2024 Junior WC Day 2: Dushanbe rises to the occasion

On Thursday, the second day of the Junior World Judo Championships kicked off in the city of Dushanbe.

Tajikistan is a judo loving nation with people gathering from all across the county to bear witness to youth athletes from all over the globe.

In the -57kg category, Riko Honda of Japan was superb, throwing Yuying Tao of China twice, the second score a beautiful footsweep for Ippon.

Mohamed Meridja IJF Education and Coaching Director awarded her the gold.

“I’m very happy because I really wanted to win this world championship. Tajikistan has very beautiful buildings, I’ve never been here before so I want to come back," said Honda.

Keito Kihara was the star at -73kg. A perfectly executed Uchi-Mata, scoring Ippon, meaning the former cadet world champion, is now the junior world champion.

Tajikistan Judo Federation President Ismoil Mahmadzoir awarded the medals.

“Yesterday when I arrived at the venue and saw the big crowds shouting I was excited and a little bit nervous. But today, I heard them all cheer for me when I threw, which was amazing," said Kihara.

Melkia Auchecorne was in Dushanbe to defend her title from last year. And after a tough encounter with Italy’s Savita Russo, the French starlet scored two waza-aris, she was once again crowned Junior World Champion at -63kg.

IJF Head Sport Director Vladimir Barta gave her the gold medal.

“I won last year, this year too. It was so difficult, my opponent was so strong. It was hard, like you can hear (she points at her chest as she is out of breath) so I cannot believe it, for now I don’t even know," said Auchecorne.

After Mr Ismoil Mahamdzoir presented awards to legends of Tajik judo.

One of their best known athletes, Paris Olympic bronze medalist Temur Rakhimov spent time signing autographs and taking photographs with the adoring Tajik judo public.