Alkass Digital
Asian giants Japan emerged on top of a thrilling battle between the reigning World and Olympic champions when they defeated European heavyweights France in the mixed team competition on the final day of the IJF World Judo Championships – Doha 2023, yesterday.
At the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena, defending champions Japan delivered a comprehensive display to retain their title as they signed off with an impressive haul of 12 medals (six gold, two silver and four bronze medals) to top the standings.
France’s Joan Benjamin Gaba (-73kg) gave their nation a brilliant start with a quick win over Soichi Hashimoto in yesterday’s title showdown which consisted of seven face-offs. Margaux Pinot made it 2-0 in favour of the Olympic champions, defeating the world champion Saki Niizoe in the -70kg category.
Japan got their first point through Goki Tajima who outplayed Maxime-Gael Ngayap Hambou through an uchi mata after a tough battle. Coralie Hayme made it 3:1 for France, defeating Maya Segawa in the +70kg category before Tatsuru Saito led Japan’s fightback with a thrilling win over Jospeh Terhec. Sarah Leonie Cysique was hoping to seal the deal for France, just like she did at the Olympics in Tokyo, but Haruka Funakubo denied their chances, leveling the scores at 3:3.
Ultimately, it came down to a showdown between Pinot and Niizoe in the -70kg category, but this time, it was Niizoe, who won after Pinot produced a third shido which handed Japan their sixth mixed team title in front of joyous fans.
The IJF President Marius Vizer heaped praise on the organisation of Doha 2023, and congratulated Qatar’s Local Organising Committee, led by H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani.
“The 2023 edition of the world championships is a great success. Qatar is one of the biggest sporting event organisers in the world. They proved it with several international competitions in the recent past and this time they proved it again with the World Judo Championships - Doha 2023,” Vizer said before the presentation ceremony.