The contest was tense and finely balanced, stretching deep into golden score. It was there, from seemingly nowhere, that Yamakawa struck decisively with a small ko-soto-gari, earning the yuko that propelled her into the semi-finals.
In pool B, Elif Kilic (TUR) had every reason to believe in her chances of reaching the last four but her run was interrupted by Enkhjin Gankhuyag (MGL), who advanced to meet Yamakawa in the semis.
The lower half of the draw saw another Mongolian contender shine. Tsendbazar Mashbat (MGL) lived up to her seeding, progressing with authority to the semi-finals, where she was joined by Magdalena Walega (POL) in what promised to be a clash of favourites. Their battle was indeed fierce, but Mashbat imposed herself to claim her place in the final. Hopes for an all-Mongolian showdown were high but in the other semi-final, Nonoka Yamakawa had the last word, denying Gankhuyag’s application and ensuring a Japan–Mongolia final.
The final began as a duel of styles, the left-handed Yamakawa against the right-handed Mashbat, with both judoka pouring energy into the contest. Yamakawa was the first to be penalised but also produced the opening dangerous attack, though without score. As the halfway point approached, it was Mashbat who struck, surprising her opponent with a sharp kata-guruma to take the lead by a yuko. Despite Yamakawa’s relentless pace and determination, the Mongolian kept her composure, defending stoutly until the final gong. With that slender advantage, Tsendbazar Mashbat was crowned world champion.
The first bronze medal contest brought together Elif Kilic (TUR) and Magdalena Walega (POL), two judoka with everything still to fight for after strong runs in the preliminaries. After a balanced contest, Walega seized the decisive moment with a well-controlled uchi-mata as her opponent was already falling, securing the bronze medal for Poland.
The second bronze medal contest featured Ekaterina Zhdanova (IJF) against Enkhjin Gankhuyag (MGL), completing the line-up for a gripping final block on day three of competition. Gankhuyag struck first and scored a waza-ari but the contest remained tense, with Zhdanova responding to earn two yuko scores. As the clock ticked down, the IJF representative pushed forward desperately but with only seconds remaining, she was caught in an armlock for ippon. The bronze went to Enkhjin Gankhuyag, giving Mongolia a second position on the podium in the category.
Final (-57 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-57 kg)
