The Vietnam International Judo Championships 2009 wrapped up Sunday in Ho Chi Minh City with Japan coming first, followed by Vietnam and South Korea.

Although Japan. , the origin of judo, sent a young team including university students and provincial athletes, they led the tournament with seven gold, four silver and two bronze medals.

Vietnam’s Van Thi Kim Thoa (above) beats Japan’s Mayu Amenia with ippon at Hochiminh City’s Phan Dinh Phung Stadium July 7 (Photo: SGGP)

Vietnam took five golds to rank second and South Korea third with two golds.
 
In addition, Vietnam won six silver and nineteen bronze medals. Huynh Nhat Thong, Ho Ngan Giang and Dang Hao bagged the gold medals in the men’s 55kg, 60kg and 100kg categories, while Van Thi Kim Thoa and Dang Le Bich Van took the golds in the women’s 52kg and 45kg events, respectively.

South Korea earned four silver and eight bronze medals in both men’s and women’s events.

The tournament, the 18th of its kind so far, drew 170 athletes from Japan, South Korea, France, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Laos, Hong Kong and Vietnam.

It was a warm-up event for judo artists from regional countries to prepare for the first Asian Martial Art Games in Thailand and the 25th Southeast Asian Games in Laos this December.