Araki adds to Japanese gold medal haul in Zagreb

Araki Honoka was crowned the Junior world champion in Zagreb on Friday after remaining undefeated in the U63kg category. All Japan Junior Championships winner Araki extended Japan’s gold medal haul towards double figures by beating Junior European Championships winner Sanne Vermeer (NED) by a waza-ari score.

In the first semi-final Junior European Cup winner Clemence Eme (FRA) fell to 19-year-old Araki Honoka (JPN) who opened the scoring with a harai-makikomi for a waza-ari and made her French opponent submit under extreme pressure from osaekomi-waza. In the second semi-final Vermeer (NED) defeated two-time Grand Prix bronze medallist Lubjana Piovesana (GBR). The Dutch judoka forced her exhausted British opponent to tap out from a hold down to advance into the gold medal contest.

The first bronze medal was won by Piovesana who defeated Belgrade European Open bronze medallist Jovana Obradovic (SRB) to open her country’s medal account in Zagreb. Piovesana finished fifth at the last Junior Worlds but won her bronze medal contest this time in golden score when Obradovic received her third shido for passivity.

The second bronze medal was won by EME who edged past teammate and French Junior Championships bronze medallist Yasmine Horlaville (FRA) in golden score by a waza-ari score.

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