Toma finishes 5th in Japan Judo tournament

Moldovan Judoka Sergiu Toma finished on the 5th place in the Grand Slam Tournament in Japan, on Saturday, December 10. In the qualifiers, the Moldovan defeated Canada's Kalem Kachur and Japan's Yuki Haruyama. In the battle for the bronze medal he was narrowly defeated by Brazil's Leandro Guilheiro, Info-Prim Neo reports. The result brought Sergiu Toma 60 points in the world rankings, which will determine entries to the London 2012 Olympic Games. Toma is currently rank 13th and has all but assured his participation in next year's Olympics. Sergiu Toma is the favorite to win the Moldovan Sportsman of the Year award, after winning the silver medal at the European Championship and the bronze at the World Championship in 2011. The names of the best sportsmen, coaches and teams will be announced on December 23 at the Moldovan Sports Gala.