World Judo Championships: Comprehensive Success for Japan
Japan's Uta Abe (top) vies for victory against Sofia Asvesta of Cyprus in a second-round match in the women's 52-kg division at the 2025 World Judo Championships on June 14, 2025, in Budapest. (©KYODO)
Individual success and stellar across-the-board results highlighted Japan's overall performance at the 2025 World Judo Championships. The competition wrapped up on Friday, June 20, in Budapest.
Japan finished No 1 on the medal table with 15 (six gold, four silver, five bronze), collecting more medals than the second- and third-place teams combined. The International Judo Federation squad, composed of Russians, and Georgia had five medals apiece, with the former placing second with three gold medals and the latter winning two.
Russian judoka competed as International Judo Federation athletes due to continuing sanctions imposed on the country following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
At the 2024 World Judo Championships, held in May, just weeks before the Paris Olympics, Japan amassed 10 medals, including four gold, in Dubai. A number of top judoka, including four-time world champion Hifumi Abe, skipped the tournament ― avoiding the risk of injury before the Olympics was one factor.
At the 2023 World Judo Championships, Japan claimed 11 medals (five gold, two silver and four bronze) in Doha. Ryuju Nagayama, men's 60-kg division world champion. (KYODO)
Japan's Ryuju Nagayama captured the world title in the men's 60-kg division on Friday, June 13, the opening day of the 2025 global meet.
The veteran judoka, who turned 29 in April, was a runner-up in the same weight class at the world championships in 2018 and '19.
This time, Nagayama won his first gold at the world championships. He went 5-0 en route to the title, capping off his impressive day with a convincing win by ippon over France's Romain Valadier-Picard.
"I finally became a champion," Nagayama was quoted as saying by Kyodo News before adding, "I wasn't in good form, but I managed to fight calmly."
Nagayama insisted he has bigger objectives after becoming the world champion.
"This isn't my goal," the Hokkaido Prefecture native said. "I only think about winning gold at the Los Angeles Olympics and will work hard toward the next tournament." Japan's Sanshiro Murao (left) competes against compatriot Goki Tajima in the men's 90-kg division final on June 17. (KYODO)
Also collecting their first individual world titles for Japan at the Laszlo Papp Budapest Sports Arena were Takeshi Takeoka (men's 66-kg division), Sanshiro Murao (men's 90 kg), Haruka Kaju (women's 63 kg) and Shiho Tanaka (women's 70 kg).
Takeoka, who is 26, feels a sense of duty moving forward to be a strong competitor.
"Other athletes will be studying me because of this result, so I need to keep improving and not get complacent," Takeoka said, according to Kyodo News. Shiho Tanaka faces Croatia's Lara Cvjetko in the women's 70-kg final on June 17. (KYODO)
In the under 90-kg weight class final, Murao faced compatriot Goki Kajima, who entered the tourney as the defending world champ. The all-Japan final went into overtime, with Murao securing the win by capitalizing on Kajima's passivity (three shido penalty violations).
Murao, the 2024 Olympic silver medalist, shared his exhilaration in an Instagram post after winning the world title.
"Thank you so much for all your support and encouragement," wrote Murao. "I have achieved my goal since I was a little kid, and I feel happy that I have believed in myself and made it this far."
He added, "I will do my best again to reach even higher and stronger." Uta Abe reacts after beating Kosovo's Distria Krasniqi in the women's 52-kg final at the 2025 World Judo Championships on June 14 in Budapest. (KYODO)
Uta Abe returned to the world championships for the first time in two years, and her performance concluded with a familiar sight. The Kobe native was awarded the gold medal in the women's 52-kg division for the fifth time on Saturday, June 14.
Abe defeated Kazakhstan's Distria Krasniqi, the 2024 Olympic silver medalist, by ippon in the final minute of their title match. Aggressive tactics paid off for Abe, who suffered a shock defeat in the second round at the Paris Games and fell short of her goal of defending her Olympic title in France. Uta Abe (KYODO)
"It took me a long time to want to be on the world championships stage," Uta Abe said, according to Jiji Press, describing her emotional state after losing in Paris. She called it "a very difficult year."
In Budapest, she lived up to the challenge and vanquished all of her foes.
"I was able to do it without feeling fear," Uta Abe told reporters.
