Ryu Shichinohe won a silver medal on Saturday in the men's over-100 kg division at the World Judo Championships.
Shichinohe secured at least a silver when he defeated Brazil's David Moura by ippon in the semifinals. Shichinohe, however, lost in the final to France's Teddy Riner, who claimed his sixth consecutive world championship in the division. The silver medal was Japan's first in the heaviest weight category since 2005.
Megumi Tachimoto added to Japan's medal haul with a bronze in the women's over-78 kg category. In the same division, teammate Kanae Yamabe lost her quarterfinal bout and then was knocked out in the first round of the repechage.