#WrestleAlexandria

Atli cuts down, rises to the top in Alexandria

Sunday, February 26, 2023 - 21:44 By Vinay Siwach

Share this article

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (February 26) -- Suleyman ATLI's (TUR) 2022 was rather lackluster as he failed to win a gold medal in three competitions and finished eighth at the World Championships. But as the year was ending, Atli sent a strong message through his social media, "no worries. I am doing my best to make 2023 my year. Stay tuned."

Atli took the first step in that direction on Sunday by winning the first gold medal of the year at the Ibrahim Moustafa Ranking Series event in Alexandria, Egypt.

Atli, who spent last year at 61kg, made the move back to 57kg, a weight in which he competed at the Rio and Tokyo Olympics. While he looked wanting last year, Atli's physical capacity and athleticism looked better than ever Sunday, enabling him to dominate his opponents.

In the gold medal bout, he faced a familiar foe in Andrii YATSENKO (UKR), a former two-time U17 world champion, and both put on a show. Atli scraped through to win 12-11 in a final which tested him both technically and physically.

Suleyman ATLI (TUR)Suleyman ATLI (TUR) outscored his opponents 40-3 before the final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Before the final, Atli outscored his opponents 40-3 with a semifinal win over Nicholas SURIANO (USA) with smart tactics of keeping his energy conserved to outperform Suriano.

The former European champion coming down to 57kg also means that he is slightly bigger for this weight. Though it gives him the advantage of strength over his opponents, it also exposes the limitation of a wrestler when it comes to wrestling at the same pace for six minutes.

Like his semifinal, Atli took a smart approach conserving his energy in the first period of the final against Yatsenko and going for smart shots in the second. Hence, the score at the break read 1-0 for Yatsenko.

He came out firing in the second period, scoring ten points in the opening 55 seconds using a deep double, then gave up two from a crotch lift when trying to pick up an exposure. The two broke containment when Atli shot back in on another double leg, scoring a takedown before transitioning into a pair of ankle laces. After being down 1-0 in the opening period, Atli led 10-3 one minute into the second.

Yatsenko stormed back with a vengeance, quickly adding eight points from a takedown and three exposures, cutting Atli’s lead to 12-11. But it wasn’t enough to win, as the Turk bellied down in the final 10 seconds to hold Yatsenko’s comeback hopes.

Suleyman ATLI (TUR)Suleyman ATLI (TUR) raises Andrii YATSENKO's (UKR) hand after winning the 57kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Atli congratulated Yatsenko on a great final and as a sign of a good show of sportsmanship, the Turk raised his Ukrainian opponent's hand as if signifying support for Ukraine even as his country recovers from the devasting earthquakes which occurred three weeks ago.

After the final, Atli posted an emotional message to lift the spirits of his countrymen in these testing times.

"I started the 2023 season with a gold," Atli wrote and added, "I will do my best to continue with gold. It is so important for me and on the other hand, my joy of winning the championships was bad because of the earthquakes in our country. I hope I made you happy and smile. My only wish is that we will get over this disaster together as soon as possible."

On Saturday, world champion Taha AKGUL (TUR) also won the gold but wore a black-colored tracksuit instead of Turkiye's traditional red for the medal ceremony.

"In these days when we were in mourning and low morale as a country, I was fortunate to win a gold medal in an important tournament in Alexandria, Egypt," Akgul wrote. "I went out with a black tracksuit on purpose because our sadness has not passed and our hearts are still with them [earthquake victims]. May the gold medal I won be a gift to all our earthquake victims."

The two also received 1500 Swiss Francs for winning gold medals as United World Wrestling awards prize money to all the medal winners of the Ranking Series events from this year. The gold medalists get 1500 Swiss Francs, the silver medalists get 750 Swiss Francs and the two bronze medalists get 500 Swiss Francs each. The tournaments also allow wrestlers to compete with a two-kilogram weight allowance.

Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM)Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) scores using a gut wrench against Joseph MCKENNA (USA) in the 65kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

In other gold medal bouts of the evening, Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) defeated Joseph MCKENNA (USA) to win the 65kg gold medal and continue his growth at 65kg in which he also won a U23 world title last year.

In typical Tevanyan style, he kept Mckenna at bay in the first period as both wrestlers began on a slow note. Tevanyan called passive and gave up points as well. But for action points, Tevanyan struck first with a single leg to lead 2-1. He added another as he passed McKenna’s left elbow and found his near ankle followed by a gut wrench.

