France and Japan grab glory

Published September 16, 2003

OSAKA (Japan), Sept 15: France beat Japan 3-2 in the final of the men’s eight-nation judo team tournament here Monday.

The the bronze-medal play-offs, Russia beat South Korea 4-1 and Iran defeated Cuba 4-0.

In the final of the women’s eight-nation contest, Japan defeated China 3-2.

France won a bronze by beating Germany 4-1 and the other bronze went to Cuba after they defeated South Korea 3-1 in the women’s play-offs.

The Japanese Judo Federation awarded five million yen (42,700 dollars) each in scholarships to the first men’s and women’s teams, three million yen to the runners-up and one million to the third teams.

Results

Men:

Ist round: Russia bt Australia 5-0; Japan bt Cuba 3-1; France bt South Korea 3-1; Iran bt Tunisia 5-0

Semifinals: Japan bt Russia 3-2; France bt Iran 3-1

Repechage: Cuba bt Australia 4-1; Iran bt Cuba 4-0 for bronze; South Korea bt Tunisia 5-0; Russia bt South Korea 4-1

Final: France bt Japan 3-2

Women:

Ist round: Germany bt Australia 5-0; Japan bt Cuba 4-0; China bt France 3-2; South Korea bt Tunisia 4-1

Semifinals: Japan bt Germany 4-1; China bt South Korea 4-1

Repechage: Cuba bt Australia 5-0; Cuba bt South Korea 3-1 for bronze; France bt Tunisia 4-0; France bt Germany 4-1 for bronze

Final: Japan bt China 3-2.—AFP