Shiho Tanaka completes Japanese dominance in Mongolia

Like the three other categories of the day, Japan once again placed an athlete in the final. This year, Shiho Tanaka had not yet participated in an international tournament. Tanaka qualified for the final in her half of the draw, that should have been dominated by the powerful Elisavet Teltsidou, winner in Kazakhstan a week ago.

It was a tense and tight final, which was ultimately won by Tanaka by penalty. This added one more gold medal for Japan and the harvest was not over yet.

Olympic medallist in Tokyo in 2021, Madina Taimazova (AIN) had hoped to reach the final, but it was once again Shiho Tanaka who foiled all plans by eliminating her in the semi-finals.

We could almost forget that Lara Cvjetko (CRO), second in the World Judo Championships - Tashkent 2022, behind her compatriot, Barbara Matic, was the number one seed of the tournament in Mongolia. If other seeds had serious difficulties, discreetly but surely, Lara Cvjetko qualified for the final to face Tanaka.

Daria Khramoikina (AIN) and Madina Taimazova (AIN) qualified for a place on the podium. With Daria Khramoikina being unable to compete, the bronze medal went to Madina Taimazova.

Elisavet Teltsidou (GRE) was still in the hunt for a medal against Maya Goshen (ISR), but unfortunately for her, the Israeli judoka wanted it more today. The bronze medal went to Maya Goshen, the second bronze medal at that level of competition.