Nineteen-year-old Ami Kondo captured Japan's first gold medal of the World Judo Championships by winning the women's 48-kg category Monday.
On the opening day of the championships, Kondo beat Argentina's Paula Pareto in the final on points in her first appearance at the worlds, after knocking off defending champion Urantsetseg Munkhbat of Mongolia in the second round.
"From the start to the end, I really had fun competing," said Kondo. "I think I managed to set the tone so I'm sure everyone else will follow."
In the men's 60 kg, Naohisa Takato failed to defend his title, settling for bronze after losing to Russia's Beslan Mudranov in the semifinals.