Judoka Megumi Tachimoto defeated rival Kanae Yamabe with a flag decision in the final to win her first career title at the women's national championship on Sunday.
Tachimoto, 26, beat Yamabe, 24, the same opponent she lost to in last year's final in the open weight competition, which doubled as a qualifier in the women's over-78-kilog category for this summer's World Judo Championships in Astana.
"I really can't believe it," said Tachimoto, who won the championship held at Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium for the first time in 10 appearances.
"Last year I lost (to her) by ippon and was very disappointed so I am happy to get revenge," Tachimoto said. "I wanted to show that I have grown with a stubborn type of judo. In order to win the championship at the Rio Olympics I need to clear one goal at a time."
Suzuka Ichihashi and 20-year-old Sara Yamamoto, who made her debut, placed third. Sara Asahina lost to Ichihashi in the quarterfinals.
