Japanese judoka Sanshiro Murao secured the title at the World Judo Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, finishing his run through the bracket without conceding a single point or receiving a penalty.
Defeating Bekauli in the Third Round
Murao opened his path to the championship by facing Olympic champion Bekauli in the third round. It marked their first individual meeting since the Paris Olympic final. Early in the match, Murao reacted as Bekauli closed the distance, turning his body to execute a throw that earned an ippon victory. Murao noted after the match that he competed with composure and confidence, securing his first win against his childhood rival across six total meetings, including team competitions.
Murao Defeats Maidof and Nugayaphambo to Reach Final
Following his third-round win, Murao maintained his focus, stating that the tournament was far from over. In the quarterfinals, he earned a victory by superiority to defeat 2017 champion Maidof of Serbia. He then advanced to the semifinals, where he secured another ippon victory against Nugayaphambo, who claimed bronze at the Paris Games.
Securing the Title Against Tajima
In the final, Murao faced Tajima in a rematch of the previous world championship final. While Murao held an undefeated record against Tajima in international competition, Tajima had defeated Murao at the All-Japan Championships in April. Murao said he wanted revenge for that domestic loss and settled the score with an ippon victory.
When the tournament concluded, Murao had claimed the championship without yielding a point or a shido penalty. He remarked that his performance reflected a tight, flawless style of judo designed to show his strength on the international stage.
What Weight Class Did Sanshiro Murao Compete in During the Event in Baku?
What weight class did Sanshiro Murao compete in during the event in Baku? The source does not state the weight class.
Which opponent did Murao defeat in the final match? Murao faced and defeated Tajima to claim the title.
Did Murao concede any penalties during his championship run? No, Murao finished the tournament without conceding a single point or receiving a shido penalty.
Worth a look
