Sarah Asahina clinched gold in the over 78-kg weight class at the World Judo Championships on Wednesday as all nine Japanese reached the podium in the women's classifications.
It was the first time since the inauguration of the women's world championships in 1980 that every Japanese female competitor achieved a podium finish in the individual competitions at the judo worlds.
Asahina, who was runner-up last year at the Budapest worlds, ensured her status as gold-medal favorite for Tokyo 2020 by beating Rio Olympic silver medalist Idalys Ortiz of Cuba after each took two shido penalties at National Gymnastics Arena.