Junior World champion Nagayama Ryuju steals the show U60kg

Junior world champion Nagayama Ryuju shocked Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medallist Takato Naohisa to win U60kg gold on day one in Tokyo. The teammates who train together every day at Tokai University met in one of Japan’s four finals as Nagayama threw spectacularly with an uchi-mata for ippon with 44 seconds remaining as he lifted up Takato from his knees and over onto this back. The silver medallist gave Nagayama a pat on his back after the contested was awarded and both judoka will be in contention in 2017 on the IJF World Judo Tour.

In the first semi-final Junior world champion Nagayama Ryuju (JPN) controlled London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Felipe Kitadai (BRA) for all five minutes. Nagayama scored two yukos without reply and it could have been more as the Brazilian Kitadai was thrown repeatedly as only his acrobatic skills helped him to evade giving away any further scores. The fearless Nagayama moved on to the final while Kitadai turned his attention to a tilt at bronze. 

In the second semi-final Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medallist Takato Naohisa (JPN) defeated Zagreb Grand Prix silver medallist Robert Mshvidobadze (RUS) after two minutes of golden score. The Tokai University judoka showed quick feet to wobble the Russian and followed up with his upper body strength to send Mshvidobadze over for the smallest score and the familiar smile of Takato showed his pleasure as he advanced to the final. 

The first bronze medal was won by Mshvidobadze who threw number one seed Dashdavaa Amartuvshin (MGL) for the maximum score with a drop seoi-nage in the closing seconds. The Russian fighter led by a waza-ari from a foot sweep and won his second Grand Slam bronze with a powerful shoulder throw on the edge of the tatami to become the first European medallist on day one. The second bronze medal was claimed by former Qingdao Grand Prix winner Choi In Hyuk (KOR) who beat Kitadai by a yuko to grace a Grand Slam podium for the first time. The South Korean number two, who is behind Rio 2016 Olympian Kim Won-Jin, claimed the contest by a yuko score which was the only time the scoreboard was called into action