Japanese judo gold-medal winners return home

Japanese judo gold-medal winners return home

NARITA, Japan - Seven members of the Japanese judo team show off the gold medals at Narita airport Oct. 13 on their return from the world judo championships in Birmingham, England, where they won a total of eight golds. The judoists are (front from L) Noriko Narasaki, Ryoko Tamura, Keiko Maeda, (Rear from L) Noriko Anno, Kosei Inoue, Shinichi Shinohara, Hidehiko Yoshida.

Japanese judo gold medalists salute supporters

Japanese judo gold medalists salute supporters

BIRMINGHAM, England - Japanese gold medalists salute supporters after the Oct. 10 end of the World Judo Championships held in Birmingham, England. The gold medalists (from L to R) are Shinichi Shinohara (men's open event), Ryoko Tamura (women's 48-kg), Keiko Maeda (women's 63-kg) and Hidehiko Yoshida (men's 90-kg).

Japan's Maeda claims 1st world judo gold

Japan's Maeda claims 1st world judo gold

BIRMINGHAM, England - Japan's Keiko Maeda (R), a 19-year-old Tsukuba University sophomore, throws down Gella Vandecaveye of Belgium in the final to capture the women's 63-kg title in her debut in the world stage at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham on Oct. 8.

World champion Maeda tripped up, out of competition

World champion Maeda tripped up, out of competition

SYDNEY, Australia - Defending world champion Keiko Maeda of Japan is tripped up by Celita Schutz (R) of the United States in the second round of the women's 63 kg judo competition at the Sydney Olympics on Sept. 19 and sent home after only one match.

Japanese judo gold-medal winners return home

Japanese judo gold-medal winners return home

NARITA, Japan - Seven members of the Japanese judo team show off the gold medals at Narita airport Oct. 13 on their return from the world judo championships in Birmingham, England, where they won a total of eight golds. The judoists are (front from L) Noriko Narasaki, Ryoko Tamura, Keiko Maeda, (Rear from L) Noriko Anno, Kosei Inoue, Shinichi Shinohara, Hidehiko Yoshida.

Japan's Maeda claims 1st world judo gold

Japan's Maeda claims 1st world judo gold

BIRMINGHAM, England - Japan's Keiko Maeda (R), a 19-year-old Tsukuba University sophomore, throws down Gella Vandecaveye of Belgium in the final to capture the women's 63-kg title in her debut in the world stage at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham on Oct. 8.