Judo: Tachimoto clinches Grand Slam title

Tachimoto pulled off an ippon two minutes 45 seconds into the final to win the women’s over 78-kilogramme title.

TOKYO: Japan’s Megumi Tachimoto defeated London Olympic gold medallist Idalys Ortiz of Cuba to cap a final day full of upsets at the Grand Slam international judo tournament yesterday. The 23-year-old Tachimoto, the world bronze medallist in the 2010 open class, pulled off an ippon two minutes 45 seconds into the final to win the women’s over 78-kilogramme title. After the three-day competition, hosts Japan ended with 10 titles to South Korea’s two wins while the Netherlands earned a solitary victory. Japan won three gold medals yesterday and South Korea two.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 3^rd, 2012.