2nd Irie Knocks Off World Champion to Make Japan's World Team; Ota Gains 63kg Spot

Monday, July 22, 2019 - 11:36 By Ken Marantz

TOKYO (July 21) --- For the second time in two weeks, a reigning world champion was knocked off Japan's team to this year's World Championships. And for the second time, the conqueror was a wrestler named Irie.

Nanami IRIE earned a place alongside older sister Yuki on the plane to Kazakhstan when she defeated Haruna OKUNO 3-1 in a playoff for the women's 55kg berth on the Japanese squad.

Irie, a former world junior and cadet champion, scored a takedown off a counter early in the second period and held on to beat Okuno, the 2018 world champion at 53kg who missed out on the world team in that weight class.

Meanwhile, Rio 2016 silver medalist Shinobu OTA showed he could handle the extra weight at Greco 63kg when he crushed national champion Yoshiki YAMADA by 11-0 technical fall as he eyes winning his first senior world medal.

The final round of playoffs were held in Tokyo in the non-Olympic weight classes, in which wrestlers who placed second in the two national qualifying tournaments in Olympic divisions were also eligible to enter.

On July 6, the wrestle-offs were held in the Olympic weight classes, in which Asian champion Yuki IRIE upended two-time world champion Yui SUSAKI at 50kg. That match was somewhat overshadowed by Risako KAWAI's victory over four-time Olympic gold medalist Kaori ICHO at 57kg.

There was added incentive to make the world team in the Olympic weight classes this year because the Japan federation ruled that any wrestler winning a medal in one of those divisions at the Nur-Sultan worlds will automatically clinch a place on the team for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Nanami Irie had attempted to make the team at 53kg, but lost in the final of the All-Japan Championships last December to Mayu MUKAIDA---the 55kg world champion who moved down to the Olympic division and subsequently secured the berth at that weight.

Irie said she never would have tried to make the team at 55kg had sister Yuki not won her showdown with Susaki.

"I thought, I have to fight hard, too," Irie said. "I wanted to win here and go to the world championships with my sister. That's all I thought about."

Both Irie and Okuno defeated the third entry, world junior and U-23 champion Saki IGARASHI, handily before their clash in the round-robin format of the wrestle-offs, which were held on one of the six mats of the spacious wrestling room at the National Training Center. Only teammates, coaches, federation officials and a smattering of press were in attendance.

Irie gained a point in the first period with Okuno on the activity clock, then countered a single-leg takedown and went behind to make it 3-0. Okuno cut the gap to 3-1 with a stepout with :15 left, but Irie was never in real danger as she avenged a loss from the semifinals of the All-Japan Invitational Championships in June.

"In the match the other day, I was too impatient and gave up a bunch of points early," Irie said. "She has a good feint, and I was prepared not to fall for it. I kept in mind keeping my stance and to keep moving. I had an image of her going for a single-leg takedown and how I would stop it."

Okuno, who had beaten Irie in both of their previous meetings, might not have been as mentally sharp as possible. The consolation prize of the 55kg berth was not much incentive for her, and she said she only decided the previous day to even take part in the playoff.

"I had no intention of entering, I didn't want to enter," Okuno said. "Thinking I might want to do it at the last minute, my coach said I should just go ahead and submit the entry form. It was only yesterday that I decided to take part. Once I decided, mentally I was able to turn the switch back on and prepare for the match."

Looking back on the loss, Okuno commented: "She is strong at countering moves. I think she came up with the right strategy against me."

The 24-year-old Irie now has to prepare for handling the extra weight against the best in the world.

"In Japan, there's not such a big difference in terms of body size," Irie said. "Overseas, I feel on the small side even at 53kg. At 55kg, I feel really small. From now, I have to come up with a way to deal with it."

Shinobu OTA showed he could handle the extra weight at Greco 63kg when he crushed national champion Yoshiki YAMADA, 11-0. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Ota puts on impressive display at heavier weight

Ota's path to the 60kg berth was blocked by 2017 world champion Kenichiro FUMITA, his longtime training partner and rival who defeated him in both of the national tournaments.

