The story started with the last-minute addition to the USA’s team, as he never competed in Europe before this addition. However, he became a boon for the USA as he made history by becoming the first USA man to reach the junior world podium. Along the same lines, he added the title to the record book of USA in the past thirty years. 

Furthermore, the world Junior Championship Judo’s winner recently added another chapter to his book of success. On Thursday, the USA’s judoka won the second straight medal and a silver medal. However, in the competition, he secured a spot in the Junior World championship finals and shocked the opponent with Ippon.  

How did the young prodigy master the skill of Ippon at the semifinals?

Being one of the best Judokas globally, Jack Yonezuka is placed at the 3rd position in the Junior World rankings across the globe. Yonezuka started with a bye before a round of 32 matches against bronze medalist Vinicius Ardina, 2023 Junior Am and Oceania championship and bronze medalist. 

In an exclusive interview with USA, Judo Yonezuka said, “The first match for me is always the hardest. I’ve fought this guy before and I knew stylistically he was tough for me, but I knew I could pull out the win,” He also added, “I actually didn’t expect it to be with newaza because last time it didn’t do super well for me, but I pulled it out. I got the nerves out and then just onto the next match.”

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However, as the event proceeded, he clinched a thrilling victory with a waza-ari ( half-point) in the final seconds. The next round saw him utilizing skills to pin Muhiddin Asadulloev (TJK) in less than a minute. In the quarter-finals, Yonezuka threw Mouhammad Gazaloev (BEL) for an ippon.

Nonetheless, Yonezuka faced Keito Kihara just one day after Japan dominated the lightweight gold medals. In the golden score, Yonezuka seized an opportunity and threw Kihara for another point, securing his place in the finals. Despite a fierce battle, the young prodigy made it to etch his name in the annals of Judo. In addition to this, USA Judoka Jack Yonezuka portrayed his exceptional skills by maneuvering and executing a stunning ippon on the Japanese champion, sealing his victory.

 Jack Yonezuka’s Final Match to Claim World Junior Championship Title 

Although Jack Yonezuka made an impressive appearance in the World Junior Championships, he did not claim the World Junior Championship title. Conversely, the first half of the final match was a draw between both opponents. However, the second half of the match took an unexpected turn. As Vusal Galandarzade was looking for a moment to grab Jack, he made an impressive move.

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Eventually, Jack had to settle for the silver medal as Vusal Galandarzade became a world champion. Although Jack did not make it to the gold, he became the first US man after thirty years to win the silver medal. Nonetheless, the exceptional skills of the young judoka make him far away from ending.

Finally, Jack not only performed exceptionally for the USA’s judo team but also made himself among the world’s top champions. However, the major challenge in front of a young judoka is to tackle his failures so that he can make it to gold in the upcoming championships.

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