In Japan, being an outsider probably doesn't have the same meaning as elsewhere because not being among the most prominent competitors and still having three World Judo Masters titles, four world championship medals and twelve grand slam medals, including 5 golds, gives you a glimpse of Miku Takaichi's talent. Many nations would dream of having such outsiders.
So we copy and paste the semi-finals from the category below and apply it to the -63kg semi-finals, since the four Japanese competitors were present in the last four again, promising a previously announced fruitful harvest for the host country. The two finalists were Miku Takaishi and Seiko Watanabe, the latter defeating her teammate and current world champion in the semi-final, after having clearly dominated the whole bout, showing the depth of Japanese judo.
In this new 100% Japanese final, both athletes were penalised with a first shido after a little more than a minute of observation. Watanabe was penalised again when blocking her opponent and the third shido didn't take long to be dropped on her head for a tactical win for Miku Takaishi.
Probably disappointed for not reaching the final, the current world champion, Megumi Horikawa (JPN) secured the bronze medal against Katharina Haecker (AUS) with an immobilisation, while Nami Nabekura (JPN) scored a waza-ari in the second bronze medal contest to join her teammates on the podium.
Final (-63 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-63 kg)
