Olympic and world bronze medallist Ami Kondo strikes in Tokyo

Olympic and world bronze medallist Kondo Ami started Japan’s gold medal rush by winning the first final on day one of the Tokyo Grand Slam 2017. Former world champion Kondo took advantage of a slip by her opponent and world number one Munkhbat Urantsetseg (MGL) as the Japanese trapped the Mongolian in osaekomi for 20 seconds in golden score to clinch the U48kg title.

In the first semi-final Hohhot Grand Prix winner Kang Yujeong (KOR) fell to Kondo. Despite going in front with a waza-ari from a yoko-tomoe-nage Kang could not hold back Kondo who pinned down her opponent in osaekomi for 20 seconds to move into the final.

In the second semi-final Munkhbat bested former World Judo Masters winner Endo Hiromi (JPN) by ippon.

The first bronze medal contest saw world champion Tonaki Funa (JPN) salvage a place on the podium at the expense of her compatriot Endo. Japan’s -48kg number three Endo aimed to secure some international assignments in 2018 but lost her position in ne-waza and was held down by a grateful Tonaki who won the hosts’ first medal at home.

The second bronze medal contest opposed Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist Jeong Bokyeong (KOR) and teammate Kang and it was the former who prevailed. Kang received her third shido for passivity after three minutes and 15 seconds of golden score.

Top seed Otgontsetseg Galbadrakh (KAZ) was surprisingly humbled in her first contest as she fell by a waza-ari score to Kang in golden score.

Read all the news of the Tokyo Grand Slam