Three-time Olympic judo champion Tadahiro Nomura triumphantly marked his return to the mat Saturday by winning the Swiss Open.
Nomura, who won gold at the 1996, 2000 and 2004 Games, defeated Switzerland's Ludovic Chammartin by ippon in the final in his first meet since August 2011.
Nomura, who missed the cut for the last two Olympics, is eyeing his domestic comeback this summer at the All-Japan corporate championships.
"I'm really excited to have won my first competition in a long time," Nomura said. "I admit, I was nervous and worried but I'm relieved now.
"I wanted to show everyone that an old man at 38 can still keep up with the boys in their teens and 20s."