Hisayoshi Harasawa eked out a narrow final win over Ryu Shichinohe to secure the men's over 100-kg division title on the final day of the Tokyo Grand Slam on Sunday.
Harasawa needed extra time to beat Shichinohe and lift his first championship after both received three shido penalties each at one of the qualifying competitions for the Olympics next summer. Shichinohe, runner-up in the last two world championships, was given another shido after Harasawa's inner thigh throw and small inner reap saw him off the ring.
"It's a good appeal winning the head to head. My appraisal should have improved somewhat," said Harasawa, whose championship on the day meant he claimed his sixth straight international tournament and won his third straight encounter against Shichinohe.
"The only way left for me is to keep on winning (to secure the Olympics berth). I might lack the experience Shichinohe-san has but I'll make much of my momentum," said the 23-year-old.
Mashu Baker edged London silver medalist Asley Gonzalez of Cuba for the 90-kg crown on shido penalties within the regular time, and world champion Ryunosuke Haga followed suit to win the 100-kg title also on shido against South Korea's Cho Gu-ham. Haga had four straight ippon wins en route to the final, and is enjoying his current world No. 1 status.
"It gives me confidence. There's no way I can lose here," said Haga, 24. "I'll get studied more and chased about. I'll just think about winning the gold (at Rio de Janeiro) and keep my feet on the ground."
Among the women, Nami Inamori scored a combined ippon to defeat the London- winning Cuban Idalys Ortiz for her second straight over 78-kg title. American Kayla Harrison claimed her second straight 78-kg title.