BEIJING, May 25-- Yu Song has been well on her way to become the leading figure in China's +78kg as she claimed the second World Judo Masters title in Rabat, Monaco, on Sunday, according to International Judo Federation (IJF).

Yu, winner of the event in 2013, beat Japan's veteran Yamabe Kanae to claim the title. They entered the last minute of fight. With three shido against Yamabe, Yu finally won.

Yu also won the category at the Asian Championships earlier in May.

The World Judo Masters, which took place from May 23 to 24 at the Palace of Sport in Rabat, gathered top 16 athletes in each weight category and offered 700 points to the winners.

Yu, 28, is expected to replace 2008 Olympic champion Tong Wen to vie for the title in 2016 Rio Olympics.

Tong, dubbed "Kungfu Panda" for her lovely personality, has been in semi-retirement since 2013 when she got married.

Tong, born in 1983, had dominated the women's heavyweight category since 2008 and was a top favorite for the title in 2012 London Games only to finish a disappointing third.