Japan’s Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Uta Abe won the 52-kilo category at the Zagreb Grand Prix on Friday in her return to the international stage for the first time since the games last summer.
A day after turning 22, Abe won five fights to secure the title with Tokyo Olympics 48kg winner Distria Krasniqi of Kosovo falling victim in the final. Abe won by ippon thanks to two waza-ari marked by a big outside fall and an immobilization on the mat.
Uta Abe (2nd from left) of Japan poses with his gold medal in judo 52 kilograms at the Zagreb Grand Prix on July 15, 2022 in Zagreb, Croatia. (Photo courtesy of the International Judo Federation)(Essonne Info)
Abe underwent both shoulder surgeries last fall and was sidelined from the sport for six months. She resumed national bouts in April but pulled out after winning just one match as a safety precaution.
Fellow countrywoman Wakana Koga also won the tournament in the women’s 48kg category, while Genki Koga finished third in the men’s 60kg category.