That leaves Ota's only hope of making it to Tokyo 2020 being that Fumita fails to make the podium in Nur-Sultan. As long as there is a chance, he is determined to stay ready, and moving up to 63kg for the time being is part of the process.

"I thought it over from many angles," Ota said. "Whatever happens, when it comes to the Olympics, all I can do is wait for a result that's favorable to me. But I can't just wait around. To aim for the world title at 63kg is just staying prepared for what happens in the process for the Tokyo Olympics. I believed this was the best approach."

In his match against Yamada, Ota went ahead with an early takedown. Then when Yamada was put in the par-terre position, Ota put on an awesome display of raw power and technique.

Using a front headlock, he ripped off two rolls to make it 7-0. Then, keeping the same hold, he added the coup de grace with a powerful 4-point throw to end it with a technical fall at 1:58.

"This isn't my weight class, but I was given the chance to compete at the world championships at 63kg," Ota said. "For that purpose, I prepared diligently. Anyway, this year I will aim to become the champion at 63kg."

Ota had some compassion for Yamada, a current star at Ota's alma mater, Nippon Sport Science University, and with whom he has sparred in practice.

"He's someone I've always had a soft spot for, so I felt sorry to put his through this. I have total respect for him, and I had to go all out. I suppose I owe him a dinner."

Ota has already been successful internationally at 63kg, winning the Hungarian Grand Prix and finishing second at the Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov tournament earlier this year. He will face a major test this week when he heads to Belarus for the Oleg Karavaev Memorial.

Yudai TAKAHASHI earned the 79kg spot with after a 5-4 win over Yuta ABE. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

In other action, two high schoolers earned trips to the senior worlds with close victories, as Yudai TAKAHASHI held on for a 5-4 victory over Yuta ABE at freestyle 79kg and Yuzuka INAGAKI edged Yumeka TANABE 4-4 for the women's 59kg spot.

"It hasn't really sunk in yet," said Takahashi, who avenged a loss by technical fall to Abe at the All-Japan. "But to be able to compete, I'm very grateful and I will work hard leading up to the world championships."

Takahashi will be keeping busy. He has the national high school championship next week, then the World Junior Championships in August.

While there will two pairs of sisters heading to Nur-Sultan (Yukako KAWAI will join sister Risako along with the two Iries), a brother combination was thwarted when Kojiro SHIGA proved too strong for Daichi TAKATANI at freestyle 70kg.

Asian Games silver medalist Takatani, who failed to unseat world champion Takuto OTOGURO at 65kg, moved up to 70kg in an attempt to join older brother Sosuke, Japan's entry at 86kg, on the world team.

But Shiga, the silver medalist at the Asian Championships in April, was able to shut down Takatani's low single attempts and counter rolls to rally from a 6-4 deficit to win 15-8.

"I could feel that he had changed weight class," Shiga said. "I was cutting 5 kgs myself, so I felt the difference in body size, that I was bigger.

"He preceded me at [Takushoku] University and we had practiced together. So we know each other. I knew he was good at tackles, and I kept alert for that."

In the women's 72kg class, former two-time world junior champion Masako FURUICHI won out in a three-women playoff that saw the late withdrawal of high school phenom Yuka KAGAMI.

Kagami, who will compete at 72kg at the world junior championships, said she preferred to begin making the transition to the Olympic weight of 76kg. Two-time world bronze medalist Hiroe MINAGAWA filled that spot on the Japan team, but a failure to medal at Nur-Sultan would open the competition back up.

Japan National Team

Freestyle
57kg - Yuki TAKAHASHI
61kg -Kaiki YAMAGUCHI
65kg- Takuto OTOGURO
70kg - Kojiro SHIGA
74kg- Mao OKUI
79kg- Yudai TAKAHASHI
86kg- Sosuke TAKATANI
92kg -Tkuma OTSU
97kg -Naoya AKAGUMA
125 kg - Nobuyoshi ARAKIDA

Greco-Roman
55kg - Shota OGAWA
60kg - Kenichiro FUMITA
63kg - Shinobu OTA
67kg - Shogo TAKAHASHI
72kg - Tomohiro INOUE
77kg - Shohei YABIKU
82kg - Yuya OKAJIMA
87kg - Masato SUMI
97kg - Yuta NARA
130kg - Arata SONODA

