Day two of the World Judo Championships in Baku delivered another masterclass from Japan's most decorated sibling duo. Uta Abe and Hifumi Abe both left the Azerbaijani capital with gold, extending their remarkable unbeaten runs on the world stage.
A sixth title for Uta Abe
In the -52kg final, Uta Abe faced Spain's Ariane Toro Soler, who had been in excellent form throughout the tournament. The Japanese champion, already an Olympic gold medallist and five-time world title holder, showed the composure that has defined her career. The contest was tactical and hard-fought, but Abe found the answers when it mattered, securing a sixth world title and maintaining her perfect record at these championships.
Toro Soler, ranked fifth in the world, had battled with determination to reach her first world final. She pushed Abe close, but the Japanese star's experience proved decisive. The medals were presented by Peter Csányi, CEO of OTP Group.
Hifumi Abe's spectacular finish
In the -66kg category, Hifumi Abe was the man to beat. The double Olympic champion and four-time world title holder faced Spain's David Garcia Torne, who was competing in his first world final. Garcia Torne had impressed in the preliminaries, but Abe produced a moment of brilliance in the final, throwing his opponent with a spectacular ippon that electrified the crowd.
The victory gave Abe his fifth world title and another golden moment for the siblings, who have become synonymous with judo excellence. Their dominance is a testament to Japan's enduring strength in the sport, and their performances in Baku have set the tone for the rest of the championships.
The event, which opened with a ceremony attended by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and International Judo Federation President Marius Vizer, has already produced memorable moments. On day one, Koga and Yusifov claimed the first golds, and the Abe siblings have now added to the spectacle.
As the championships continue, attention will turn to the remaining weight categories. But for now, the Abe siblings have once again shown why they are among the greatest judokas of their generation. Their achievements resonate beyond Japan, inspiring a new wave of judo talent across Europe and the world.
For European fans, the performances of Toro Soler and Garcia Torne offer hope for the future, even as they fell short against the Japanese juggernaut. The sport's global appeal was on full display in Baku, with athletes from across the continent and beyond competing at the highest level.
