Haruka Funakubo won the women's -57 kg title at the 56th All Japan Business Judo Individual Championships, her first victory at the event, while Akari Omori — Japan's -57 kg representative for next month's World Championships — moved up to -63 kg and won that category. The championships took place on 5–6 September at Daisin Arena in Sakai, Osaka, doubling as a qualifier for the Kodokan Cup.
Video: Funakubo Haruka wins -57 kg at the All Japan Business Judo Individual Championships ("柔道 練習、試合の動画" channel, YouTube). Open on YouTube
Funakubo's comeback final
In the -57 kg final, Funakubo came from behind to beat Momo Tachikawa with a juji-gatame (cross arm lock) for ippon. The Paris bronze medallist, who won the title at this event for the first time, produced the two comeback victories to cap her return to form.
Omori wins a category up
Omori, who competes for JR East and is Japan's -57 kg representative for the Baku World Championships next month, entered this event one category up at -63 kg and won it impressively. In the semi-final she beat Airi Yamaguchi with a waza-ari from ashi-guruma flowing into harai-makikomi.
Video: Akari Omori wins at -63 kg at the All Japan Business Judo Individual Championships ("柔道 練習、試合の動画" channel, YouTube). Open on YouTube
Funakubo (Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance) and Omori are part of a deeper Japanese women's -57 kg picture heading into the Baku World Championships in October.