OTP Bank World Senior Championships 2025 Hungary IndividualsMURAO SanshiroTAJIMA GokiBEDEL Kenny KomiMAISURADZE Luka

-90 kg: Murao Breaks the Glass Ceiling

Jun 17, 2025
by: Jo Crowley
Gabriela Sabau, Emanuele Di Feliciantonio, Tamara Kulumbegashvili
In an all-Japanese final, the -90 kg category crown would either go to the 2024 Olympic silver medallist or to the 2024 world champion; either way, it was a great day for Japan, having already secured gold at -70 kg at the beginning of the final block.
An all-Japanese final.
An all-Japanese final.

It was a clean final with high quality attacks, even though neither competitor could register a score. In the end, Sanshiro Murao won on penalties and could finally call himself a world champion.

Sanshiro Murao, world champion.
Sanshiro Murao, world champion.

After the final, Sanshiro Murao said, "My dream was to become world champion, since I started judo, as a kid, and I can't believe it's real right now. Nobody does it alone. I'm so grateful for my team, my coaches and everybody who supported me. This is just the beginning towards the Olympic Games and I'll take it step by step."

The first bronze medal contest featured Klen Kristofer Kaljulaid of Estonia and Eljan Hajiyev of Azerbaijan, a physical showdown in which neither had the edge, at least not for the first two minutes. At the halfway point though, Hajiyev countered for a yuko, putting the Estonian under pressure. In the end that was the only score of the contest. Hajiyev had his first world medal and Kaljulaid, who had a great day prior to the final block, was unable to reach the podium.

Eljan Hajiyev (AZE) wins a world bronze.
Eljan Hajiyev (AZE) wins a world bronze.
Article image

The second bronze medal contest was fought between Kenny Komi Bedel (ITA) who had seen off the double Olympic champion of the category in the morning session, and Bekauri’s teammate, also a world champion, Luka Maisuradze. Bedel’s route through the day could not have been much tougher but he has brought his A-game to Budapest and is rising to the challenge of such an event.

Maisuradze (GEO) throws for bronze.
Maisuradze (GEO) throws for bronze.

Ninety seconds into the contest an attack from Bedel gave Maisuradze a chance to counter and put his first score on the board. Another attack from the Italian with a minute to go was treated the same way. The Georgian threw for ippon with o-uchi-gaeshi to be the only Georgian on the podium on day 5 of the event. Bedel had a fantastic day and looks set for some bigger results in the future.

Luka Maisuradze (GEO) with coach Levan Zhorzholiani.
Luka Maisuradze (GEO) with coach Levan Zhorzholiani.

Competition Results

-90 kg

Final

Sanshiro MURAO
JPN
vs
Goki TAJIMA
JPN

Bronze Medal Contests

Klen Kristofer KALJULAID
EST
vs
Eljan HAJIYEV
AZE
Kenny Komi BEDEL
ITA
vs
Luka MAISURADZE
GEO
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of North Macedonia Mr Timčo Mucunski, IJF Sport Director and Olympic champion Mr Kosei Inoue, and Hungarian Judo Association EC member Mr Sándor Hegely.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of North Macedonia Mr Timčo Mucunski, IJF Sport Director and Olympic champion Mr Kosei Inoue, and Hungarian Judo Association EC member Mr Sándor Hegely.
Article image