Judo Grand Slam in Tokyo: A perfect first day for Japan!

The Japanese judokas won all seven gold medals on the first day of the Tokyo Grand Slam, which will conclude the 2024 World Judo Tour.

Transcript

00:00Welcome to Tokyo, the spiritual home of Judo and the venue for the last Grand Slam of the

00:07IGF's 2024 World Judo Tour. In the under 48kg category, Koga Wakana faced Kondo Mitsuki

00:16and it was Koga who took a narrow victory, scoring a Wazaari in Golden Score. Mr. Marius

00:23Visa, IGF President, was on hand to award the medals.

00:33We are hosting this tournament in my country and there are lots of fans and supporters

00:37that are giving warm support to me. So that really gives me good strength and I want their

00:44support.

00:45At under 60kg, last year's winner, Nagayama Ryujo, took on Taiki Nakamura. Nakamura out

00:53attacked his more experienced compatriot to take the gold by Shido's. He was awarded

00:59his medal by Mr. Shinichi Nakamura, All Japan Judo Federation President.

01:09My friends from high school have come to watch this tournament. I'm originally from the countryside

01:14of Yamanashi Prefecture and it's really cool to say that a superhero is born from the countryside

01:21of Yamanashi Prefecture.

01:30At under 52kg, a moment of brilliance from Kisumi Omori saw her take the title. Mr. Haruki

01:38Yuemura, Kodokan President, awarded the gold.

01:42At under 66kg, Takeoka Takeshi took on Taeko Fujisaka and took gold in style. The medals

01:50were awarded by Mr. Obaid Alanzi, IGF Vice President.

01:56At under 57kg, two Japanese youngsters, Megumi Fushida and Mika Adashi, faced off in the

02:03final. A close contest was settled by Awazari for Adashi. She was awarded the gold medal

02:11by Mr. Arman Bagdasarov, the IGF Head Referee Director.

02:18At under 73kg, young gun Ryuga Tanaka powered his way to gold. He was awarded his medal

02:26by Mr. Mohamed Meridia, the IJF Education and Coaching Director.

02:31At under 63kg, Haruka Kaju overcame Megu Dano on penalties. She was awarded the gold medal

02:39by Mr. Ju Jin-san, Vice President of the Chinese Olympic Committee.

02:44Japan had a day to remember. Seven out of seven gold and some breathtaking judo from

02:50their all-star team. Tokyo is ready to end the 2024 judo calendar in style tomorrow.