Susaki Returns from Elbow Injury with Victory as Junior, but Laments Struggles

Wednesday, April 3, 2019 - 22:56 By Ken Marantz

TOKYO---Two-time senior world champion Yui SUSAKI went into the Japan Junior Queens Cup with the objective of winning a title in her comeback from a serious elbow injury in December, and going home with a smile.

She got half of what she wanted.

Susaki had to fight back tears after struggling to defeat relatively unheralded Remina YOSHIMOTO, 2-1, in the 50kg final of the junior division of the two-day tournament for Japan's young females at Tokyo's Komazawa Gym.

While a junior tournament, even on the national level, may seem below Susaki's pay grade, she saw it as a chance to get back on the mat following her injury, and, as she turns 20 in June, have one last fling as a junior. What she did not foresee was the immense pressure that she would put on herself to perform.

"In this final, I really felt the pressure," Susaki said. "Having that fear going into the match, it was the first time I wrestled feeling such pressure. Only a person who has become a champion can experience this. I will get over this and work hard to become a dominant, true champion."

Susaki, who won her second straight senior world title last October in Budapest, suffered a dislocated elbow just prior to the Emperor's Cup All-Japan Championships in December. That tournament was the first of two qualifiers for Japan's team to this year's world championships in Astana---where winning a medal will automatically clinch a spot on the squad for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

"Where I am at this point, I can't achieve my goal," Susaki said. "I will urgently pick up the pace to overcome my shortcomings, and renew my determination to make it to the Tokyo Olympics. Compared to myself at the world championships, I am still far behind my ideal level."

(Yui SUSAKI holds off Remina YOSHIMOTO in the junior 50kg final. Photo: Takeo Yabuki, JWF)

To get back to the worlds---and have a shot at the coveted ticket to Tokyo 2020---Susuki will next have to enter a qualifying tournament for the Meiji Cup All-Japan Invitational Championships in June, the second national team qualifier. She would then have to win the Meiji Cup, then defeat Emperor's Cup champion Yuki IRIE in a playoff.

Not impossible, as she did it last year to get to Budapest. But that time, she wasn't coming off a serious injury that has seemed to sap some of her confidence.

"She's only just returned and her elbow has healed, now she needs to increase the amount of practice," said Shoko YOSHIMURA, Susaki's coach during her days at the JOC Elite Academy who was in her corner on Wednesday. "She had a tough time in the final, but up to then, she had very good matches. We saw a lot of good things. She just needs to have confidence going into matches."

Susaki, her elbow taped, completely outclassed her first three opponents, winning by first-period 10-0 technical falls in her first two matches on Tuesday, then routing Ayaka HIRATA by the same score in their semifinal Wednesday morning.

But Yoshimoto, who just entered her freshman year at powerhouse Shigakkan University, proved to be formidable opponent, one who might crash the three-women 50kg party of Susaki, Irie and Rio 2016 champion Eri TOSAKA. Like Susaki, Yoshimoto needs to qualify for the Meiji Cup.

In the final, all three points came with the opponent on the activity clock, with Susaki scoring the go-ahead point with :40 left in the match. Yoshimoto had the best chance to score, as she got in on a deep single-leg early in the first period, but Susaki reached over and locked a leg and the move ended in a stalemate.

"In the final, I wasn't able to wrestle my way, and it became a tough match," Susaki said.

Yoshimoto, the 2017 world cadet champion at 46kg, sensed Susaki's anxiety, and regretted she could not take advantage to score a major upset over one of world wrestling's most popular stars.

"I think that she was under a lot of pressure this time, as this was her comeback from an injury," Yoshimoto said. "Psychologically, I was the challenger, which was an advantage for me. That I wasn't able to come away with a win was due to my weakness. She was under many times more pressure than me, and by winning, it shows how strong Yui is. That's something that I'm still lacking."

