Judo: Japan dominates Day one in Ulaanbaatar

Welcome back to the IJF World Tour, and to one of it’s most revered stops, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

>The Steppe Arena was the host of the first tournament offering LA Olympic qualification points, so many of the world's biggest judo stars were in action.

>At -48 kg,KOGA Wakana took on ZHUANG Wenna in the final. An ouchi-gari for yuko proved the slightest of differences in a close battle and saw KOGA take the win.

>International Judo Federation Education and Coaching Director, Mr Mohammed MERIDJA was on hand to award the medals.

The -60kg final was high calibre, World number one Balabay AGHAYEV, and Current world champion NAGAYAMA Ryuju.

>A yuko score from the Azeri was enough to earn him the gold!

The organisation is at a high level, the atmosphere in the arena is at a high level, so what can I say… only thank you to all of them. Balabay AGHAYEV (AZE)He was awarded his medal by Vice President of the Mongolian Judo Association, Mr Turbold BOLDBAATAR.

At -52kg, Olympic and five time World champion, ABE Uta looked to be right at her very best, dispatching every fighter in her path to the final.

>With her opponent there unable to compete. ABE claimed a record breaking 12th Grand slam gold medal… the most by any woman.

Wow, with so many people cheering for us, I think it's such a wonderful country.ABE Uta (JPN)She was awarded her medal by Referee Director of the International Judo Federation, Ms Tina TRSTENJAK.

>Current -66kg world champion TAKEOKA Takeshi looked supreme all day. A strong Waza-ari score in the final saw him best Ramazan ABDULAEV.

>The medals were awarded by Chair of the Mongolian State Committee of Physical Culture and Sports, Mr Bilegt ERDENESAIKHAN.

>In the -57kg final, OMORI Akari caught Sarah Leonie CYSIQUE with an opportune sacrifice technique to score and take a fourth title on the day for Japan.

She was awarded the gold by Referee Supervisor of the International Judo Federation, Mr Mathieu BATAILLE.

>Sukhbat BYAMBASUREN gave the home crowd reason to celebrate, taking a hard earned bronze medal for the hosts.

>Join us tomorrow for the middle-weights and more big judo stars!