Japan Judo Team Got Another Gold Medal in Heavyweight Class
Japan is remaking history in Judo, sweeping gold medals in heavyweight classes. In the wake of Nagase's triumph in 81-kg division, Ryunosuke Haga dominated 100-kg class in World Judo Championships Astana 2015 August 29 beating in the final game Germany's Karl-Richard FREY by decision. It was his first try at the world championships and grabbed the gold medal away.
Last time, Haga was member of the study mission and watched the games from the stand. Last year Japan bypassed 100-kg unchallenged as a class Japan could not compete in. "I was up there watching the matches in the stand and felt so miserable", recalls Haga. "I told myself never to feel the same way", adds he. One year past, Haga lived up to his own words.
Haga, 24, hails from Miyazaki and dominated the Junior Championships in 2010. Haga made his debut 2014 when he finished second in Kodokan Cup and third place in Judo Grand Slam Tyumen 2014. In 2015 he won European Open Rome and Grand Prix Dusseldorf. He features Uchimata and ranks 25th in the world.
Meanwhile in +100-kg class, Japan entered Ryu Shichinohe to challenge the heaviest class in international Judo. His father is a Japanese Karate master and his mother a Belgian. Last time he won the gold medal for the first time in 9 years. This is his third time challenging the world championships and this time came up second in the division for a silver medal.
Japanese judo-ka look for gold medals in the Olympics. Japan entered this time what appears to be the most competitive team ever. In the last day group tournament are slated. Japan turned the tables last year to win the men's championship and eyes for triumph two years running, while women look for the championship for the first time in two years.