(Yui SUSAKI fights off a takedown attempt by Remina YOSHIMOTO in the junior 50kg final. Photo: Takeo Yabuki, JWF)

Yoshimoto made an impression as a high schooler at the Emperor's Cup last December, when she lost 8-4 to Irie in the quarterfinals, then pushed Tosaka in the third-place match before falling 7-3. She followed that up with a strong showing at this year's Klippan Lady Open, where she lost 4-4 to Chinese veteran SUN Yanan.

"She's a very good wrestler," Yoshimura said. "She uses the typical Japanese low stance. She had a great tournament."

Yoshimura added that Susaki's tough final proved only further how loaded Japanese women's wrestling is in the lower weight classes, and will only get stronger as the stakes rise.

"From now, they will raise each other's level, and the strongest wrestler will represent Japan at the world championships and Olympics," she said. "Looking at that, Japan has incredible depth, with many strong wrestlers. To win this fight is very difficult. If you beat them, you're very close to being a world champion."

Following Tuesday's session, Susaki spoke more in depth about her current condition and the recovery process. She also said the experience of being away from the sport only served to renew her devotion for it.

"My left elbow has pretty much healed, it's about at 90 percent," she said. "When I was injured before the Emperor's Cup and couldn't compete, it was really tough to take. It was the first time to have such a serious injury, and experience such hard times.

"It made me happy that I was able to wrestle again, and it made me realize how much I really like wrestling. Before I had to watch from the stands and bear the frustration, but to be able to now wrestle in a match, it's fun and I really know how happy it makes me. It makes me feel deep inside how important wrestling is to me."

Susaki said she was so desperate to get back into action, during rehab she even practiced one-handed. Unfortunately, she said, she ended up developing some bad habits which she had since amended.

As for entering the junior tournament, she replied, "Conversely, I didn't feel I had the choice not to enter. When I was unable to compete at the Emperor's Cup, I decided I would get back to full health and win the Queens Cup."

(Haruna OKUNO puts the pressure on Umi IMAI in the junior 53kg final. Photo: Takeo Yabuki, JWF)

Okuno also makes victorious comeback

Like Susaki, fellow world champion Haruna OKUNO missed out on the Emperor's Cup---in her case due to a stomach virus---and entered the Junior Queens Cup as part of her comeback.

Okuno was a rock of stability in winning the 53kg title, notching four without conceding a point, including a solid 6-0 win in the final over world junior and Klippan champion Umi IMAI.

That was Okuno's second 6-0 victory of the tournament, which also included a 10-0 technical fall and a victory by fall in which she had built a 12-0 lead.

(Haruna OKUNO defends against a takedown attempt by Umi IMAI in the junior 53kg final. Photo: Takeo Yabuki, JWF)

"More than a technical fall, I wanted to solidly score points," Okuno said. "Even when [Imai] got my legs, I was able to break free. Up to now, most times when the opponent got in my legs, they were able to lock it up. But I worked on breaking the hold."

Okuno is a product of the same wrestling club that produced legendary Saori YOSHIDA, and although the club stressed aggressiveness, her forte became defense, which she showed in the Junior Queens.

"I come from the same place as Saori [Yoshida], so attacking, going for tackles is the image that we have. But when I was in kids wrestling, I wasn't strong on tackling. I was the type of wrestler that had low scores, or come-from-behind wins or losses. To not give up points has been my strong point."

Okuno, who bounced back from finishing third at the Asian Games last summer by winning the gold in Budapest, has her work cut out for her to get onto the team for Astana. Mayu MUKAIDA, the world champion at 55kg, has dropped down to the Olympic weight of 53kg, and moved halfway to Astana by winning the weight class at the Emperor's Cup. Head-to-head, Mukaida has won all eight of their encounters.

(Yuka KAGAMI works for a takedown against Kanon KOBAYASHI during their round-robin match in the junior 72kg class. Photo: Takeo Yabuki, JWF)

In other action, two-time world cadet champion Yuka KAGAMI moved up to the junior division and made mincemeat of that group, posting four 10-0 technical falls and one fall to win the 72kg gold.

