Double gold for japanese teams at FISU Universiade Chengdu

Japan's dominance in judo was on full display at the Chengdu FISU World University Games, as they secured both the women's and men's team gold medals, further solidifying their reputation as a powerhouse in the sport. Throughout the tournament, Japan showcased their exceptional skills and mental discipline, claiming a staggering total of 15 medals, 11 of which were gold.

In the women's competition, Yamaguchi Kirari played a pivotal role in Japan's success. Having already clinched an individual gold in the women's U63kg class, she joined forces with Omori Akari, Honda Mayu, and Arai Mao to secure yet another triumphant victory in the team event. The 18-year-old Yamaguchi expressed the significance of winning the team competition, highlighting the importance of adding to her individual medal achievements.

Although Japan's strength in judo is no surprise given its origins in the country, other nations put up a valiant fight. Germany emerged as the runner-up, acknowledging Japan's reputation as nearly unbeatable but also recognizing their potential as a strong adversary. Samira Bock of Germany, who claimed silver in the individual -70kg category, emphasized the differences in styles between European judo and that of the Japanese, attributing their success to relentless training and mental preparation.

In the men's division, Japan's prowess was equally impressive. Tatsuki Ishihara, Taiki Nakamura, Yoshito Hojo, Yuta Nakamura, and Kazuki Nakanishi, all individual medallists in Chengdu, showcased remarkable resilience and overcame the challenge posed by Uzbekistan in the final. Nakanishi, thrilled with his first international victory, described his pursuit of gold as a personal warfare, reflecting the fierce determination displayed by the Japanese team that consisted of Juniors that appeared at the last World Championships. An intense final were Japan lost its first contest but soon got more grip during the second encounter and then took a convincing victory for gold.

Uzbekistan finished with silver after they seemed to go for a surprise. Republic of Korea defeated the team of Italy, and Azerbaijan demonstrated their talent in all age categories and took its first ever bronze medal in the history of these games. It was Azerbaijan’s most successful edition anyway.

Japan ultimately proved to be an insurmountable obstacle, securing their position at the top of the podium in both the women's and men's events. The tournament showcased Japan's rich judo heritage on the world stage whoever they send.