Japanese heavyweight final between Mao Arai and Miki Mukunoki

The +78 kg category is the preserve of a few countries which in recent years have shared the laurels: Japan, France, Brazil are among these strong nations. Here in Odivelas on the last day, it was Japan which nevertheless showed its power and the full extent of its pool of judoka with international stature.

It was indeed the two Japanese judoka, Mao Arai and Miki Mukunoki who faced each other in the final, after having silenced all the competition.

It was noticed at the beginning of the final that the Japanese coach walked to the tatami with both athletes, encouraged them both and then stepped back in a very nice display of etiquette. The time had come for Arai and Mukunoki to decide who would be the best of the day. They were quickly penalised with one shido apiece. Mukunoki was penalised again, putting her in a tricky situation as the third shido was pending. With 24 seconds to go, the third shido finally came, offering the gold medal to Mao Arai.

To share the remaining prizes we found during the first contest for a bronze medal, Yuli Alma Mishiner (ISR) and Hyeonji Lee (KOR). The first to action was Lee with a flying harai-goshi which was rewarded with a waza-ari. There was no chance for Mishiner, who was thrown for a second waza-ari a few seconds later. The bronze medal was for Hyeonji Lee.

Katia Alves (BRA) and Tiziana Marini (ITA) faced each other to complete the podium. After a few unprepared attacks that demanded her being penalised, Katia Alves scored a first waza-ari with a makikomi technique. She finished the job by pinning her opponent down for ten seconds to score a combined ippon. This bronze medal was for Katia Alves.