Japanese judoka Haruna Asami’s hopes of a third successive world title in the -48 kilogramme category were dashed on Monday as Mongolia’s Asian champion Urantsetseg Munkhbat beat her in the final.
Munkhbat, 23, had never even won a medal in a global competition before this but she showed few nerves in taking gold with an ippon in immobilising Asami.
It was quite a turnaround in her fortunes as the last time they met in competition Asami came out on top in the semi-finals of the Paris tournament in February.
Asami, 25, was competing in only her third tournament of the year, and came in to the championships unbeaten having won in both Paris and Tokyo.
The opening category of the championships was a great disappointment for the hosts as their Olympic champion Sarah Menezes could only take the bronze along with Belgium’s Charline van Snick.
Asami's hopes of third world title ended by Munkhbat
