Mongolia ranks 6th at Judo Grand Slam
The Osaka Judo Grand Slam 2018, the fifth and final Grand Slam of the season, has concluded after three days of intense competition at the Maruzen Intec Arena, Japan from November 23 to 25.
Out of teams from 71 countries, the Mongolian team, consisting of 10 men and three women, came in sixth place with silver and bronze medals. Japan came in first with 11 gold, eight silver and 16 bronze medals, followed by Canada, the Netherlands, Cuba and Russia.
Former world champion M.Urantsetseg was seen as a strong competitor in the women’s 48 kg category as she held onto her status as the world number one after victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam in October.
Five-time Grand Slam winner M.Urantsetseg won Japan’s Grand Slam in 2016 and took silver in 2013 and 2017. However, she landed on silver this year after losing to World Championships silver medalist Funa Tonaki with an ippon.
The bronze medal was won by Yo.Baskhuu in the men’s 66 kg category.
In the men’s +100 kg category, Hohhot Grand Prix winner N.Tuvshinbayar and World Championships bronze medalists U.Duurenbayar fought for bronze but let it slip passed their hands, and both ended up coming in seventh place. World Championships bronze medalist D.Sumiya wanted to win her first IJF gold medal in women’s 57 kg this year in the sport’s homeland, but unfortunately, ended up in seventh place. The same fate landed on L.Sosorbaram (men’s 52 kg) and O.Khangal (women’s 100 kg).