Judo World Championship: Japan remain mixed team champions

All the latest developments on the 2024 Abu Dhabi World Judo Championships.

Transcript

00:00 Welcome to the sixth day of the Judo World Championships in Abu Dhabi.

00:11 Today marks an exhilarating day featuring the mixed team competition.

00:14 It's a dynamic six versus six showdown embodying the essence of teamwork with three men and

00:20 three women for each team, all vying for the pinnacle of victory.

00:26 A day filled with thrilling moments, where every throw and hold is a testament to teamwork.

00:35 In the semi-final, Japan went up against strong contenders Uzbekistan.

00:42 Japan took an early lead with a hold-on from Maorai.

00:50 But then an impressive Ippon from Turaboyev looked promising for an Uzbek win.

00:59 But Japan ultimately won 4-1 through some brilliant Judo, and progressed to the gold

01:04 medal match.

01:09 The France versus Georgia semi-final was a much closer contest with back and forth wins

01:13 for the first four contests.

01:18 Retailed world champion Pinot and Alex Clerget closed out the contest for a French win to

01:23 progress through to the gold medal match.

01:27 Meeting in the final once again then were Japan and France.

01:31 They have faced each other in the final in the last six world championships, with Japan

01:36 coming out top every time.

01:40 Could France finally break the streak?

01:46 Starting with the heavyweights, Japan took an early lead and continued their run from

01:50 there.

01:51 Nakano, Tamaoki and Tanaka all winning their contests.

02:02 Until new decrowned world champion Pinot turned the table.

02:09 Kawabata's win against Clerget though sealed the victory for Japan and once again they

02:14 will reign as world mixed team champions.

02:22 Gold medals were awarded by President of the IJF, Mr. Marius Wieser and Max Hervé Georges,

02:28 CEO of Icona Capital, and a gold trophy by President of the UAE Judo Federation, Mohamed

02:35 Ben Taloub Alderey.

02:40 It's amazing to have the seventh consecutive win in a row.

02:48 At the end of the day, a flag passing ceremony was held to pass the honour of the world championships

02:53 to Hungary for 2025.

02:56 Budapest, the next host city, awaits with anticipation.