Misato Nakamura won Japan's first gold medal at these World Judo Championships, capturing the women's 52-kg title on Tuesday.

Nakamura beat last year's finalist Andreea Chitu of Romania in the final for her third world title, her first since 2011. Nakamura won her first three bouts by ippon before edging Chitu on points.

Nakamura became the third Japanese woman to win three world titles after Ryoko Tani (seven) and Noriko Anno (four).

In the men's 66 kg, Japan failed to medal for the first time since 2009 as Masashi Ebinuma lost in the third round and Kengo Takaichi fell at the first hurdle.