McKenna, trying to find an opening to cut the lead, shot a swing single with his elbows wide, when Tevanyan used an underhook throw-by for a third takedown which was enough to win 8-2.

Tevanyan's ability to dictate terms in a wrestling bout was on display in Alexandria as he waited to hit his counters, defended like his life depends on a single point and used a few big moves one of which was a roll for four in his first bout.

Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ)Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) won the 70kg gold medal over Lucas CHITTUM (USA). (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Another U23 world champion who won gold in Alexandria was Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), claiming 70kg gold over Lucas CHITTUM (USA) with a 10-0 win.

Like always, Akmataliev was involved in some exciting bouts right from the start. He wrestled Zafarbek OTAKHONOV (UZB) in the opening bout and sneaked past him with a 7-5 win with a late stepout.

He then got 2022 U23 world champion Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO) and it was only the Georgian's conditioning, or rather a lack of it, which let him down as Akmataliev scored a fall after leading 14-7.

Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) thought he could get the better of his compatriot but Akmataliev never allowed the former to dominate and won the semifinal 2-2. He set up a final with Chittum who had defeated AGUDAMU (CHN), Cuneyt BUDAK (TUR) and Ihor NYKYFORUK (UKR) to reach the final.

Akmataliev, well recovered from the tough morning session, began the final against Chittum with an arm throw which was stopped by Chittum who only gave up a point step out.

Akmataliev extended his lead to 5-0 using two counter-offensive exposures off of Chittum’s head inside a single leg. He then slipped out of a Chittum underhook and got to a single leg for two additional points. A step out shortly after pushed his lead to 8-0. He ended the match with another single leg, claiming technical superiority.

After the whistle, Akmataliev seemed to be upset with Chittum and added a slap to his back. As both guys got up, they had to be separated by the official, both wagging their fingers at each other. But after his hand was raised, Akmataliev did tone down and shook hands with his American opponent.

Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR)Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) tries a double-leg against Zahid VALENCIA (USA) in the 86kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Another American finished with a silver medal as Zahid VALENCIA (USA) fell in the 86kg final after some solid wins in the morning session.

Vasil MYKHAILOV (UKR), a veteran at 79kg, made the move up to 86kg and tasted success in his first tournament with a gold over a strong field in Alexandria.

The World Championships bronze medalist has wrestled at 86kg once before -- at the 2019 Alexander Medved Ranking Series -- but finished 14th. He then shuffled between 74kg and 79kg, and qualified for the Tokyo Olympics but failed to win a medal. For Paris, Mykhailov is switching to 86kg and will take home a lot of confidence along with the gold.

In his first bout, he defeated world medalist Boris MAKOEV (SVK) and with wins over Islyambek ILYASSOV (KAZ) in the quarterfinal and Tariel GAPHRINDASHVILI (GEO) in the semifinals, Mykhailov showed that he can handle tough bouts. He capped the day with perhaps his biggest win over Valencia.

Mykhailov took the early 4-0 lead with a chest wrap off of Valencia’s double leg but Valencia bounced back and picked up two for the exposure after his misfortunes on the double, then tacked on two step-outs, tying the match 4-4 but Mykhailov holding criteria.

The Ukrainian head-pinched Valencia for two, regaining the outright 6-4 lead but Valencia once again came back to make it 6-6. Mykhailov used a head pinch to score and seal up the win, 8-6.

Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO)Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) defeated Amirhossein KAVOUSI (IRI) in the 79kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 79kg, Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) had to survive a late comeback from Amirhossein KAVOUSI (IRI) to win the gold medal.

In the final, Kentchadze used a Greco-esk high-dive double-leg to put Kavousi on his back, nearly picking up the fall. The Iranian bellied out, giving up his left arm to a trapped arm gut wrench and a pair of exposures. Kentchadze raced to an 8-0 lead after the 30-second exchange.

Kavousi brought life back into the final as he foot swept Kentchadze from his feet to his back and cut the deficit to 8-4 after the opening three minutes.

In the second period, Kavousi doubled Kentchadze in front of the Iranian corner, cutting his opponent's lead to 8-6. Kentchadze, however, weathered the storm and used a go-behind off of Kavousi’s single-leg attempt to increase his lead to 10-6. Despite giving up a late step out, the Georgian hung on to win, 10-7.

