FUKUOKA (Kyodo) Emi Yamagishi overcame defending champion Tomoko Fukumi and world champion Haruna Asami in winning the women's 48-kg category at the national weight class judo championships Sunday, but it wasn't enough to book a spot on this summer's world championships team.
On the final day of competition, Yamagishi claimed the crown for the first time in three years — her third overall at the competition, which doubled as a selection meet for the worlds to be held in Paris from Aug. 23-28.
"I am happy that I was able to win the title with many people rooting for me. I had to go up against two world champions, but I ended with a good result because I didn't let that faze me in my matches. I still need to work on striking first with my techniques," said Yamagishi, who was left off the team for Paris for Fukumi and Asami.