Kentoku Seals Lausanne Gold with Uchi-mata

Kairi Kentoku claimed the -66 kg title in Lausanne after a gripping all-Japanese final against Shinsei Hattori. Four minutes into golden score, the 22-year-old produced a textbook Uchi-mata for Ippon and his first gold medal at grand slam level.

Japan had already secured the top two places before the final began, underlining the country’s remarkable depth in the category. Kentoku and Hattori, two judoka from the same rising generation, brought strong recent results into their meeting in Lausanne.

Hattori had arrived ranked 63rd in the world, but his run to the final followed a steady rise. Since winning the Chengdu FISU World University Games in 2023, he had added Asian silver in 2024, Tokyo Grand Slam bronze in 2025 and Tashkent Grand Slam silver in 2026.

Kentoku, ranked 20th before the event, had also built an impressive record. The 2025 Japanese champion went on to win gold at the Rhine-Ruhr FISU World University Games, take silver at the Tokyo Grand Slam and earn bronze at this year’s Paris Grand Slam. His 16 Ippon victories from 34 international contests showed how decisively he had been progressing.

The final reflected how well the two Japanese athletes knew each other. Neither gave much away during regular time, and Kentoku entered golden score carrying two Shido to Hattori’s one. Hattori then received another Shido, levelling the penalties and keeping the contest finely balanced.

Kentoku found the decisive Uchi-mata when the pressure was at its highest.

After four minutes of additional time, Kentoku’s attack ended the contest instantly. The Ippon delivered the title and prompted an emotional reaction from the new champion, who said he immediately thought of the coaches, friends and family members who had supported him.

The bronze medal contests also featured two European judoka. Spain’s David Garcia Torne earned bronze, adding another notable result to his record. Ukraine’s Vadym Chernov finished fifth after a tight contest with Ramazan Abdulaev of Russia: Chernov scored first with Yuko, Abdulaev answered with a Yuko of his own, then secured bronze with a counter in golden score.

Kentoku stood at the top of an all-Japanese final, but Garcia Torne’s podium finish gave Spain a place among the -66 kg medallists in Lausanne.

Source: IJF.org

Image source: IJF / International Judo Federation