Kagami, who was named the UWW cadet wrestler of the year in 2018, said she has been inspired by JOC Elite Academy alum Susaki to take shots at the older divisions, and this year she finished second at the Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix and third at the Klippan.

"I didn't really think about that, but I watched Yui and other older teammates win on the senior level," she said. "I thought if I worked hard, I could do it, too."

The 17-year-old Kagami revealed that she will make her most bold challenge to date in June, when she moves up to 76kg for the Meiji Cup in a bid for Tokyo 2020 that few thought was in her range.

Kagami won the 72kg title at the Emperor's Cup in a field of four as the top wrestlers went either up or down to the Olympic divisions of 68kg or 76kg. But she wants to fulfill her Olympic dream sooner than later, which will put her on a collision course with two-time world medalist and defending champion Hiroe MINAGAWA.

"Right now, I'm in a non-Olympic weight, but it's my plan to enter the Meiji Cup at 76kg, win that and then the playoff, then go to the world championships," Kagami said. "Everyone's saying to me 'Paris [2024]', but for myself, I'm aiming for Tokyo."

In the 55kg class, world U23 and junior champion Saki IGARASHI scraped out a 3-0 win over high schooler Tsugumi SAKURAI in the final.

Two of Japan's reigning world junior champions came up short of national titles, as Atena KODAMA fell 5-2 in the 62kg final to Yuzuka INAGAKI, and Akie HANAI decked Hanako SAWA with two seconds left in the 57kg final.

Twin sisters Naruha and Yasuha MATSUYUKI won the 68kg and 76kg titles, respectively.

The tournament also decided the nation's best females in the schoolgirl, junior high school and cadet age groups.

(Akari FUJINAMI works to turn over Mako ONO in the cadet 53kg final. Photo: Takeo Yabuki, JWF)

Among the future stars, Akari FUJINAMI remains untouchable at the cadet level as the younger sister of 2017 world freestyle bronze medalist Yuhi FUJINAMI put together three technical falls and a fall to take the 53kg crown.

"I was satisfied that I was able to be the aggressor," said Fujinami, who will compete in her first high school tournament in August. "I want to continue to raise my level, and work hard to be able to challenge those at the next level."

In a battle between Asian U15 champions and Klippan cadet medalists, Moe KIYOOKA edged Yu SAKAMOTO 2-1 in a nail-biting 49kg final.

World cadet champions Nonoka OZAKI (61kg) and Honoka NAKAI (69kg) both stormed to gold medals in their respective divisions.

#wrestlebishkek

Hong Ends Bronze Age, Helps China Usher in Possible Golden Era

Friday, April 10, 2026 - 18:28 By Ken Marantz

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 10) -- By ending her own personal Bronze Age, Kexin HONG (CHN) helped China possibly usher in the beginning of a new Golden Era.

Hong was one of four Chinese to strike gold on the final day of the women’s competition at the Asian Championships, winning the 57kg title on Friday to end a rash of recent third-place finishes.

“Each bronze medal made me a little bit stronger by the competition,” Hong said. “So this time, I feel really happy, especially when yesterday I finished the semifinal and made it to the final. Finally, a final.”

The other Chinese who made the top of the podium in Bishkek’s Zhastkyk Arena were Jin ZHANG (CHN) at 53kg, LILI (CHN) at 65kg and Jia LONG (CHN) at 72kg, capping a performance in which all 10 of the country’s wrestlers took home medals.

The lone other medal at stake on Friday went to two-time former world champion Nonoka OZAKI (JPN), who had ousted a Chinese opponent in the quarterfinals the previous day before snatching the 62kg gold by avenging one of her few international losses -- which led to a nice surprise for her on the medal podium.

China pipped rival Japan for the team title when Lili and Long defeated Japanese opponents in their gold-medal matches. China, with five golds overall, finished on top with 205 points, followed by Japan with 191 and Mongolia in third with 126.