This was Kentchadze's second tournament at 79kg after the Zagreb Open in which he won the silver medal. The upgrade in Alexandria saw him win 9-6 against Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) in the opening bout, 12-2 over Arman AVAGYAN (ARM) in the quarterfinals and beat Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) 10-5 in the semifinal.

Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ)Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) defends a shot from Taras MARKOVYCH (UKR) in the 61kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 61kg, Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) defeated Taras MARKOVYCH (UKR) 9-2 to pocket the gold medal on his Ranking Series debut.

Zhumashbek Uulu had made the day significant for himself well before the final as he defeated U23 world champion Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) 10-0 in the bout. He had lost to the Armenian in the final of the U23 Worlds in Pontevedra, Spain last year.

He followed up that win with a 9-6 win over Jahongirmirza TUROBOV (UZB) and an 18-6 destruction of Yasin REZAEI (IRI) in the semifinal.

In the final, he attacked Markovych relentlessly and was rewarded with two takedowns in the first period and two more in the second. He also scored a point via stepout.

Kollin MOORE (USA)Kollin MOORE (USA) won the 92kg gold, second Ranking Series title in three weeks. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

The gold medal bouts at 74kg and 92kg saw medical forfeits and saw Iakub SHIKHDZHAMALOV (ROU) and Kollin MOORE (USA) winning the gold respectively.

Moore was supposed to face teammate Nathan JACKSON (USA) in the final but the latter pulled out, perhaps because of the bleeding from the head he struggled with throughout the day.

Moore and Jackson looked in great touch on Sunday and deserved to be the finalists. Jackson began his day with a 5-2 win over Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) before handling Pruthviraj PATIL (IND) 10-0. He defeated Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) 8-2.

From the other side of the bracket, Moore reached the final by beating world bronze medalist Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) 12-2, a far more convincing victory than 4-3 in the Zagreb Open final, and Khaled ELMOATAMADAWI (EGY), 11-1. Moore has now won two Ranking Series gold medals in the space of three weeks.

Iakub SHIKHDZHAMALOV (ROU)Iakub SHIKHDZHAMALOV (ROU), center, alongwith the other medalists at 74kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 74kg, Vincenzo JOSEPH (USA) forfeited his final bout to give the gold medal to Shikhdzhamalov who now has won two Ranking Series medals. He won a silver at 79kg in Matteo Pellicone last year.

While he did not wrestle in the final, Shikhdzhamalov displayed his skills on the mat which stunned everyone. After winning against Darkhan YESSENGALI (KAZ) in the first bout, Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) in the second and Mohamed ABDELHADY (EGY) in the quarterfinal, he set up a semifinal against Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR).

Demitras had it all figured out and did not let Shikhdzhamalov get near him for four minutes and 30 seconds, leading 3-0. That is when Shikhdzhamalov used his craft and pulled off a scoop to takedown in which he faked Demirtas to cut the lead 3-2.

Shikhdzhamalov still needed at least a point to win and with the clock ticking down, he went for a desperate move. Demirtas was backing away, defending his one-point lead in the final 25 seconds when Shikhdzhamalov launched a duck under to score the match-winning takedown.

The focus will now shift to the continental championships with the first being the U23 European Championships beginning March 13.

The Asian Championships begins April 9 in Astana, Kazakhstan and the European Championships will be held in Zagreb, Croatia from April 17.

 

gf

RESULTS

57kg
GOLD - Suleyman ATLI (TUR) df. Andrii YATSENKO (UKR), 12-11

BRONZE - Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ) df. Manvel KHNDZRTSYAN (ARM), 4-2
BRONZE - Rakhat KALZHAN (KAZ) df. Nicholas SURIANO (USA), 2-1
 
61kg
GOLD - Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) df. Taras MARKOVYCH (UKR), 9-2

BRONZE - Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) df. Yasin REZAEI (IRI), 10-0
BRONZE - Austin DESANTO (USA) df. Shota PHARTENADZE (GEO), via fall

65kg
GOLD -  Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) df. Joseph MC KENNA (USA), 8-2

BRONZE - Erik ARUSHANIAN (UKR) df. Sebastian RIVERA (PUR), 7-2
BRONZE - Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) df. Edemi BOLKVADZE (GEO), 10-0

70kg
GOLD - Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) df. Lucas CHITTUM (USA), 10-0

BRONZE - Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO) df. Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ), 6-4
BRONZE - Ihor NYKYFORUK (UKR) df. Cuneyt BUDAK (TUR), via fall

74kg
GOLD - Iakub SHIKHDZHAMALOV (ROU) df. Vincenzo JOSEPH (USA), via inj. def.

