China claims 3 more golds at Judo Grand Prix Qingdao

Hosts China won three of the seven gold medals on offer on the second day of the Judo Grand Prix Qingdao 2012 on Sunday.

Chinese judoka Cheng Xuzhao won the men's 90kg category final by beating his compatriot Zhang Jun with an ippon. He upset South Korean Huh Chae Goo in the semifinal by yoku.

"It was beyond my expectation," he said. "I didn't expect to win because I was not in my top form. I was injured in the National Championships this September and was not fully recovered. I am so happy to win."

Shangdong native Yu Song lifted the title of the women's over 78kg category after a tough fight with world champion Qin Qian, while Chen Fei won the women's 70kg gold by beating Brazilian Maria Portela.

China had some advantage in the women's 78kg category but Beijing Olympic champion Yang Xiuli failed to make the semifinal, and another judoka Han Li was upset by Slovenian Anamari Velensek with an ippon in the semifinal.

Velensek won the title after a fight against South Korean Jung Da Woon.

Brazil clinched its first gold here as Victor Penalber won the men's 81kg final after beating Russian Murat Khabachirov.

Lithiania also pocketed a gold as Marius Paskevicius upset Renat Saidov of Russia in the men's over 100kg final.

Japan won one more title Sunday by Kumashiro Yusuke, who only took about 20 seconds to beat his opponent by an ippon in the men's 100kg final.

The Judo Grand Prix Qingdao 2012, which runs from Nov. 24 to 25, attracted over 300 athletes and coaches.