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Rika Takayama outperformer in surprising category U78kg

Rika Takayama outperformer in surprising category U78kg

4 Dec 2022 17:00
IJF Media team by Nicolas Messner and JudoInside
IJF Emanuele Di Feliciantonio / International Judo Federation

The women’s class U78kg had a quality field in Tokyo. Concentration is required and by Shori Hamada, the current Olympic champion, who was opposed to her teammate Rika Takayama in the final.

It seemed that no-one could stop Hamada today, who, like during the Olympic Games last year, was perfectly in line and ready to face everyone, but Rika Takayama had another idea in mind, aiming to catch Hamada with her own games. She pinned her down after a beautiful moment of groundwork for ippon.

The first bronze medal contest opposed Natascha Ausma (NED) and Anna-Maria Wagner (GER) while in the second Mami Umeki (JPN) competed against Jeongyun Kim (KOR). The bronze medals went to Mami Umeki (JPN) and Natasha Ausma (NED) who defeated the former World Champion Anna-Maria Wagner (GER) who arrived after a disappointing performance at the World Championships in Tashkent in October. Although the defending champion, she could not do better than a seventh place, which was certainly not the objective, but she also stands on two grand slam victories this season, in Tbilisi in Georgia and in Antalya in Turkiye, enough to give her hope of a new high performance.

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