Women's Wrestling
50kg - Yuki IRIE
53kg - Mayu MUKAIDA
55kg - Nanami IRIE
57kg - Risako KAWAI
59kg - Yuzuka INAGAKI
62kg - Yukako KAWAI
65kg - Naomi RUIKE
68kg - Sara DOSHO
72kg - Masako FURUICHI
76kg - Hiroe MINAGAWA

#JapanWrestling

Yoshimoto continues to shine while in Susaki’s shadow

Saturday, December 21, 2024 - 15:41 By Ken Marantz

Remina YOSHIMOTO successfully defended her 50kg title with a win over Umi ITO. (Photo: Takeo YABUKI / JWF)

TOKYO (December 21) -- In a world without Yui SUSAKI, Remina YOSHIMOTO might have accumulated a stack of world and perhaps Olympic titles by now. But the reality is what it is, and Yoshimoto continues to pick up any golds that Susaki decides to forego.

Yoshimoto, who for five years now has not lost to an opponent not named Susaki, captured her second straight women's 50kg title at the Emperor's Cup All-Japan Championships on Saturday in Tokyo.

The 2021 world champion scored the decisive takedown midway through the second period, then held on for a 3-2 victory over 2023 world U23 champion Umi ITO for her fourth career crown.

"I defended at the end when the match got tough," Yoshimoto said. "I realize that I need to be able to defend by breaking the opponent down. I'll keep that in mind at practice from now on."

In other highlights on the third day of the four-day tournament at Tokyo's Yoyogi No. 2 Gym, world U20 champion Sakura ONISHI captured her first Emperor's Cup title at 59kg in dramatic fashion, while Tatsuya SHIRAI picked up an elusive first crown two years after a historic victory at the world U23.

Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) Remina YOSHIMOTO tries to turn Umi ITO after scoring a second-period takedown in the women's 50kg final. (Photo: Takeo YABUKI / JWF)

In the women's 50kg final, an exchange of activity points had Yoshimoto ahead on criteria when she scored a double-leg takedown at the midpoint of the second period. Ito pressed ahead and scored a stepout with 12 seconds left, but a last-ditch shot was parried by Yoshimoto's sprawl, which is how the match ended.

From the start of 2020, the 24-year-old Yoshimoto has lost just four matches -- all to Susaki, the 2021 Tokyo Olympic gold medalist who took a bronze last summer in Paris after being dealt her first-ever loss by a non-Japanese.

Since then, along with her triumph at the 2021 worlds that Susaki skipped, Yoshimoto also captured international golds at the 2021 and 2022 Asian Championships, as well as the 2023 Asian Games.

There is speculation that Susaki, who has struggled to make weight at 50kg, might move up to 53kg in the run-up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. That prospect was made more viable with the announcement by Akari FUJINAMI, the Paris gold medalist at 53kg, that she will move up to 57kg.

"I'm not thinking about that," Yoshimoto said. "Anyway, I'm aiming to go to the World Championships next year at 50kg. I'm looking at each and every match as they come and not thinking about what my weight class will be ahead."

Another reality of Japanese women's wrestling is that there always seems to be someone new coming down the pipe. Even if Susaki leaves, coming up behind Yoshimoto is red-hot teenager Yuu KATSUME, with whom she is well acquainted -- they are in the same training group.

Yoshimoto still trains at her alma mater of Shigakkan University, where members of the team from the affiliated high school, which Katsume attends, also practice. Katsume has put up Fujinami-like numbers, having won 18 straight tournaments, including the world U17 at 46kg this year, since a loss in the fifth grade of elementary school in 2019.

"She's really motivating me," Yoshimoto said. "It provides a great training environment.

As for someday finally getting the best of Susaki, Yoshimoto said, "She's really got my number and it's been tough. I want to find the strength and a way to win."

Sakura ONISHI (JPN) Sakura ONISHI forces Sena NAGAMOTO to her back before securing a fall in the women's 59kg final. (Photo: Takeo YABUKI / JWF)

Rising star Onishi pins down 1st title

At women's 59kg, Onishi was trailing 6-4 in the second period when she used a nifty move to take 2023 world U23 silver medalist Sena NAGAMOTO directly to her back and secure a fall at 4:50.

