Surprises all over at day 5 of the Worlds

Spanish World champion Nikoloz Sherazadishvili lost his second match against Axel Clerget (FRA) by a waza-ari score. The Spaniard failed to sparke in Tokyo and exited early on as a host of big names were shocked in the morning session on day five.

Clerget fell to Zagreb Grand Prix bronze medallist Noel van ‘t End (NED) in a hard-fought encounter as the Dutchman starred in pool A.

Former world champion Nemanja Majdov (SRB) showed his quality as he worked his way into the last four in front of his dad who had the best view in the arena as his matside coach. The Serbian meets Van ‘t End this evening for a spot in the World Championships final and Majdov defeated Van ‘t End in 2017 but that was another time.

Marcus Nyman (SWE) unexpectedly progressed in the last four after winning five contests in a row. Nyman defeated Toth Krisztian (HUN) in the quarter-finals to book a clash with home favourite Mukai Shoichiro (JPN) for a place in the final. Mukai beat Silva Morales (CUB) with a textbook ko-uchi-gari for ippon in his quarter-final. Nyman already retired twice but is in the best form of his life. Sweden never had a male medallist at world championships.

Women U70kg

World champion Arai Chizuru (JPN) was a shock casualty as she conceded her crown in the preliminary session. Arai lost to Barbara Timo (POR) in round three by a waza-ari score to open up the category. The Portuguese, who previously represented Brazil, was a surprise semi-finalist. Portugal had Joana Ramos at day 2 successful with a fifth place. Telma Monteiro was the last woman to medal in 2014.

European Games winner Margaux Pinot (FRA) led the way in pool B as she won her four contests to charge into the last four.

Marie Eve Gahie (FRA) eased into the semi-finals after going three for three to create the possibility of an all-French final.

Olympic bronze medallist Sally Conway (GBR) claimed the fourth pool after all of the build-up in Britain had been focused around her teammate Gemma Howell (GBR) – who fell to Pinot in her opening contest - who had won her last two events. Gaie and Conway met so many times. Watch all Headh2Heads here in our head2heads pages