Naohisa Takato of Japan, left, and Yang Yung-wei of Taiwan compete during their men's 60-kg judo

But Takato’s gold in the men’s under-60-kilogram competition – and, moments earlier, silver for Japan’s Funa Tonaki in the women’s under-48-kg – was the moment where a little-loved Olympics was meant to find the favour of its hosts.... Many hope for more.“ No doubt, we want a gold medal in all weight categories, ” said Naoki Ogata, the technical operations manager with the International Judo Federation. Tonaki’s silver made that impossible.... Other spoilers may yet come, including from Canadi

" I have nothing to say other than it's finally over," said Hidenori Fujiwara, the 65-year-old head of Jidaiya, which operates a rickshaw service in Tokyo's Asakusa district, on the end to the state of emergency.... " We have waited and endured for a really long time." There have only been 28 days this entire year when Tokyo was not under a coronavirus quasi-or full state of emergency.... Jidaiya typically deploys at least 20 rickshaws daily during the busy season, but as of late it's been ope

A volunteer works outside the Nippon Budokan stadium for judo ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics, on July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.... Although no fans will be in attendance when the Budokan hosts judo and the Olympic debut of karate in the second Tokyo Games, this is so much more than a martial arts hall--the literal translation of its name.... " This is where it all began," said Neil Adams, a two-time Olympic judo silver medalist for Britain who competed at the Budokan in 1978....