In the standing position, Onishi had an overhook on Nagamoto's right arm. But instead of going for an underhook on the other side, she twisted to her own right while applying pressure on the arm, crushing Nagamoto to the mat.

"I was trying for low singles, but she was ready for that," Onishi said. "Even if I got in, I couldn't get points from it. I thought, what should I do? My coach in the corner gave me advice and I had faith in it. At the end, the move I used is one that I thought I would use at some time. To do it on such a big stage gives me confidence."

The 18-year-old Onishi stole the spotlight last spring when she took down one of Japan wrestling's biggest names at the Meiji Cup All-Japan Invitational Championships, which, along with the preceding year's Emperor's Cup, serve as domestic qualifiers for the World Championships.

Onishi stunned two-time Olympic champion Risako KINJO (formerly KAWAI) en route to the 59kg title. Although she suffered a last-second loss to Kinjo in a playoff for the 59kg spot at the Non-Olympic Weight Category World Championships, Onishi's credentials were well established.

With world U17 and U20 titles already in her collection, Onishi can clinch a trip to her first senior World Championships with a victory at next year's Meiji Cup, which will be held in June.

"The Meiji Cup [last year] was my first [senior] national-level tournament, so I felt no pressure," Onishi said. "I went there to enjoy the experience and I kind of flew under the radar. This time I will be seeded and, even though I'm just 18, there will be pressure. I'm really grateful to all those who support me."

Onishi is currently a freshman at powerhouse Nippon Sports Science University, where Olympic champion Fujinami has taken her under her wing as a mentor. Like all but one of Japan's 11 Olympic medalists, Fujinami was not entered in the tournament, but she was on hand to cheer on her teammate.

"Akari was watching me from the stands and that gave me strength," Onishi said with reverence. "She's the person I admire the most. It's because of Akari that I am here now."

Tatsuya SHIRAI (JPN) Tatsuya SHIRAI, right, clamps down on Yudai TAKAHASHI in the freestyle 86kg final. (Photo: Takeo YABUKI / JWF)

Shirai finally breaks through at 86kg

Two years ago in Pontevedra, Spain, Shirai was on top of the world when he won the freestyle 86kg gold at the World U23 Championships, a feat that made him the heaviest Japanese in history to win a world title on any age level.

After that, things did not go so well, as Hayato ISHIGURO established himself as the top dog at 86kg and qualified for the Paris Olympics. Shirai failed to defend his world U23 title in 2023, losing the Aaron BROOKS (USA), who ironically would oust Ishiguro in Paris. Shirai also had to settle for a bronze at this year's Asian Championships.

In Saturday's final, Shirai grinded to a 3-0 victory over Yudai TAKAHASHI in a battle between two immovable blocks of granite and former NSSU teammates, scoring a stepout to go with a pair of activity points.

"We know each other pretty well," Shirai said.

To make the final, Shirai had to get past veteran Sohsuke TAKATANI, winning their semifinal clash 2-1, with all of those points coming on the activity clock.

"I think what Shirai needs to be concerned with is that he didn't score any technical points off me," Takatani said. "You can't leave winning or losing up to the referee. If he's going to aim for the Olympics, he needs to be more bold."

Takatani is a 12-time national champion who dropped back down to 86kg after spending the past three years at 92kg or 97kg -- and even taking a stab at Greco. Currently the head coach at Takushoku University, he won a world silver medal at 74kg in 2014, and made three Olympic appearances but never came home with a medal.

When younger brother Daichi won the 74kg silver in his Olympic debut last summer in Paris, it apparently lit a fire in Sohsuke.

He says his immediate goal is to get to the 2026 Asian Games, a tournament in which he has never taken part and which will be hosted by Japan. Long term, his eyes may also be on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, when he will be 39.

Godai MITANI (JPN) Godai MITANI scores the first of two quick-fire 4-point throws in the Greco 63kg final against Ayata SUZUKI. (Photo: Takeo YABUKI / JWF)

Soon-to-be-fireman goes out with a bang

Unheralded Ikuei University senior Godai MITANI pulled off the surprise of the day when he obliterated three-time Asian medalist Ayata SUZUKI with a pair of spectacular throws in the Greco 63kg final.

