FONSECA and MALONGA power to first world crowns

Inaugural Fair Play Trophies - Made By Herend Porcelain - Awarded

For the first time ever, the IJF Fair Play trophy was awarded to two judoka on the sixth day of the World Judo Championships at the Nippon Budokan. Following an idea of the IJF President, Mr. Marius Vizer, the trophy will be given yearly to athletes, coaches, important personalities, clubs or countries who have demonstrated respect to the vales of judo. The first two athletes who received the trophy were Sabrina Filzmoser of Austria and Ungvari Miklos of Hungary.  

Sabrina Filzmoser declared: “It's something really special for me. I didn't expect this award. I have the feeling as I approach the end of my judo career that everything comes to its place. I do respect everyone, this is something crucial. Of course, my competition here at the Budokan didn't go exactly as planned and expected, but that is sport. I am still very happy today with this award. I believe in the values of our sport. I am very much involved in Nepal and Bhutan. I think that we live in a very developed world, very social, where unfortunately all of us don't have the same chances. In Austria, I can get all I want, but in other countries, it's not always the case. I want everyone to have the same chances in life. Of course I love Nepal and Bhutan, because it's in the heart of the Himalayas, but I am engaged in development programmes there, because they need it.“

Ungvari Mikos said: “I am very proud to be the first man and the first Hungarian to be awarded with this trophy. I am thankful to everyone who thought that I could represent fairplay in sport, among all the judoka in the world. I will always stay in judo. I want to transmit what judo taught me and I want to teach our values to all children. I have learned the spirit of judo since my childhood. Respect is the most important value. It gives you faith on people. In judo our goal is to throw the opponent. But judo goes far beyond that simple observation. There is a reason why we bow. It is to show our appreciation to others. I like it very much, when before a match, both coaches are bowing to each other. It is simple but it shows that we are not simply fighters We should show respect all the time.“

WOMEN

-78kg: MALONGA seals France’s third gold medal in as many days

Defending world champion HAMADA Shori (JPN) conceded her world crown to European Games bronze medallist Madeleine MALONGA (FRA) in the -78kg final. MALONGA followed the success of her teammates Clarisse AGBEGNENOU (-63kg) and Marie EVE GAHIE (-70kg) who won gold on Wednesday and Thursday respectively to join table-topping hosts Japan on three gold medals at Tokyo 2019. HAMADA, who had shown her ne-waza prowess in the earlier rounds, fell behind to a waza-ari after MALONGA switched from a o-soto-gari to a o-uchi-gari to break the deadlock. The home judoka searched for a submission but the Frenchwoman anticipated the imminent danger and escaped. An o-soto-gaeshi sealed it for the new world champion who screamed in delight. The women’s team continue to carry the mantle of French judo while Japan continued to be tormented by their fellow powerhouse judo nation having also lost the -63kg final to the European nation.

In the first semi-final HAMADA dominated European Games winner Klara APOTEKAR (SLO) on the ground as she turned over the Slovenian and applied osaekomi before straightening the right arm of her opponent to force the submission. It was a clinical display from the Japanese who seemed to be unperturbed by the immeasurable amount of pressure on her to retain gold and her red backpatch for the hosts.

In the second semi-final two-time world champion Mayra AGUIAR (BRA) was countered by MALONGA for ippon. AGUIAR launched forward but did not put 100% into her attack and was pushed over with te-waza for the maximum score as high-flying France guaranteed one more medal after claiming three on Thursday.

The first bronze medal went to European Games bronze medallist Loriana KUKA (KOS) who subdued APOTEKAR on the ground to win her first World Championships honour. KUKA, who has coached by her uncle Driton TONI KUKA, tipped over her Slovenian rival for a waza-ari before submitting the tallest judoka in the category to claim Kosovo’s third medal from their four-strong women’s team.

The second bronze medal contest was claimed by AGUIAR who sent Tbilisi Grand Prix bronze medallist Patricia SAMPAIO (POR) up and over for ippon with a uchi-mata after 75 seconds. The Brazilian star, who started the day as the world number one, won the all-Portuguese-speaking battle to claim her sixth Worlds medal and her country’s second at Tokyo 2019. There was no celebration from AGUIAR who would have anticipated a place in the final this morning while both judoka will be expected to be in the frame next year.

MEN

-100kg: Portugal has their first world judo champion as FONSECA stars

World number eight Jorge FONSECA (POR) – once seen as a nearly man on the IJF World Judo Tour – made a mockery of his previous record on the international circuit, having never won a gold medal in his 44 appearances in IJF competition, as he went all the way for Portugal. The feared Portuguese powerhouse was crowned his country’s first world judo champion after beating 2018 world bronze medallist Niyaz ILYASOV (RUS) in the -100kg final. A low seoi-nage was the difference as 2015 Junior World Championships winner ILYASOV came up just short while FONSECA went one better than his teammate Barbara TIMO (POR) who took silver on Thursday.

The gold medallist blew kisses to the crowd and danced his way to the edge of the tatami before a deep and extended bow to show his usual high level of respect to his opponent, the competition and the sport.

In the first semi-final defending champion CHO Guham (KOR) fell to ILYASOV after a mammoth battle that required six minutes of additional time. CHO had come out on top before in such situations and had to be favoured when going deep into golden score but made a telling mistake as he went out of the area to avoid his opponent and was penalised with his third and final shido to concede his red backpatch.

In the second semi-final FONSECA dropped under Olympic silver medallist Elmar GASIMOV (AZE) to throw for a waza-ari score in the closing seconds. FONSECA, Portugal’s second finalist in as many days, was overwhelmed with his victory as he guaranteed his first medal on the World Championships stage. The Portuguese thanked the referee and kissed his opponent twice on the forehead having already secured the best result of his career.

In the first bronze medal contest world number four Michael KORREL (NED) consigned CHO to fifth-place as the 2018 winner failed to reach the medal podium this year. KORREL, who was no doubt inspired by the sensational golden day his teammate Noel VAN T END (NED) enjoyed on Thursday, produced a waza-ari score which was the only time the scoreboard was breached as the Dutchman outworked his rival to capture his first medal at the World Championships to nudge his country further up the medal table.

In the second bronze medal contest GASIMOV could not take his red-hot form from the preliminaries into the final block. GASIMOV lost out to 2017 world champion WOLF Aaron (JPN) who famously won the coveted All Japan Openweight Championships in this building in April. By missing out on gold WOLF has left the door open for former world champion HAGA Ryunosuke (JPN) and youngster IIDA Kentaro who may be ready in time for Tokyo 2020. WOLF salvaged a spot on the podium with 33 seconds remaining as he countered a desperate lunging attempt from the Azeri for the smallest score possible to swell Japan’s vast medal tally.

Watch day seven, the final day of the individual competition, from 1pm Japan time on Saturday.