Highlighting her focus in the title match, she added, "My plan today was to do my own judo and no matter who I would meet, the only goal was to win." In the men's 66-kg quarterfinals, Tajikistan's Obid Dzhebov (left) faces Hifumi Abe on June 14. (KYODO)
Also on June 14, two-time Olympic gold medalist Hifumi Abe, Uta's older brother, was knocked out of title contention with an upset loss to Tajikistan's Obid Dzhebov in the 66-kg quarterfinals.
It was his first loss in an individual event against an international opponent since 2019. To his credit, Hifumi Abe bounced back with two wins to secure a bronze medal.
Like Nagayama, Hifumi Abe viewed the Budapest competition as a building block for a future marquee event.
"I think I get stronger by getting beaten," Abe said, according to Kyodo News. "Looking ahead to the Los Angeles Olympics, I don't want to waste this defeat."
The four-time world champion continued: "It was positive that I managed to compete at the worlds less than a year after the Paris Olympics."
Japan had to settle for bronze in the mixed team event after losing 4-2 to Georgia in the semifinals on Saturday, June 20. Then, in a third-place match, Japan swept Brazil, winning 4-0. Georgia outlasted South Korea to win the gold, and Germany triumphed over Italy for the other bronze. Ichiro Suzuki in a June 2012 file photo. (KYODO)
The Seattle Mariners have started a social media campaign to collect baseball fans' stories about Ichiro Suzuki.
This initiative was launched just weeks before his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
The Mariners, for whom Ichiro played during the majority of his 19-season MLB career, are collecting fans' insights about the legendary outfielder.
An announcement was made on the team's social media platforms on Thursday, June 19.
"Here's your chance to tell us what Ichiro means to you," the team posted on its Instagram account.
"We're inviting you to share your stories about Ichiro — send us a letter, leave a voicemail or submit video for the chance to be featured in a Mariners video."
Check out full details at Mariners.com/DearIchiro.
The Baseball Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony will be held on July 27.
In other MLB news, Los Angeles Dodgers starter Roki Sasaki, was transferred from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Friday. He's sidelined with a right shoulder injury, though he resumed throwing from 60 to 90 feet during a team workout on Friday, The Associated Press reported. EDITORIAL | The Incomparable Ichiro Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame Hokkaido Nipponham Fighters starter Koki Kitayama pitches against the Yomiuri Giants on June 19 at Tokyo Dome. (KYODO)
Hokkaido Nipponham Fighters right-hander Koki Kitayama took a no-hitter into the ninth inning against the Yomiuri Giants on Thursday, June 19.
The Giants' Takumi Oshiro slugged a solo home run to right, his third of the year, with one out in the ninth to spoil Kitayama's no-hit bid in the interleague game at Tokyo Dome. Oshiro connected on a 1-2 forkball.
Kitayama (5-2) then retired the final two batters to wrap up his complete-game effort, leading the Fighters to a 4-1 victory. He fanned five batters and walked one in his 122-pitch outing.
"It was a precious experience," Kitayama said after the game, according to Kyodo News. "Not managing to achieve it (a no-hitter) means I'm still weak in some aspects, and I'll keep setting the bar high to eventually accomplish it one day." B.League chairman Shinji Shimada holds a promotional poster for the league's All-Star Games in 2027 and 2028 during a press gathering on June 19. (©SANKEI)
The B.League's annual All-Star Game is set to be held at two of the newest basketball arenas in the nation in 2027 and '28.
Nagoya will host the 2027 event at IG Arena (which opens in July 2025), followed by Glion Arena Kobe (in Kobe, the venue opened this April) in 2028.
An announcement was made on Thursday, June 19.
Nagasaki's Happiness Arena is the site for the 2026 B.League All-Star Game. JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK | Utsunomiya Brex Triumph in BCL Asia Final Newly appointed Japan women's handball national team head coach Morten Soubak attends a news conference on June 18 in Tokyo. (KYODO)
Well-traveled coach Morten Soubak has accepted an offer to lead the Japan women's handball national team.
The 60-year-old Dane was introduced as the team's new head coach on Wednesday, June 18 in Tokyo.
Soubak, whose new contract runs through the end of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, has had handball coaching jobs in Denmark, Brazil, Austria, Angola, Romania and Saudi Arabia.
During his successful tenure as the Brazil women's national squad head coach (2009-16), the team won the 2013 Women's World Handball Championship title in Serbia.
Japan finished 12th among 24 teams in the women's tourney at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, and placed 17th among 32 nations at the 2023 world championships.
In his new job, Soubak aims to help bolster Team Japan.