Mitani used an arm drag to lock up Suzuki's right arm, then reached around and grabbed his chin and twisted him back and down to the mat for a quick 4.

Suzuki came out of the scramble with a front headlock, but Mitani worked his way up to lock up Suzuki's head and arm, then, putting his schoolboy judo experience to work, hit a hip throw for another 4 to end the match in 28 seconds.

Mitani was unknown when he entered Ikuei, where he worked hard and managed to make his way onto some collegiate podiums, culminating with his first and only national collegiate championship this year.

Mitani has never competed overseas and, although he is halfway to earning a trip to next year's World Championships, he will not be going. Mitani said the All-Japan was his final tournament, as he has already committed to joining the fire department in his home Hiroshima Prefecture after graduating.

Also putting a cap on their career was Ikuei teammate Hanano SAKURAI, the younger sister of Paris Olympic 57kg champion Tsugumi SAKURAI. Hanano, who took a bronze medal at 50kg, will take a job as an elementary school teacher back home in Kochi Prefecture.

Day 3 Results

Freestyle

74kg (15 entries)
GOLD -- Hikaru TAKADA df. Iori KOSHIBA, 5-3
BRONZE -- Shuri ITO df. Kojiro SHIGA by TF, 12-0, 3:38
BRONZE -- Daiju SUZUKI df. Ryota UCHIYAMA, 8-3

79kg (16 entries)
GOLD -- Ryonosuke KAMIYA df. Ryuki YOSHIDA, 4-4
BRONZE -- Subaru TAKAHARA df. Hirotaka ABE, 5-0
BRONZE -- Kirin KINOSHITA df. Natsura OKAZAWA, 8-5

86kg (8 entries)
GOLD -- Tatsuya SHIRAI df. Yudai TAKAHASHI, 3-0
BRONZE -- Sohsuke TAKATANI df. Masakiyo YOSHIDA by TF, 11-0, 1:19
BRONZE -- Fumiya IGARASHI df. Daisuke MASUDA by TF, 10-0, 1:17

Greco-Roman

55kg (18 entries)
GOLD -- Yuhei YAMAGIWA df. Kenta OGUSU by TF, 9-0, 3:29
BRONZE -- Mizuki ARAKI df. Soken MASUDA, 9-5
BRONZE -- Ryuma KAWANO df. Taiga ONISHI, 10-3

63kg (20 entries)
GOLD -- Godai MITANI df. Ayata SUZUKI by TF, 8-0,: 28
BRONZE -- Komei SAWADA df. Kazuki YABE, 1-1
BRONZE -- Manato NAKAMURA df. Taishi NARIKUNI by TF, 8-0, :59

130kg (15 entries)
GOLD -- Yuta NARA df. Shion OBATA, 3-1
BRONZE -- Sota OKUMURA df. Koei YAMADA, 5-1
BRONZE -- Ayumu IWASAWA df. Naoto YAMAGUCHI, 7-1

Women's Wrestling

50kg (12 entries)
GOLD -- Remina YOSHIMOTO df. Umi ITO, 3-2
BRONZE -- Hanano SAKURAI df. Rinka OGAWA, 4-0
BRONZE -- Miyu NAKAMURA df. Mayo OTA, 7-0

59kg (12 entries)
GOLD -- Sakura ONISHI df. Sena NAGAMOTO by Fall, 4:50 (6-6)
BRONZE -- Yui SAKANO df. Sae NOGUCHI, 8-3
BRONZE -- Himeka TOKUHARA df. Minori ASANO by TF, 10-0, 1:41

76kg (6 entries)
GOLD -- Nodoka YAMAMOTO df. Yasuha MATSUYUKI by TF, 10-0, :56
BRONZE -- Mizuki NAGASHIMA df. Miku OTSUNA, 4-1

2nd Irie Knocks Off World Champion to Make Japan's World Team; Ota Gains 63kg Spot

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Yoshimoto continues to shine while in Susaki’s shadow