Genki Koga lives up to his family name for Japan

Japanese youngster Koga Genki, the son of 1992 Olympic champion and three-time world champion Koga Toshihiko, emerged triumphant on his first World Championships as he defeated 16-year-old 1st Kyu judoka Michael Marcelino (BRA) in the -60kg final.

Koga, East Asian Cadet Championships silver medallist, made a bright start with a strong string of ashi-waza attacks which after the final he said was the advice he received from his father on the phone on Wednesday. Both judoka worked hard but absorbed the best of each other’s attacks and the contest was decided on shido penalties with two against the Brazilian and one against the Japanese.

After stepping off the medal podium Koga said: “I felt a lot of pleasure but it is a very special feeling to win gold at this event. I have only fought abroad three times and even today I felt very nervous before the competition started.

“My dad said it is my first world competition and for me to be positive, not to be afraid of my opponent, to attack and not to be too nervous. I have many goals and the biggest one is to be Olympic champion at Tokyo 2020. I was proud to win Japan’s first gold medal here and we hope to do well in team competition.”

In the first semi-final Koga established his rhythm and looked comfortable on the tatami as he beat 15-year-old Jamoliddin Abdulloev (TJK) by ippon. In the second semi-final Marcelino (BRA) saw off former Cadet World silver medallist Robinzon Beglarashvili (GEO) on shido penalties after both judoka had registered a yuko when the contest concluded at the four minute mark.

The first bronze medal was won by Beglarashvili (GEO) who wasted no time in sealing his fate as he defeated 16-year-old Mahammad Hajiyev (AZE) by ippon after only 10 seconds. The second bronze medal was won by Cadet European Championships silver medallist Akhmed Bogatyrev (RUS) who was successful against Abdulloev (TJK). Bogatyrev trapped his opponent in osaekomi with ushiro-kesa-gatame for 15 seconds for his second and match-winning waza-ari score with two minutes on the clock.