Judo: Sanshiro Murao Misses All-Japan Open Title in Dramatic 12-Second Finish Against Takahiko Tajima

TOKYO — Takahiko Tajima captured his first All-Japan Open weight class title with a dramatic sumi-gaeshi for yuko with just 12 seconds remaining in the final, defeating defending 90kg world champion Sanshiro Murao in a rematch of last year’s world championship bout.

The victory marked Tajima’s first open weight title after three previous final appearances, and came in front of a home crowd at Nippon Budokan on April 26, 2026. Tajima, representing Park24, won by yuko after a scoreless regulation period that saw both athletes locked in a tense tactical battle.

“Beating Murao means a lot to me personally,” Tajima said in his post-match interview, tears visible as he knelt on the mat. “I’ve lost to him repeatedly in the 90kg division, so finally overcoming him here feels significant.”

The final unfolded as a cautious affair, with neither combatant able to break through for the first seven minutes. Murao, competing for JES Elevator, appeared to control the grip early but failed to convert his advantages into scoring opportunities.

With the clock winding down, Tajima attempted a transition that left him vulnerable. As both athletes fell to the mat in a scrambling sequence, Tajima landed the sumi-gaeshi that proved decisive.

The score came with just 12 seconds left, leaving Murao no time to respond. Officials confirmed the technique as yuko under the tournament’s unique judging criteria, which differ slightly from international rules.

“I went for the throw, and that’s what happened,” Murao said afterward, reflecting on the sequence. “Perhaps in an international match I wouldn’t have committed so deeply, but the timing of our entries clashed. Losing in a tournament this important is painful.”

Murao had entered the tournament as the heavy favorite, seeking to become the first 90kg specialist to win the open division since Hiroyuki Kato in 2012. His path to the final included victories over top-tier opponents, though he had not recorded an ippon in any of his matches.

Bronze medals were shared by Taiyo Ota of Asahi Kasei and Dohai Arai of Tokai University, both of whom lost in the semifinals. Last year’s open weight champion, Taigo Kagawa of ALSOK, was eliminated in the third round.

The result sets up a likely rematch later this year at the World Championships in Baku, where both athletes will compete in the 90kg division. Murao, now 28, and Tajima, 25, have traded results over the past two years, with Tajima winning their most recent world championship encounter in 2025.

For Tajima, the victory represents a breakthrough after years of near-misses. Despite his success in the 90kg class — including Olympic silver in Paris 2024 and multiple world championship medals — the open weight title had remained elusive.

“This loss hurts, but I can look back and think it was for the best,” Murao added. “Not winning here makes me realize how much I still need to improve if I want to dominate at this level.”

The All-Japan Championships continue to serve as a critical benchmark for Japanese judokas ahead of the Olympic cycle. With the Paris Games now in the rearview mirror, attention turns to Los Angeles 2028, where both athletes aim to represent Japan.

As for what’s next, both competitors are expected to return to the 90kg World Championships circuit later this year, with the Baku tournament in October serving as the next major milestone.

Archysport will continue to follow their trajectories as they prepare for the next chapter in one of Japan’s most compelling rivalries.

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