“It shows that every single member of our team has been working hard behind the scenes,” Long said. “And because we have a good coach who draws up excellent plans for us, we execute them with dedication, all for the sake of our shared dream.”

Kexin HONG (CHN) celebrates after winning the gold medal at 57kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Hong completed a spotless run to the gold with a victory by fall over former world silver medalist Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) in the 57kg final.

Hong is no stranger to ending tournaments with victories, and her resume includes medals from every major global event. Unfortunately, none of those wins had come in finals over the past three years.

According to a Chinese team official, her teammates tease Hong about having an affinity for bronze, nicknaming her "Tong Pai Da Man Guan," which loosely translates to "Bronze Medalist Grand Slam." It’s not hard to see why. In the past three years, she has taken home medals of that color at four major competitions -- the 2023 Asian Games, the 2024 Paris Olympics, the 2025 Asian Championships and the 2025 World Championships.

The closest she came to breaking the hex came in Paris, where she was leading 7-0 in her semifinal against Anastacia NICHITA (MDA) when disaster struck and she got caught and pinned.

“Nobody wants to lose, but that's part of competition,” Hong said. “I really felt sad for that moment, but it also meant there was some weakness in my wrestling.

“So, I accepted and recovered, and told myself that I can become better and better. Now I’m happy to see myself improve.”

There were no slipups in her demolition of Batkhuyag in Friday’s final. Hong opened with a takedown and lace lock for a quick 4-0 lead. After a second takedown and exposure, she got her arm between Batkhuyag’s knees, lifted up and planted the Mongolian on her back, securing the fall in 1:31.

“Before, I never thought about that I can finish so fast,” said Hong, who won all three of her matches by technical superiority or fall, without conceding a point.

“Just before the competition, I just thought to be ready for the six minutes, ready to fight to the last second and just try my best to show all my advantages.”

Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) defeated Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK) to win her third Asian gold medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 62kg, Japan’s Ozaki completed an equally flawless run to her third Asian gold and fifth medal overall by scoring two 4-point takedowns in a 10-0 victory over Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK).

“I was able to win by technical superiority, but before the match, I never thought I could have such a large gap in points like this, so I'm really happy,” said Ozaki, a Paris Olympic bronze medalist at 68kg.

The victory in 2:15 avenged a particularly frustrating loss to Mun in the final of the 2023 Asian Games. Ozaki had been leading when Mun used an arm throw to toss her onto her back, then held her in the near fall position for the final minute to win 6-6 on criteria.

“One of my main objectives coming here was to beat that DPR Korean wrestler,” Ozaki said. “There were also big hurdles to get over. As such, I want to view this result in a positive light and regard it as doing a good job.”

Ozaki’s reward for a job well done came on the medal podium, where she was surprised to see that the presenter was none other than longtime rival and local superstar Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ), the three-time world champion and two-time Olympic medalist who is currently on a hiatus.

They shared a hug after the medal was placed around a beaming Ozaki’s neck.

“Aisuluu-san is a hero,” Ozaki said. “I have so much respect for her. Of course, I respected her while she was competing. She's really a special person. To be at a competition and receive the medal this way is really an honor and I am proud of it.”

To get to Bishkek, Ozaki had to defeat reigning world and Olympic champion Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) at the All-Japan Championships in December. Now, to achieve her goal of getting to this year’s World Championships and Asian Games, she will have to beat Motoki again, either at next month’s Meiji Cup or a subsequent playoff.

Jin ZHANG (CHN) works on a takedown against MEENAKSHI (IND) during the 53kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 53kg, Zhang picked up her first gold in her second trip to the Asian Championships with a lightning-quick 10-0 victory over MEENAKSHI (IND). A single-leg takedown, a lace lock and four quick spins gave Zhang the victory in 53 seconds.

Zhang, the 2024 world silver medalist at 55kg, got over her biggest hurdle in the semifinals, when she pancaked former world champion Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) for a stunning victory by fall.

