San Francisco Frontiers - Japan on top of the world with golden judo haul

Victory also allowed the Japanese to maintain their perfect record in the mixed final -- winning all six times the event has featured at the worlds.

First to appear on the tatami, France's Joan-Benjamin Gaba stunned Soichi Hashimoto, the bronze medallist in -73kg division this week, inside 21 seconds.

"I had already lost twice to Hashimoto, so I said to myself: 'This time I won't lose'," said Gaba.

Margaux Pinot then looked impressive, beating new -70kg world champion Saki Niizoe with a golden score, but Japan came back to 2-1 after Goki Tajima's win over Maxime-Gael Ngayap Hambou (-90 kg) in overtime.

Coralie Hayme won on penalties after 6min 20sec to defeat Maya Segawa as France led 3-1 to stand just one point from the title.

However, new Japanese sensation Tatsuru Saito (+100kg) defeated Joseph Terhec on penalties before Haruka Funakubo brought the countries level at 3-3 by seeing off Olympic -57kg silver medallist Sarah-Leonie Cysique by waza-ari in under 30 seconds.

In the decider, newly-crowned -70kg world champion Saki Niizoe edged out Margaux Pinot on penalties.

As well as their six golds, Japan collected two silver and four bronze for a total haul of 12 medals.

France were second overall with two gold, four silver and two bronze.

F.Edwards--SFF