Sanshiro Murao Defends World Judo Title in Baku
Japanese judoka Sanshiro Murao won the men’s 90-kilogram title at the World Judo Championships in Baku on Thursday, defeating compatriot Goki Tajima in the final, Sumikai reported. Murao navigated five matches without conceding a single point, securing Japan’s third gold medal in the men’s division following earlier victories by Hifumi Abe at 66 kilograms and Ryuga Tanaka at 73 kilograms.
Path to the Championship Final
The 26-year-old Murao entered the tournament carrying momentum from his silver medal performance at the Paris Olympic Games. In the round of 16 in Baku, he earned an Ippon victory over Georgia’s Lasha Bekauri, the two-time reigning Olympic champion. Murao then advanced past the preliminary rounds to face Tajima in the gold-medal bout. I went into the tournament with the goal of establishing myself as the undisputed champion and was able to show what I’ve worked on,
Murao said. I think I was able to show performances that made people understand how strong I am.
Tajima Reacts to Defeat
Tajima took the silver medal after falling to Murao for the second time in a world championship final. The runner-up acknowledged the gap in performance following the match. I still have a lot to work on,
Tajima said. He was just too strong.
The defeat marked another close finish for Tajima in the elite domestic and international rivalry within the 90-kilogram weight category.
Related Division Results
In the women’s 70-kilogram division at the same championships, Shiho Tanaka missed out on defending her consecutive world title after losing her round-of-16 match to German judoka Giovanna Scoccimarro.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Sanshiro Murao win his first world title?
Murao captured his first senior world championship in Baku in 2025, adding to a career resume that includes a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics and a bronze medal at the 2023 World Championships.
Who did Murao defeat in the round of 16 in Baku?
Murao defeated Lasha Bekauri of Georgia, a two-time reigning Olympic champion, by Ippon before advancing to face Goki Tajima in the final.
Which other Japanese judokas won gold medals in Azerbaijan?
Hifumi Abe claimed gold in the men’s 66-kilogram category, and Ryuga Tanaka secured gold in the 73-kilogram division alongside Murao’s victory at 90 kilograms.
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