The Osaka Judo Grand Slam 2018, the fifth and final Grand Slam of the season, started today (23 November) at the Maruzen Intec Arena, Japan. M.Urantsetseg will wrestle against World Championships silver medalist Tonaki Funa for a gold medal of the competition.

Former world champion M.Urantsetseg has held on to to her status in the women’s 48 kg as the world number one after victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam in October. Five-time Grand Slam winner M.Urantsetseg won Japan’s Grand Slam in 2016 and took silver in 2013 and 2017.

Japan’s Grand Slam, which is being held in Osaka rather than Tokyo, due to preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, is a special event and is one of the most important dates on the calendar. A total of 421 athletes (262 men and 189 women) from 71 countries; are participating in the Osaka Judo Grand Slam; of them, 13 judokas are Mongolians.