Sanshiro Murao wins second straight world judo title in men's 90kg division
In short
Sanshiro Murao (村尾三四郎) won his second consecutive men's 90kg world judo title in Baku on October 8. He defeated fellow Japanese judoka Goki Tajima (田嶋剛希) by ippon in a repeat of last year's final.
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Sanshiro Murao (村尾三四郎) won the men's 90kg title at the world judo championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, on October 8. The Paris Olympic silver medalist defeated Goki Tajima (田嶋剛希), the 2024 world champion, by ippon in the final to claim his second consecutive title. Tajima had also lost to Murao in last year's final. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Murao won all five bouts without conceding a point, Sankei and Nikkei reported. In the third round he defeated Georgia's Lasha Bekauri, a two-time Olympic champion, by ippon. Yomiuri said Murao had lost their five previous meetings, including the Paris Olympic final, and had also lost to Tajima at the All Japan Championships in April. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Defending women's 70kg champion Shiho Tanaka (田中志歩) lost to Germany's Giovanna Scoccimarro in the third round after extra time. Yomiuri reported that she was disqualified for receiving three penalties. Spain's Ai Tsunoda won her first title in the division, Sankei and Nikkei reported. Nikkei said Japan had won four women's divisions and three men's divisions by the end of day five. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
Murao retained the title without conceding a point across five bouts, according to the reports. Japan had won four women's divisions and three men's divisions by the end of the fifth day, Nikkei reported.
Key facts
- Murao won the men's 90kg title for a second consecutive year. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- He beat 2024 champion Tajima by ippon in the final. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Murao defeated Lasha Bekauri in the third round and conceded no points in five bouts. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Defending women's 70kg champion Shiho Tanaka (田中志歩) lost in the third round. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]