Yasuyuki Muneta takes over 100kg Judo title

Yasuyuki Muneta scored an ippon victory over defending champion Yohei Takai in the final to win the over 100- kilogram title at the national weight-class invitational tournament on Sunday.

Muneta, who won the silver medal at last year's world championships, toppled his opponent with a lifting ankle technique 4 minutes, 42 seconds into the final at Fukuoka municipal gymnasium. It was Muneta's first title in four years and second overall.

Athens Olympic gold medalist Masato Uchishiba fell in an upset to Yu Shinozaki in the 66-kg semifinals and Hideo Sudo won the title for the first time.

Masahiro Takamatsu claimed the crown at 73 kg for the third straight year while Tatsuaki Egusa and Seigo Saito both won for the second year in a row at 60 kg and 90 kg, respectively.

Next year's tournament will be held from April 7-8 at Fukuoka Kokusai Center with both men and women competing.

The All Japan Judo Federation named three-time Olympic gold medalist Tadahiro Nomura to compete at 60 kg at the world team championships in France in September.

Selections were made based on performances at the national weight-class invitational and recent international competitions. Nomura won a title in his comeback to competitive judo last month at an international meet in the Czech Republic.