BAKU - Japan's Haruka Kaju defended her title in the 63-kilogram category at the judo world championships on Wednesday, extending her win streak to 40 bouts since her senior international competition debut in December 2024.
The top ranker defeated 2024 champion Joanne van Lieshout of the Netherlands by ippon with a circle throw in the semifinals before downing Israel's Karem Primo in the final, helped by a yuko with an over-the-back throw, as she strolled through all five bouts in Baku.
"This might be even more pleasing than last year," said Kaju, who has improved her standing techniques on top of her strength on the ground.
"I don't have an extension of the win record as my purpose. I want to win one bout at a time. I want to get to a level where everyone says, '63 kg is for Kaju,' and sweep the titles."
Yoshie Ueno was the last back-to-back winner from Japan in the category after she triumphed in the 2009 and 2010 worlds.
Kaju's win made it a perfect four-from-four start for Japan in the women's competition.
