Tsunoda Claims World Gold as Murao Retains His Title in Baku

It’s Day 5 in Baku at the World Judo Championships and the action rolls on.

At -70kg, Ai TSUNODA ROUSTANT was entering her first senior World Championships final. After an impressive run through the draw, the former cadet and junior world champion now stood just one contest away from a Senior World title and the red backpatch.

Michaela POLLERES had built momentum with every contest. Olympic silver and bronze and also two World Championship bronzes, she was no stranger to judo’s biggest stages. Her wealth of experience could prove crucial with World gold now within reach.

The final went into Golden Score, but TSUNODA ROUSTANT emerged as new World Champion after a tactical bout. The Spaniard stayed focused to claim the biggest victory of her career.

It’s always amazing to go to a final at a World Championships, this type of show, how they do it, how they do everything is spectacular.

International Judo Federation Head Referee Director Mr Juan Carlos BARCOS awarded the medals.

In the -90kg category, reigning World Champion MURAO Sanshiro displayed his exceptional talent on the tatami. Having defeated double olympic champion Bekauri early on, a huge ippon in the semi final gave him the chance to become a two-time World Champion.

TAJIMA Goki would be his opponent in a repeat of last year’s World final. A former World Champion himself, TAJIMA knew exactly what it took to win on this stage. Their rematch set up an all-Japanese showdown, with a second World title on the line for both men.

In the -90kg final, MURAO delivered when it mattered most, scoring a huge ippon to bring the contest to a dramatic close. With victory secured, the Japanese star retained his title and became a two-time World Champion in Baku.

My goal coming into this competition was to establish myself as the undisputed champion of the -90kg category. Winning here and taking the title for a second year in a row feels like I’ve been able to prove that.

International Judo Federation Executive Committee Member & Kodokan President Mr Haruki UEMURA awarded the medals.

See you tomorrow for more Judo!