BRONZE - Mitchell FINESILVER (ISR) df. Semen RADULOV (UKR), 7-2
BRONZE - Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) df. Darkhan YESSENGALI (KAZ), 5-1

79kg
GOLD - Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) df. Amirhossein KAVOUSI (IRI), 10-7

BRONZE - Chandler MARSTELLER (USA) df. Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ), 2-1
BRONZE - Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) df. Arman AVAGYAN (ARM), 4-2

86kg
GOLD - Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) df. Zahid VALENCIA (USA), 8-6

BRONZE - Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL) df. Ethan RAMOS (PUR), 11-8
BRONZE - Tariel GAPHRINDASHVILI (GEO) df. Boris MAKOEV (SVK), 13-2

92kg
GOLD - Kollin MOORE (USA) df. Nathan JACKSON (USA), via inj. def.

BRONZE - Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) df. Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ), 10-0
BRONZE - Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) df. Khaled ELMOATAMADAWI (EGY), 10-0

#JapanWrestling

Olympic champ Higuchi on fact-finding mission to get grasp on American folkstyle

Thursday, March 6, 2025 - 11:32 By Ken Marantz

Share this article

TOKYO (March 6) -- The conventional wisdom is that domestic folkstyle hampers American wrestlers trying to make the transition to the international stage. Paris Olympic champion Rei HIGUCHI (JPN), however, finds the opposite to be true, saying his toughest matches have come against opponents with such a background.

And the Japanese star has been on a fact-finding mission to find out why. Higuchi has been spending the winter learning American folkstyle while training at Lehigh University in the eastern U.S. in an attempt to find out what makes that version of the sport tick, and how he might be able to integrate its techniques into his own reportoire.

"When I face opponents who had done American style, I always have a hard time," Higuchi said in an interview last year prior to departing on his journey.

Higuchi, the freestyle 57kg gold medalist in Paris, cites the difficulty he had in the final with Spencer LEE (USA), the American sparkplug whom he defeated 4-2 with a late takedown off a scramble -- the aspect of the sport that Higuchi notes Americans are particularly adept at.

"It was the same with Seth GROSS [USA]," he added, referring to his opponent in a wild 15-7 semifinal victory en route to the 61kg world title in 2022. "It's a different culture, isn't it? The difference in styles, what makes them strong, that's something I haven't yet figured out. By not knowing, I feel I still have room for growth and that's exciting."

Rei HIGUCHI (JPN)Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) wrestling at the Lehigh University. (Photo: Courtesy of Lehigh University)

The biggest difference between American folkstyle and the freestyle used around the globe is the emphasis on control in the former. Takedowns are generally the same, but what comes after that is how the two styles greatly differ.

In a loose equivalent of par terre, there is no returning the wrestlers to their feet after an allotted time for gaining exposure points, and the bottom wrestler is obligated to be on the move and try to escape or reverse. And there are no points for just exposing the back; the opponent must be held down on the mat for a certain count for points to be given.

"In college style, on the ground, they don't use the body lock, so their forearms are incredibly strong," Higuchi noted. "Maybe it was just Spencer Lee, but I feel like I have to train harder to get that strength in my forearms.

"Instead of a body lock, I think I can raise my level by learning how to maintain control [on top], how to get takedowns and how to use my body. I want to practice a lot."

Regarding his first impression of the differences, Higuchi said in a message earlier this winter, "I feel that in folkstyle, there are a lot of scramble situations. In freestyle, you wrestle trying to keep your legs from getting touched. But these guys don't seem to care if someone gets in on a tackle.

"From the time the leg is touched, they are thinking about how to get control of the opponent. In that way, the American wrestlers are far superior in scrambles then those from other countries."

Lehigh UniversityLehigh University wrestling training room.

Lehigh comes calling

While it was Higuchi who would go off in search of enlightenment, it was actually Lehigh that came to him and proferred an invitation to practice with the team in the middle of the U.S. collegiate wrestling season.

The 29-year-old Higuchi, who defeated Lehigh alumnus Darian CRUZ (PUR) in the quarterfinals in Paris, said he was approached in September after the Olympics. He needed little persuasion.

