Rin Maeda wins Asian Games gold after Tang Jing is disqualified for biting
- Rin Maeda’s path to a -70kg judo gold medal at the Nagoya Asian Games took a turn for the surreal.
- Maki Tsukada, the Japan women’s judo coach, confirmed the severity of the contact.
- I regret that we hadn't anticipated that something like this might happen,” she remarked.
A Bizarre Disqualification on the Mat
Rin Maeda’s path to a -70kg judo gold medal at the Nagoya Asian Games took a turn for the surreal. Just over a minute into her quarterfinal bout, Maeda’s opponent, Tang Jing, was disqualified for biting her during a ground clinch. As the two athletes separated, Maeda presented her arm to the referee, revealing visible teeth marks above the wrist.
The Evidence of the Clinch
Maki Tsukada, the Japan women’s judo coach, confirmed the severity of the contact. Despite the protective tape Maeda wore on her arm, the evidence was undeniable. “It was to the point where we thought she might actually start bleeding, but it didn’t go as far as needing disinfection or anything like that. Still, the teeth marks were clearly and firmly there,” Tsukada stated.
An Unprecedented Breach of Protocol
I regret that we hadn’t anticipated that something like this might happen,” she remarked.
Securing the Title
Following a review of the footage, judges removed Tang from the bracket, clearing the way for the 21-year-old Japanese judoka to advance. Maeda won his remaining matches in the competition, defeating Kazakhstan's Azhar Askhat in the final round to claim the gold.
Reflections on the Podium
Despite the mid-tournament controversy, Maeda credited her success to a disciplined approach to the unique demands of the multi-sport event. “I entered this tournament with a strong determination to win gold. Preparing for a multi-sport event like this was a unique experience, but I was able to prepare properly each day and deliver my best performance,” she said.