Aleksandar Kukolj [in white] claimed gold with an ippon in the final ©IJF

Serbia's Aleksandar Kukolj produced a superb ippon with 49 seconds remaining to claim gold in a rare break from Japanese domination here today at the International Judo Federation (IJF) Tokyo Grand Slam.

It came as home judoka won three more gold medals to end with 10 from the 14 available.

But, for the first time all week, there was no Japanese presence in a final as Kukolj took on Frenchman Axel Clerget in the under 90 kilograms division.

It marked a repeat of the match-up from the IJF Abu Dhabi Grand Slam final in October, with the same result.

Kukolj briefly had to leave the tatami to receive treatment on his hand midway through the contest.

He returned in style to produce an ippon through a tai-otoshi with 49 seconds remaining.

Japan did take both bronze medals courtesy of Kenta Negasawa and Daiki Nashiyama.

Kurill Denisov, left, claimed the gold medal in the men's under 100kg gold ©IJF
Kurill Denisov, left, claimed the gold medal in the men's under 100kg gold ©IJF

Today's other non-home success came in the men's under 100kg division, where Russia's Kurill Denisov emulated his victory at last month's Qingdao Grand Prix.

France took a second silver of the session in another all-European final after Rio 2016 bronze medallist Cyrille Maret was beaten with a yuko.

Shohei Shimowada and Kentaro Iida ensured a Japanese third-placed double once again.

Ruika Sata won the first of the three Japanese titles as she returned to the top of the podium in Tokyo for the first time since 2012 by beating Ulaanbaatar Grand Prix bronze medallist Park Yujin.

The South Korean conceded a shido after almost four minutes of a tightly contested dual.

Three of the four medals went to Japan as Mami Umeki shared bronze with compatriot Rika Takayima.

Local judoka Sarah Asahini took over 78kg honours after overcoming 16-year-old opponent Akira Sine in a golden score period.

Asahini, who started the sport at the Kodokan here in the Japanese capital, won in golden score when Sone, who was almost 30kg lighter than her opponent, was penalised for passivity.

China's Su Xin and Japan's Kanae Yamabe took the two bronze medals.

Sarah Asahini, second left, won the gold medal in the women's over 78kg ©IJF
Sarah Asahini, second left, won the gold medal in the women's over 78kg ©IJF

Tyumen Grand Slam bronze medallist Takeshi Ojitani then claimed victory in the final event of the tournament.

The 24-year-old celebrated his first gold medal success after beating fellow countryman Kokoro Kageura after accruing two shido penalties to his opponent's three.

Hyoga Ota and Rye Schichinohe each took the bronze medals to complete the Japanese clean sweep of the medals.

It was fitting that the three-day event should end with four Japanese flags flying high in what marks the final major judo competition of the year.

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