"For them to think so highly of me, I was really happy," said Higuchi, who was allowed to bring his wife and baby daughter. "I want to help them produce NCAA champions."

The final arrangements were made by Sanshiro ABE (JPN), a former NCAA champ at Penn State currently living in Pennsylvania where Lehigh is located, via Shingo MATSUMOTO (JPN), the head coach at Nippon Sports Science University, Higuchi's alma mater where he continues to train.

From the start, Lehigh coach Pat SANTORO (USA), along with Kerry MCCOY (USA), the head coach of the Lehigh Valley Wrestling Club, were on board with Higuchi's coming.

"When Kerry McCoy and I were approached we were obviously very excited," Santoro said in an interview by email. "Kerry spent some time in Japan last year with Darian Cruz and learned so much. I have been a huge fan of Rei's for many years, so it was an easy decision."

Lehigh's timing was just right, because soon after other teams came calling for Higuchi. But he said he had already made a commitment and would stick to it.

"Actually, from [Tadaaki] HATTA I heard that Oklahoma [State] definitely wanted me to come," Higuchi said. "But I had already decided to accept Lehigh's offer, so I thought maybe I could go after that had finished. Oklahoma [State], Penn State, Iowa. Well, Iowa, I'm not sure, with the connection with Spencer Lee," he said with a grin.

Lehigh, which has a traditionally strong wrestling program, is an academically select private university with an enrollment of 5,800 located in the town of Bethlehem, about 90 kilometers north of Philadelphia and 130 kilometers west of New York City.

Higuchi is one of a number of top Japanese who have taken "sabbaticals" at U.S. universities this winter, after the country's wrestlers suddenly became hot commodities when they came away from Paris with a stunning haul of eight gold medals, a silver and two bronzes.

Reigning world 61kg champion Masanosuke ONO has been training at No. 1-ranked Penn State, while Paris 74kg silver medalist Daichi TAKATANI and Tokyo Olympic 65kg champion Takuto OTOGURO mixed it up at Ohio State.

But unlike Higuchi, the others went for exposure to American training methods, not to learn folkstyle. "I think it can be applied to freestyle," Higuchi said. "When we tied up, Seth was really strong in that position. His ability to be in control is higher than in freestyle now. I want to be able to do that part of it."

Higuchi said he knew going into the venture that, while his aim was to learn the American style, his hosts were not going to let the opportunity to pick the brain of an Olympic champion go to waste. As such, it natually evolved into a mutually beneficial arrangement for both sides, one in which Higuchi has already participated in a clinic for local wrestlers.

"I want to share the techniques I have with the Lehigh students, and conversely, I want to learn and absorb much from the Lehigh students that I can take back with me," Higuchi said. "I want it to be a fruitful three months."

Said coach Santoro: "Our staff and team ask a lot of questions about his training, learning new techniques and his mindset.

"I believe that freestyle and folkstyle are very similar and making a few minor adjustments will allow you to adapt to each style. At the end of the day, wrestling is wrestling and fundamentals are what wins at the highest level."

Higuchi said one thing he has he noticed is that American training sessions feature more live wrestling, while Japan's lean toward a more drill-oriented approach. "It's not a matter of which way is better, but the difference in culture seems to come out in the wrestling styles."

Rei HIGUCHI (JPN)Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) with wife Yuki and daughter Nagi at the airport before flying to the United States. (Photo: Rei Higuchi / X)

Longest stay abroad

Aside from international tournaments and overseas training camps, it marks the longest time Higuchi has spent overseas. "The longest up to now has been about three weeks," he said.

"I've been on extended practice tours to Russia, Mongolia and other places. But the max has been three weeks."

Ever since he attended the 2017 NCAA Championships in the midwestern city of St. Louis in 2017 ("They had massive crowds. Everyone eats popcorn as they watch," he recalls), Higuchi has been enamored with the fervor that Americans show for the sport.

He plans to stay through this year's NCAA Championships, to be held in nearby Philadelphia on March 20-22, and might consider a future stay in the States if the opportunity arises.

Rei HIGUCHI (JPN)Posing with Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) and others at the 2017 NCAA Championships in St. Louis. (Photo courtesy of Rei Higuchi)

"I've always wanted to go [to America]," Higuchi said. "But it was dependent on my putting up good results...In the future, I may be a coach in Japan, or perhaps a coach of a wrestler in America. I don't know how many years I will continue as an athlete.

