Masaya Shimokusu, World Judo Championships 2010 Tokyo Official

The last day of World Judo Championships 2010 Tokyo was also the day for the revival of the "Open category" in World Judo Championships. 69 male and 33 female judoka had registered for the Open. Many athletes of -100kg and -78kg weight categories joined the fights with bigger athletes. The competitors used a variety of techniques to fight with the opponents of different weight categories, and showed the "essence of judo."

Men's Open Category:
As expected, the +100kg champion Teddy Riner (FRA) reached the final. Another finalist was a young dark horse, Daiki Kamikawa (JPN). Kamikawa showed beautiful Ippon throws in the preliminary rounds. At the final, Riner got a Shido due to Kamikawa's passivity, but in overtime, Kamikawa let Riner fall on the belly or on the knees three times. Hantei must have been difficult; referees' decisions were split. The winner was Kamikawa; the dark horse ran through to the top.

Among -100kg competitors, Ramziddin Sayidov (UZB) and Hwang Hee-tae (KOR) showed splendid performances; especially Syidov reached the bronze fight, beating Kasuhiko Takahashi (JPN) at the repechage. Syidov was beaten by Keiji Suzuki (JPN) at the bronze fight. Hiroki Tachiyama (JPN) got another bronze medal by Sasaetsurikomiashi in overtime.

Women's Open Category:
The +78kg champion Mika Sugimoto matched up with Qin Qian (CHN) at the final. Throughout the day, Sugimoto could not throw her opponents as she had done on the Day 1. She, however, showed that she could win the tournament in a different way. Sugimoto became the double crown champion of the Tokyo tournament by Yuko of Ippon-seoinage at the final.

Among -78kg participants, Celine Lebrun (FRA) showed great presence, although being defeated by Tea Donguzashvili (RUS) at the bronze fight. Megumi Tachimoto (JPN) won by Sasaetsurikomiashi in overtime at another bronze fight. Akari Ogata and Ruika Sato, the two Japanese -78kg judoka, could not overcome the disadvantages of their weights, and were defeated in the preliminary rounds.

At the closing ceremony, President of All Japan Judo Federation Mr. Haruki Uemura returned the IJF flag to President of the International Judo Federation Mr. Marius L. Vizer, and Mr. Vizer passed it to President of the French Judo Federation Mr. Jean-Luc Rouge. A safe journey home, judoka. See you again in Paris in 2011.

*As for the details of the results and official reports of the Day 5, please visit the IJF website.