CAIRO, Sept 12: South Korea stunned favourites Japan to take the men’s team title as the world championships drew to a close on Monday. France denied the South Koreans a double with victory in the women’s event.

Japan’s world under-90kg champion Hiroshi Izumi lost his bout as Korea took an unassailable 3-1 lead through Jong Bu-Kyong, Kim Min-gu and Hwang Hee-tae.

Georgia defeated France for the first men’s bronze medal. France’s Daniel Fernandes and Anthony Rodriguez fought up from their usual weight but were easily beaten by Grigol Mamrikishvili and Irakli Tsirekidze respectively.

Iveri Jikurauli then beat Matthieu Battaille to ensure Georgia a place on the podium.

Brazil won the other medal after Egypt was forced to withdraw two players due to injury. Tiago Camilo duly delivered one victory Brazil needed with an inner thigh throw against Ahmed Abdel Kawy.

In the women’s competition, France started badly when Annabelle Euranie lost the opening bout to Kim Kyong-ok by strangulation but Celine Lebrun, Barbara Harel and Lucie Decosse then all recorded victories.

Algeria finished off a successful tournament with a bronze medal, beating a combined Oceania team, which also included a Brazilian and a Dominican to make up the numbers.

Algeria earned its first world championship medals when Abderaman Benamadi won silver in the men’s under-81kg division and Soraya Haddad took bronze in the women’s under-48kg.—Reuters