#ThrowBackThursday

#TBT: Otoguro becomes Japan’s youngest male world champion

By Eric Olanowski

BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 14) --- In our most viewed YouTube video of all time (4, 364,000 + views), then-19-year-old Takuto OTOGURO ?? defeated Bajrang PUNIA ??, 16-9, in the ‘18 65kg world final and became Japan’s youngest-ever male world champ. He was 19 years and 10 months old.

#ThrowBackThursday

#TBT: Monday Stops Fadzaev From Winning Fifth World Title

By Eric Olanowski

In a battle of reigning Olympic champions, Kenny MONDAY ?? defeated Arsen FADZAEV ?? in the 74kg gold-medal match at the ’89 World Championships. At the time of their meeting in Martigny, Switzerland, Fadzaev won world titles in ’83, ’85, ’86, ’87 and a gold medal at the ’88 Seoul Olympic. After the loss to Monday in ’89, he rebounded and went on to win additional world titles in ’90 and ’91 and a second Olympic gold in ’92.