“I never think about when what kind of action I can win from,” Zhang said. “I just follow the coach’s instructions, to be tough and do your attack.”

Zhang said she will not succumb to the pressure that comes with being a newly crowned Asian champion.

“After I stepped off this podium, everything will go to zero and it's a new start,” she said. “I will never think about I'm Asian champion now. I will surely fight for the higher step of the podium.”

Going into the last two finals, Japan could have won the team title with victories in both. Instead, the Chinese swept the two, with one match coming down to a challenge decision and the other a more forthright victory.

LILI (CHN) tries to score a takedown against Nana IKEHATA (JPN) during the 65kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

At 65kg, China’s Lili had the winning takedown confirmed by challenge for a 3-2 victory after it appeared that Nana IKEHATA (JPN) had held on for the title.

Ikehata, the winner at the Zagreb Ranking Series this year and the 2024 world U20 champion, was leading 2-1 with all of the points coming on the activity clock when Lili made a low lunge for Ikehata’s leg with :30 to go.

Lili caught Ikehata’s heel and the Japanese tumbled onto her backside, but immediately got up and fought desperately to keep Lili from completing the takedown as time ran out.

But on challenge, it was decided that Ikehata’s initial drop to the mat constituted a takedown for Lili, who was awarded the 2 and the victory, giving her an Asian gold to go with her 2023 world bronze, and leaving Ikehata stunned.

Jia LONG (CHN) turns Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN) using a high gut wrench. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

In the final bout of the night, Long completed the Chinese gold rush with a 10-2 victory in the 72kg final over Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN) -- a repeat of the 65kg final in 2023.

After a stepout and activity clock gave Long a 2-0 lead at the break, she finally got Yoshitake to the mat with a single-leg takedown. From there she used her deadly high gut wrench for three consecutive rolls.

That should have ended the proceedings right there, but on the final one, Yoshitake managed to fluidly step over for a 2-point exposure that kept the action going with 1:20 left. But Yoshitake never threatened and Long came away with her second Asian gold.

Long has been gradually moving up in weight, having won the 2022 world silver and 2024 world gold at 65kg and a bronze at last year’s World Championships at 68kg.

“Perhaps there were some challenges with strength,” Long said of competing at 72kg. “But in terms of speed, it might have been a bit better than at 68kg.”

Sara NATAMI (JPN) defeated MANISHA (IND) to win the 57kg bronze medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Kiyooka, Natami bounce back

Kiyooka and Sara NATAMI (JPN), who were both handed stunning losses by fall in the semifinals, bounced back to take home bronze medals with one-sided victories.

Kiyooka, the silver medalist a year ago, completed the collection of Asian medals with a 10-0 rout of Aziza KELDIBEKOVA (KGZ) in 1:24 at 53kg. Kiyooka also has 55kg gold from 2024, the year she also won a world title at that weight.

Sakibjamal ESBOSYNOVA (UZB) took home the other bronze at 53kg, using a fireman’s carry to take Seoyoung PARK (KOR) directly to her back and secure a fall in 2:00.

Natami, whose defense of the 57kg title was ended in the semifinals by Batkhuyag, needed slightly more time than Kiyooka to finish up her 10-0 win over MANISHA (IND). The winning points were decided on a Japanese challenge when the referee undercounted the number of spins Natami accomplished with her lace lock.

Natami, who came to Bishkek as a substitute for injured Olympic champion Akari FUJINAMI (JPN), now also has the full collection of Asian medals. In addition to last year’s gold, she won a silver in 2018 and another gold in 2022.

In the other match at 57kg, Youngjin KWON (KOR) gave Korea its lone medal in Women’s Wrestling by scoring three 2-point exposures off a takedown counter in the second period to top Thi My Trang NGUYEN (VIE) 7-2.

Qi ZHANG (CHN), the lone Chinese not wrestling in a final on the night, assured she would not leave Bishkek empty-handed when she converted her second takedown of Nigina SABIROVA (UZB) into a fall in 1:31 at 62kg.