"First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Japan Handball Association for the great trust you have placed in me," he told a news conference on Wednesday. "I am very proud to have been given the opportunity to lead Japan's women's national team, the best in the country. [And] I am looking forward to making this team stronger and better than ever."
Soubak then said, "I have often had the opportunity to compete against the Japanese national team in the past while leading the Brazilian and Angolan national teams. Especially in recent years, I have seen how the Japanese team fights, and I feel strongly that I want to be a part of this team." WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr punches Jin Sasaki during the first round of their title fight on June 19 at Tokyo's Ota City General Gymnasium. (KYODO)
WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr retained his title with a fifth-round knockout of Japanese challenger Jin Sasaki on Thursday, June 19 at Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo.
Norman (28-0, 22 knockouts) delivered the knockout blow with a devastating left hook.
The 23-year-old Sasaki fell to 19-2-1 with 17 KOs.
A native of Hachioji, a western suburb of Tokyo, Sasaki had won his previous seven bouts.
Attempting to become the first Japanese to win a world title in the welterweight division, Sasaki was dropped to the canvas twice in the opening round.
Norman's power punches dictated the fight.
"It was a wonderful fight," Norman told reporters after his second successful title defense. "I had a great opponent in front of me. You all seen he got heart. That boy is not a slouch at all. I give nothing but props to him."
The San Antonio native added, "I love ya'll over here in Japan, [and] I'd gladly come back."
Norman proudly declared that he was well prepared to face Sasaki.
"I knew whatever he was bringing to the table, I'm a champion for a reason," he said. "As you saw, I showed that."
Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward' s dedicated website, SportsLook . Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven .
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
8 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Pakistan will not restrict mountaineering expeditions despite the recent deaths of climbers
PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistan has issued no warnings or restrictions for mountaineering expeditions in the north, an official said Sunday, despite the recent deaths of climbers. Climbers were well aware of the harsh weather and all the other risks and challenges, said Faizullah Faraq, a spokesman for the government of Gilgit-Baltistan, the northern region home to some of the world's highest mountains. 'Despite that, they willingly accept these challenges and come here to attempt these summits.' Chinese climber Guan Jing, 37, was the latest person to perish on one of Pakistan's mountains. She died last Tuesday after being hit by falling rocks on K2, the world's second-highest peak known for its treacherous slopes and extreme weather conditions. Rescue teams recovered her body on Saturday. Her body was still in the mortuary of the Combined Military Hospital in Skardu on Sunday. Contact has been made with Chinese authorities in Islamabad, and 'now it is up to them to make further decisions in this regard,' said Faraq. Jing's death occurred several weeks after German mountaineer and Olympic gold medalist Laura Dahlmeier died while attempting Laila Peak in the Karakoram mountain range. Bodies of foreign climbers who die attempting to summit mountains in Pakistan are typically recovered at the request of their families. But if the family declines a rescue, the remains are left at the spot where the climber died. Faraq said authorities were trying to provide climbers with better infrastructure, rescue facilities, security and a friendly environment. Mountaineering expeditions are the backbone of the local economy, bringing in millions of dollars in direct revenue. A large number of people work on these expeditions from May to September, feeding their families for the whole year with these earnings, he added. Hundreds of climbers try to scale mountains in northern Pakistan every year. Accidents are common because of avalanches and sudden weather changes. Last August, two Russians spent six days stranded on a remote peak before they were rescued. Gilgit-Baltistan, in Kashmir, has been battered by higher-than-normal monsoon rains this year, triggering flash floods and landslides.
