Arab News Japan

DUBAI: Natsumi Tsunoda won Japan’s first gold medal on Saturday at the Paris Olympics in the women’s 48-kilogram judo semifinals.

The three-time 48-kg world champion from Japan spent one minute eliminating her French opponent with  an overhead “tomoe-nage” throw.

Tsunoda is set to play against Sweden’s Tara Babulfath in the semifinals at the Champ-de-Mars Arena.

Tsunoda is the first Japanese woman to win gold in the under 48-kg division since Ryoko Tani at the 2004 Athens Games.

The Paris Olympics began on Friday, with 304 Japanese athletes competing in 34 sports, including  Judo, fencing, badminton, tennis, basketball, handball, canoeing, surfing and more.