Japanese judoka Sanshiro Murao successfully defended his under-90-kilogram world title on Thursday at the Judo World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, defeating compatriot Goki Tajima in the final. Murao navigated five matches without conceding a single point, sealing a dominant run that culminated in an all-Japanese gold-medal bout.
Path Through Baku to the Final
Murao entered the world championships carrying the momentum of his silver-medal finish at the Paris Olympic Games. His toughest tactical test arrived in the round of 16, where he secured an ippon victory over Georgia’s Lasha Bekauri, a two-time reigning Olympic champion. Following that high-stakes elimination bout, Murao advanced cleanly through the tournament bracket to set up the championship showdown against Tajima.
For Tajima, the silver medal marked a consecutive world-final defeat against his fellow countryman. Speaking after the medal ceremony, Tajima acknowledged the gap in performance on the mat. I still have to work on many things,
Tajima said. He was simply too strong.
Securing Japan’s Men’s Division Dominance
Murao’s gold medal was Japan’s third in the men’s division at the Baku championships. The nation’s earlier titles came from Hifumi Abe in the 66-kilogram category and Ryuga Tanaka in the 73-kilogram division. Murao reflected on his methodical approach to the global tournament and his desire to cement his status in the division.
I entered the tournament with the goal of establishing myself as the undisputed champion and was able to show what I have worked on,
Murao said. I believe I was able to show performances that made people understand how strong I am.
Shifting Fortunes in the Women’s Divisions
While the men’s team captured multiple titles, the women’s division saw reigning champions face early exits. In the 70-kilogram category, Shiho Tanaka missed out on securing a second world title after losing her round-of-16 match to German judoka Giovanna Scoccimarro, halting her defense prematurely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Sanshiro Murao defeat in the final at Baku?
Murao defeated his Japanese compatriot Goki Tajima in the under-90-kilogram final at the Judo World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan.
How many points did Murao concede during his championship run?
Murao won his five matches throughout the tournament without conceding a single point to any opponent.
Which reigning Olympic champion did Murao defeat in the tournament?
Murao earned an ippon victory in the round of 16 over Georgia’s Lasha Bekauri, the two-time reigning Olympic champion.
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