Tsukasa Yoshida confirms strength at Masters

World champion Yoshida Tsukasa of Japan added the World Judo Masters crown to her honours reel for 2018 with a clinical performance in China. Six-time Grand Slam winner Yoshida, who took silver a year ago in Russia, defeated Abu Dhabi Grand Slam winner Nora Gjakova (KOS) in the U57kg final in a battle between the all-conquering world number one and the accomplished world number three.

Yoshida extended her head-to-head record over her adversary from Kosovo to 3-0 after breaking the deadlock with a uchi-mata at the halfway point. Kosovo were denied a day one double by Yoshida who bounced back after finishing in fifth-place at her home Grand Slam in November.

In the first semi-final Yoshida defeated world silver medallist Nekoda Smythe-Davis (GBR) by ippon in a rematch of the World Championships final from Baku 2018. In the second semi-final Osaka Grand Slam winner Jessica Klimkait (CAN) was dispatched by Gjakova by ippon in golden score.

The first bronze medal was won by Masters newcomer Klimkait who defeated Olympic champion Rafaela Silva (BRA). The high-flying Canadian outfought her heralded Brazilian opponent who was disqualified after being reprimanded with her third shido for passivity. 

The second bronze medal was won by Osaka Grand Slam silver medallist Tamaoki Momo (JPN) against Smythe-Davis. Masters tyro Tamaoki opened the scoring with a waza-ari from a tani-otoshi and sealed her win with osaekomi from a yoko-shiho-gatame.