BUDAPEST, June 19 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's Kim Ya-yun claimed her first world title in the women's +78kg category, while Inal Tasoev defended his crown in the men's +100kg on the final day of individual competition at the World Judo Championships on Thursday.
The women's heavyweight gold-medal bout was an all-Asian contest between Kim and Japan's Mao Arai. Kim secured the win with superior composure and posture throughout the match.
Lee Hyeon-ji of South Korea and Romane Dicko of France took bronze in the category.
In the men's heavyweight division, 2023 world champion Tasoev of Russia battled Georgia's Guram Tushishvili in a tightly contested final, with the lead changing twice. Tasoev earned a waza-ari to overcome Tushishvili's earlier yuko and successfully retained his world title.
Temur Rakhimov of Tajikistan and Kim Min-jong of South Korea shared the bronze.
After seven days of individual events, Japan topped the medal standings with six golds, four silvers, and four bronzes.
A total of 172 athletes from 16 nations and regions are set to compete in the mixed team events on Friday.
