Risako Kinjo, Japan's Female Wrestlers Shine at World Championships

Posted : 31 October 2024

For Risako Kinjo, securing her fourth world title at the Non-Olympic Weight Categories World Championships was a defining achievement. Competing in Tirana, she won the 59kg category, marking her first world victory since becoming a mother. Kinjo, who previously triumphed at the Tokyo Olympics under her maiden name Kawai, had taken time away from wrestling to focus on her family and missed qualifying for the Paris Games.

However, her return to the mat brought renewed motivation, and this recent win held profound significance for her. Reflecting on the experience, she expressed deep happiness, noting that the victory held a special place in her heart.

Japan's success continued as two other female wrestlers, Moe Kiyooka and Ami Ishii, also claimed gold medals. Kiyooka made history by becoming the sixth wrestler to win world titles at all four age levels after her 55kg victory. Her journey to the senior championship has been one of progression, having already won cadet, U20, and U23 titles.

Kiyooka has faced personal motivation challenges, especially after watching her brother and Ikuei University teammates win medals at the Paris Olympics. Her performance in the final, where she secured a 10-0 technical victory over Jin Zhang, showcased her relentless drive and exceptional skill.

Kinjo’s journey to the world championship required overcoming multiple obstacles, both in training and competition. Despite juggling motherhood and training, Kinjo managed to balance her responsibilities with rigorous practice, aided by her family’s support. In the championship final, Kinjo demonstrated a calculated approach, patiently countering her opponent Tserenchimed Sukhee’s attempts.

This strategic play ultimately led to a 4-2 victory, solidifying Kinjo’s position among Japan’s most accomplished wrestlers. Her resilience on the mat was mirrored by her tactical precision, showing the effectiveness of her training regimen and time management.

Adding to Japan’s victories, Ami Ishii triumphed in the 72kg category, overcoming Kazakhstan’s Zhamila Bakbergenova in a dramatic 8-6 comeback. Ishii, who previously lost out on the Paris Olympics, demonstrated tenacity in this final match, securing points in the closing minute to clinch her first senior world title.

She faced challenging moments when Bakbergenova gained the lead, but Ishii’s persistence and skill allowed her to score a decisive takedown and exposure in the last minute, proving her capabilities as a rising star in wrestling.

Meanwhile, China’s Jia Long emerged victorious in the 65kg final by pinning Kateryna Zelenykh, an impressive win given their close matchups in past competitions. Long's 2022 comeback against Zelenykh, when she won by fall in the last seconds, underscored her consistency and strength. This time, she quickly took control of the match with a double-leg takedown to win by fall within 1:19. Together, these wrestlers’ performances in Tirana reflect the growing depth and competitiveness of women’s wrestling on the global stage.

Risako Kinjo, Japan's Female Wrestlers Shine at World Championships

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics