All Japan Championships results in draft Astana selection

Just after the All Japan Championships, the Japanese selection for The 2015 World Championships in Astana in Kazakhstan was announced.

At the World Championships some big surprises occurred in the first rounds. Like 2013 World Champion Naohisa Takato who lost his first bout U60kg and U78kg Akari Ogata and Ruika Sato lost in the first round as well.

Masashi Ebinuma mastered the U66kg weightclass throwing Takaichi twice in the final, Waza-ari with seoinage and Yuko with koshi-guruma. World silver Ryu Shichinohe was surprised in the semi final by winner Kenta Nishigata. Matthew Baker and Kaihan Takagi won their first career titles at 90 kg and 100 kg, respectively.

On Saturday Haruna Asami won the category U48kg in the final against Ami Kondo, but both are selected for the World Championships. London Olympic gold medallist Kaori Matsumoto claimed her first title in four years and fourth overall. World Champion Nae Udaka was defeated in the semifinals.

Draft Men’s team for Astana

-60kg Toru Shishime

-66kg Masashi Ebinuma

-73kg Riki Nakaya

-81kg Takanori Nagase

-90kg Mashu Baker

-100kg Ryunosuke Haga

selected members for 100kg and additional two more judoka will be announced at April 29, after the All Japan Open Judo championships.

Draft Women’s team for Astana

-48kg Haruna Asami, Ami Kondo

-52kg Misato Nakamura

-57kg Kaori Matsumoto

-63kg Miku Tashiro

-70kg Chizuru Arai

-78kg Mami Umeki