Shohei Yabiku overcame a slow start to dominate the second period of his 77-kilogram Greco-Roman bronze medal match and defeat Iran's Mohammadali Geraei 13-3 on Tuesday, while compatriot Yukako Kawai guaranteed at least a silver in the women's 62-kg division.
Sara Dosho, the 2016 champion, missed out on a medal, losing her 68-kg bronze medal match to Ukraine's Alla Cherkasova by fall 2 minutes, 33 seconds into their match at Chiba's Makuhari Messe Hall, east of Tokyo.
Trailing 3-0 after the first period as he had in his 3-1 quarterfinal defeat on Monday, Yabiku roared back and delivered a pair of thundering throws, the second ending the bout by technical superiority with 6 seconds remaining.