Edmonton Journal
18 hours ago
- Edmonton Journal
Blue Jays show no mercy in pounding the Texas Rangers into submission as they eye a series sweep
Article content Daulton Varsho isn't the reason why the Blue Jays have taken baseball by storm. Article content He is, however, one of the reasons why the club sits one win away from matching the entire win total from last season. Article content Saturday against the visiting Texas Rangers, Varsho appeared in his 36th game of the season, which began with Varsho on the injured list following off-season shoulder surgery. Article content Article content Varsho hit his 13th home run in the Jays' 14-2 rout of the Rangers to give him 34 RBI on the season. Article content The game was so out of hand that the Rangers had former Blue Jay Roddy Tellez pitch the seventh and eighth innings as memories of Toronto's stay in Colorado began to flow. Article content Tyler Heineman pitched the ninth for the Jays. Article content The following are three takeaways from a convincing Blue Jays win that assured the club of a series win over the Rangers with a sweep at stake if a win is achieved Sunday, a day the Jays once again played in front of a full house in excess of 42,000. Article content Article content 1. Straw that stirs the drink Article content With all due respect to Mr. October, Reggie Jackson, Myles Straw has turned into the do-it-all player who has come up big in big spots at the plate and made some big catches in the outfield. Article content Remember the outcry when the Jays acquired Straw from Cleveland, a move essentially designed to free up international signing bonus space to pursue Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki. Article content If anything, club ownership has shown it has the financial means to forget any perceived bad signing. Article content Straw isn't elite, but he's no stiff. Article content Far from it for that matter. Article content In fact, he's good and the perfect piece the Jays have used in the bottom of the order, which has stepped up. Article content His signing has actually been very good. Article content In his first at-bat Saturday, Straw went deep for a three-run blast to give the Jays a 4-0 lead.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
MacIntyre posts a 64 and builds 5-shot lead over Scheffler at BMW Championship
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — One day it was the putter, another day it was the irons. No one had a lower score than Robert MacIntyre both of those rounds at the BMW Championship, and his reward for his 6-under 64 on Friday was a five-shot lead over Scottie Scheffler going into the weekend. MacIntyre closed with six straight birdies in the opening round for a 62, and he started the second round with a shot into 5 feet on the 476-yard first hole for another birdie. He kept bogeys off his card this time and set a daunting target at 14-under 126. Scheffler spent the steamy afternoon trying to keep in range. He had to settle for six pars at the end for a 65 and was at 9-under 131, at least booking a spot in the final group. Ludvig Aberg shot 64 and was another stroke back. It was the largest 36-hole lead at the BMW Championship since Jason Day led by five shots in 2015 at Conway Farms. Day went on to win by six. 'It's only 36 holes gone. There's a long way to go,' MacIntyre said. 'I'm comfortable with who I am. I'm comfortable with the team around me, and I'm comfortable on this golf course. Just go and play golf.' He has made it look as easy as it sounds on a Caves Valley course that has been renovated, lengthened, has new greens and still hasn't put up too much resistance without much wind. MacIntyre still putted well, except for the 5-foot birdie he missed on the 18th and another birdie chance inside 8 feet on the eighth hole. He has gained 6.8 shots on the field in putting through 36 holes to lead the key putting statistic. But he was rarely out of position even when he missed a fairway or green. 'Yesterday the putter was on fire. Today I felt like my iron play was exceptional,' MacIntyre said. 'Obviously, coming from links golf back out to throwing darts is a bit different technique-wise, turf-wise, so it took a little bit of readjusting, but I've got the hang of it.' Scheffler had his 15th consecutive sub-70 round and pulled within five shots on No. 12 when he hit a 4-iron from 221 yards to 7 feet for birdie. But he had only two reasonable chances from the 15-foot range the rest of the way. 'Bogey-free is always nice,' Scheffler said. 'I would have liked to get to have gotten a couple better looks down the stretch, but didn't hit as many fairways the last few holes, and out here with the way the holes are shaped, you've got to be in play. Did a good job of saving pars when I needed to on the back.' Hideki Matsuyama has yet to make bogey over 36 holes, even more remarkable because he has been feeling ill this week. That much was clear when he came out of scoring and headed straight for the car, a Japanese television crew hustling to try to catch up with him. He shot 64 and was alone in fourth place, still seven shots behind. Michael Kim had a 66 and was in the group tied for fifth that included Tommy Fleetwood (69), still eight shots behind. The position on the leaderboard is more meaningful to Kim than how far he is behind. The top 30 in the FedEx Cup advance to the Tour Championship next week, and Kim needs to finish around this spot to advance. Kim and Harry Hall, who had a 67 and was tied for eighth, were the only two projected to move into the top 30 with 36 holes still to play. Hall, the Englishman who played his college golf at UNLV, has quietly had a good year and is turning heads with his efficient swing and improved putting. He has four top 10s and has missed only three cuts in 23 starts. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Hall has finished out of the top 25 only once in his last 10 starts. As much as he wants to be at East Lake, he now is in the conversation for the Ryder Cup. He says he has received a few text messages from European captain Luke Donald, but he has not been fitted for a uniform. Rory McIlroy, playing for the first time since the British Open, was paired with Scheffler for two days. He overcame an early double bogey to post a 66, leaving him 10 shots behind. 'I think I'm just playing my own tournament at this point,' McIlroy said. 'I just want to try to play a good weekend and feel a little bit better about my game going into the Tour Championship.' ___ AP golf:
