Kazuhiko Takahashi stands with his gold medal after his men’s open judo final match against Iran’s Mohammad Reza Rodaki at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, on Tuesday.
REUTERS

ASIAN GAMES

Japan's judoka reclaim Asian bragging rights

Wednesday 17th November, 06:33 AM JST

GUANGZHOU, China —

Heavyweight Kazuhiko Takahashi took out Mohammad Reza Rodaki of Iran to capture the men’s open category gold medal as Japan reclaimed continental bragging rights on the final day of the judo competition at the Asian Games on Tuesday.
Hiroki Hiraoka and Tomoko Fukumi were unable to follow up in their respective finals, but Takahashi’s ippon win allowed the Japanese to top the judo gold medal standings with seven to South Korea’s six at Huagong Stadium.
Japan’s judoka almost doubled their meager return of four in 2006 Qatar, an embarrassing haul for the sport’s spiritual home, but a senior official of the country suggested the total would have been greater had it not been the poor refereeing.
Yoshie Ueno was left with a black eye after being punched in the women’s 63-kg semifinals earlier in the competition, and judges incurred the wrath of All Japan Judo Federation technical director Kazuo Yoshimura after a dubious call robbed Fukumi of the 48-kg gold.
‘‘I have been to many international tournaments but I have never seen referees as bad as at this tournament,’’ snapped Yoshimura.
Takahashi wasn’t complaining, though. “As I have been chosen to compete here, I had to produce no matter what,’’ Takahashi said. ‘‘Today’s win is huge as I had to overcome many challenges.’‘
Fukumi looked the aggressor with her mat techniques and leg maneuvers, but lost the judges’ decision 2-1 against her Chinese opponent Wu Shugen, roared on by a boisterous home crowd, after a three-minute scoreless overtime.
‘‘I didn’t think I was losing, but I think I have to throw my opponent to win a match,’’ said Fukumi, who had used her leg techniques to prevail over Bat Erdene Baljinnyam of Mongolia on points in the semifinals.
In the 60 kg, Hiraoka heaved Amartuvshin Dashdavaa of Mongolia down with a shoulder throw in the semifinals, but surrendered on an ippon loss to top-ranked and world champion Rishod Sobirov of Uzbekistan after suffering a right-knee injury in the final.
Along with the seven golds, Japan finished with four silver and four bronze medals in four days. South Korea had three silvers and five bronzes to go with its six golds.