Tokyo, Japan — In a dramatic conclusion to the 2026 All-Japan Judo Championships held at Nippon Budokan on April 26, Tashima Goki of Park24 captured his first national title in the open-weight division, defeating village rival Murao Sanshiro in the final with a decisive osaekomi hold in the dying seconds.
The victory marks a historic milestone, as Tashima becomes the first 90-kilogram class judoka to win the men’s open-weight title since Kato Hiroyoshi in 2012 — a 14-year gap underscoring the rarity of such an achievement. A reigning world champion in the 90kg category after his gold-medal performance at the 2024 World Championships in Abu Dhabi, Tashima entered the tournament as one of the favorites but faced significant adversity en route to the crown.
His path to glory included a hard-fought semifinal win over three-time champion Ota Hyoga of Asahi Kasei, a bout decided by a narrow 2-1 flag judgment after Tashima suffered a head clash during the match. Reflecting on the moment, he said, “I thought I had won with a white flag,” only to learn from teammates that two red flags had been raised, signaling his advance to the final.
In the championship match, Tashima trailed for much of the contest against Murao, the 2024 Paris Olympic silver medalist and reigning world champion in the 90kg division. With just eight seconds remaining and appearing headed for defeat under flag judgment, Tashima executed a surprise sumi-gaeshi (corner reversal) as Murao leaned forward, scoring a yuko to seize the lead and secure the win.
“Honestly, I don’t perceive it yet,” Tashima said after the match, tears streaming down his face as he bowed exiting the tatami. “But beating Murao meant more than winning the All-Japan title itself. We’ve lost three straight lately, especially that brutal throw at the Tokyo Grand Slam in December — so this win was everything.”
Park24 teammates also competed in the men’s division, though with mixed results. Takeuchi Tsuyoshi and Masuyama Kaho both exited in the third round, while Nagatatsu Ryuki was eliminated in the second round, according to the team’s official social media update following the event.
The All-Japan Judo Championships, held annually, serve as Japan’s premier domestic judo competition and a key selection event for international teams. This year’s edition carried added significance as athletes position themselves for consideration ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where Tashima and Murao are expected to be leading contenders for the 90kg weight class.
Tashima’s triumph adds to a growing list of accolades, including world team gold medals in 2022 and 2023, Asian Games team gold in 2022, and multiple Grand Slam medals across the 2019–2025 circuit. His signature technique, the sode-tsurikomi-goshi (sleeve lift hip throw), has been a hallmark of his success since his junior days, when he won world junior titles in both individual and team events in 2017.
As the judo world turns its focus toward the upcoming World Championships and Olympic qualification events, Tashima’s open-weight victory stands as a powerful statement of resilience and tactical adaptability — proving that even under pressure, a well-timed technique can change destiny.
For continued coverage of Japan’s national judo scene and athlete pathways to Los Angeles 2028, follow official updates from the All Japan Judo Federation and trusted sports news outlets.
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