This team competition rounds off a memorable week of judo in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan.
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After four days of individual competition, the capital of Tajikistan, Dushanbe, hosted the World Junior Mixed Team Judo Championships on Sunday.
This competition is a unique event of its kind, which sees teams of 6 judokas, three women and three men, compete against each other. And like every year, the atmosphere was electric!
South Korea’s quick win over Mongolia for bronze medal
In the first fight for the bronze medal, the Republic of Korea faced the Mongolian team.
The Korean judokas, in great form, won a quick 4-0 victory.
An epic match between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan
The Tajik crowd was on their feet for the next match, which pitted their close neighbor Uzbekistan against Azerbaijan for the other bronze medal.
Despite a good effort from the Azerbaijani judokas, it was ultimately Uzbekistan who won the victory and the other bronze medal when Mardon Ravshanov beat her Vusal Galandarzade in the decisive fight.
A memorable final between the Japanese and French rivals
The final between France and Japan, eternal rivals, promised to be a great classic!
The reigning world champion Melkia Auchecorne kicked off for France by scoring an ippon against Rin Maeda.
More Komei Kawabata equalized at 1-1 against Ivan Chernyshenko.
The match once again turned in favor of France thanks to Celia Cancan who won with two Waza-Ari against Chihiro Yamaguchi.
But, after Nozomu Miki won a close fight against Maxence Bordinand the victory of Rico Honda by Waza-ari against Alya De CarvalhoIt is Keito Kihara who won the fourth and decisive victory against Peter Jean !
Final result: 4-2!
Japan thus defends its title of junior mixed team world champion. Japanese judo is in good hands with these exceptional young athletes.
The medals were presented by Armen Bagdasarovdirector of refereeing of the International Judo Federation.
Et Ismail Mahmadzoirpresident of the Judo Federation of Tajikistan, presented their trophy to the champions.
ADVERTISEMENT“I really gave everything to win this match!”declared Keito Kihara after this spectacular victory.
So here we are at the end of an exceptional week of judo in Dushanbe.
