Fuuna Tonaki wins world championship in Judo

The World Judo Championships Tournament started Monday in Budapest, Hungary, and 22-year-old Fuuna Tonaki, whose parents are from Haebaru Town, won the gold medal in the women’s 48-kilogram weight class.

Tonaki won ippon with yoko-shiho-gatame, in which the opponent’s shoulders and hips are pinned down, in her second match. In her third match, she beat Brazil’s Stefannie Koyama by decision. In her quarterfinal match, Tonaki won Milicia Nikolic of Serbia with yoko-shiho-gatame, and in her semi-final bout, she won Galbadrakhyn Ogogontsetseg of Kazakhstan by decision.

At the final match, Tonaki bested Monkhbatyn Urantsetseg of Mongolia by decision to become the world champion.

Afterwards, Tonaki said, “I’m very happy. I cried today because I could win for the first time. I could keep cool even if this was my first time to participate. Now I’m the world champion, but I would like to be modest about my victory, and keep on the challenge.”

17:44 29 Mar , 2024