The victory gave Zhang a second straight bronze and fourth of her career in a fourth different weight class. She also has a gold at 59kg from 2024, as well as the 2023 world gold at that weight.

A first-period fall also decided the other 62kg bronze, with Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) building up a 7-0 lead over Tynys DUBEK (KAZ) before using an arm bar to end the match at 1:48.

Both the home team and India bagged bronzes in the two heavier weights.

At 65kg, Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ) gave up an early takedown to Firuza ESENBAEVA (UZB), but came back with a 4-point takedown to the back that she topped off with a fall in 2:02 to add to the Asian bronze she won at 68kg in 2024.

Two-time world U23 bronze medalist MONIKA (IND) also had a 4-point takedown in a 9-0 victory over Hanbit LEE (KOR) for the other 65kg bronze.

Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ), a world bronze medalist at 72kg, scored a first-period takedown while on the activity clock and that was enough to edge Odgerel ERDENE OCHIR (MGL) 2-0 for her first Asian bronze.

In the other 72kg bout, HARSHITA (IND) added to her 2024 silver medal with a victory by fall over Sevinchoy POLVONOVA (UZB) in 3:25 after building up a 5-0 lead.

Day 5 Results

Women’s Wrestling

53kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Jin ZHANG (CHN) df. MEENAKSHI (IND) by TS, 10-0, :53

BRONZE: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) df. Aziza KELDIBEKOVA (KGZ) by TS, 11-0, 1:24
BRONZE: Sakibjamal ESBOSYNOVA (UZB) df. Seoyoung PARK (KOR) by Fall, 2:00 (2-0)

57kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Kexin HONG (CHN) df. Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) by Fall, 1:31 (10-0)

BRONZE: Youngjin KWON (KOR) df. Thi My Trang NGUYEN (VIE), 7-2
BRONZE: Sara NATAMI (JPN) df. MANISHA (IND) by TS, 10-0, 1:50

62kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) df. Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK) by TS, 10-0, 2:15

BRONZE: Qi ZHANG (CHN) df. Nigina SABIROVA (UZB) by Fall, 1:31 (4-0)
BRONZE: Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) df. Tynys DUBEK (KAZ) by Fall, 1:48 (7-0)

65kg (9 entries)
GOLD: LILI (CHN) df. Nana IKEHATA (JPN), 3-2

BRONZE: Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ) df. Firuza ESENBAEVA (UZB) by Fall, 2:02 (4-2)
BRONZE: MONIKA (IND) df. Hanbit LEE (KOR), 9-0

72kg (8 entries)
GOLD: Jia LONG (CHN) df. Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN), 10-2

BRONZE: Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) df. Odgerel ERDENE OCHIR (MGL), 2-0
BRONZE: HARSHITA (IND) df. Sevinchoy POLVONOVA (UZB) by Fall, 3:25 (5-0)

Freestyle

57kg (11 entries)
SF 1: Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) df. Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ), 4-1
SF 2: Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) df. Fuga SASAKI (JPN) by TS, 11-0, 3:23

65kg (12 entries)
SF 1: SUJEET (IND) df. Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK), 7-2
SF 2: Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) df. Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN), 5-3

70kg (10 entries)
SF 1: ABHIMANYOU (IND) df. Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), 6-3
SF 2: Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) df. Sina KHALILI (IRI), 5-1

79kg (12 entries)
SF 1: Keyvan GHAREHDAGHI (JPN) df. Razambek JAMALOV (UZB), 4-3
SF 2: Sandeep Singh MANN (IND) df. Somonjon IKROMOV (TJK) by TS, 10-0, 3:13

97kg (13 entries)
SF 1: Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) df. VICKY (IND), 2-0
SF 2: Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) df. Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN), 15-6

Susaki Returns from Elbow Injury with Victory as Junior, but Laments Struggles

Comments

Hong Ends Bronze Age, Helps China Usher in Possible Golden Era