and after ten years of international judo she takes the crown.

Japan that started with second team, still has enough choice and with new Asian Champion Ai Shishime U52kg and men U73kg Soichi Hashimoto they have enough power to shine at these Asian Championships. Soichi Hashimoto defeated home favourite Didar Khamza (KAZ). Ai Shishime was able to keep defending champion Ma Yingnan (CHN) at a distance.

Mirali Sharipov (U73kg) took a bronze medal for the host nation aslongside with silver for Diyorbek Urozboev.

Last year Japan won three gold medals at the first day. On Saturday more action from Tashkent.

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