"But I want to find a future work place that values the skills I have acquired, the passion I have for wrestling and my way of thinking."

In Japan, Higuchi has earned a reputation for being professional, polite and, for a Japanese athlete, outgoing in his own way. Coach Santoro said that that description fits the wrestler who has shown up in the wrestling room.

"Rei is extremely polite and friendly, what I noticed right away is how much he really enjoys wrestling," Santoro said. "He works extremely hard, but he often is smiling or laughing after a great scramble.

"His technique is some of the best I've seen in the world, he is fundamentally sound in so many positions. He is also very good at explaining his thought process of positional wrestling and technique."

Rei HIGUCHI (JPN)Playing the role of the typical tourist at the Statue of Liberty in New York in February. (Photo courtesy of Rei Higuchi)

Higuchi preceded his Lehigh adventure with a short stay at Cornell University, the alma mater of four-time world champion and two-time Olympic bronze medalist Kyle DAKE (USA) in upstate New York.

He arrived at Lehigh in December, but returned to Japan in early January to attend the wedding ceremony of fellow Olympic gold medalist and Nippon Sports Science alumnus Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN). When he returned to Lehigh, he was accompanied by his wife Yuki and daughter Nagi, who turned 1 in February.

The family, which took a sightseeing trip to New York City last month, has been staying at the home of Lehigh junior Ryan CROOKHAM (USA), who finished third at last year's NCAAs at 133lbs (60.3kg). Crookham is a local star from Hellertown, a neighboring town of Bethlehem.

"Our team loves having Rei around, they understand how elite he is and all of his accomplishments," Santoro said. "Seeing how well he prepares and how his mind works is very valuable for our guys. Some of the wrestlers on our team aspire to be World and Olympic champions, too."

Overcoming setbacks

Higuchi's determination enabled him to bounce back stronger from several devastating setbacks and ascend to the apex of the sport, the Olympic gold.

A native of Osaka in central Japan, Higuchi was pushed into the sport at age 3 by his mother, who was concerned he would be bullied because of his small size. His own stubbornness soured him on team sports, but was a good fit for an individual sport like wrestling.

"I was the type who would say, 'We lost because that guy stinks,'" Higuchi said in a 2019 interview with The Japan News. "In that way, wrestling is great. Everything depends on you. If you lose, it's you own fault. I think that is way it suits me."

His first setback came as an elementary school first-grader in 2002, when he lost in the final of that age group at the national championships. It's a loss that left a lifetime impression on him and solidified a distaste for losing that continued throughout his career. He went on to win his age group for the next five years.

He won his first senior national title in 2015 and qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he was dealt his second big disappointment. In the 57kg final, he suffered a heart-breaking and frustrating 3-3 criteria loss to Vladimir KHINCHEGASHVILI (GEO) in a match he had led 3-0.

Higuchi's bid to make amends for that loss led to perhaps the most devastating calamity of his career. After an unsuccessful bid to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics at 65kg, he moved back down to 57kg, only to infamously fail to make weight at the Asian Qualifying Tournament. He then lost a playoff for the Japan team spot to Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN).

Getting married -- his wife was a former national high school champion, and they had a long-distance relationship starting as high schoolers -- helped add structure to his life, and enabled him to better manage his nutrition and weight control. From there, there was no stopping him as he stormed to the gold in Paris.

The path ahead

So, what lies ahead for Higuchi? Like the vast majority of Japan's Paris medalists, he has not seen action since the Olympics, spending the time recovering and taking advantage of invitations to take part in TV variety shows and other frivolities.

Higuchi had toyed with the idea of entering the Meiji Cup All-Japan Invitational Championships in June, which will serve as the second of two qualifiers for this year's World Championships, but has indicated he will give that a pass.

His more immediate aim is to make the team to the 2026 Asian Games, a tournament that he has yet to compete in and which Japan will host in the fall of that year. He would likely have to begin the qualifying process for that at the Emperor's Cup All-Japan Championships in December.

"The next objective is to win a tournament that I haven't won before, which is the Asian Games," Higuchi said. "That's what I'm shooting for."

Beyond that, including defending his Olympic title, remains undecided. "As an athlete, I think I'll want to keep going up to Los Angeles," he said. "I still don't know about that."