Mattsson: "Think there will be something extra"

Japan is the major dominant of all time in women's wrestling. In the World Cup context, the nation has taken home 86 gold - second best is China with 26 gold. At the four Olympics where women's wrestling has been on the program, Japan has taken 11 of 18 possible golds.

When the Olympic Games are held in Tokyo next year, the sport will receive more attention than usual and this attracts Swedish star Sofia Mattsson.

- The Olympics in themselves are always cool and Japan is one of the sports mecca, at least on the women's side. I think it will be something extra. The arenas will probably be sold out and there will be a great focus on the wrestling in Tokyo, Mattsson tells TT.

At the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Games, Mattsson and Jenny Fransson each took bronze - Sweden's first wrestling medals on the women's side. Both now want to make their fourth straight game.

- I dream about that. And I would have liked to win against a Japanese - in Tokyo. So think about it! I know that they have set goals to win gold in each weight class. It would have been a little extra nice to hit them there, ”says Fransson, laughing.

Within the wrestling, it is common for different nations to gather for training camps, but the Japanese are secretive and mostly stay away.

- We must not go there so much, we are not invited, says Fransson.

However, she was in Japan at a rare camp last season. The foreign wrestlers were not allowed to film the training, but the organizers had their own cameras throughout the training hall.

- She who was the best in my weight class did not attend the camp, but it was really good sparring anyway, says Jenny Fransson.

The Japanese also do not participate in international competitions but only appear at the Olympic Games, the World Cup and the Asian Championship.

- So there is video on their matches, but it's not that you get to meet them often or feel them on the carpet.

However, the Swedish wrestlers get that chance in the upcoming World Cup in Astana in Kazakhstan. The championship is also the first and best chance to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics next summer.

Six places are at stake in six weight classes - which means that a medal match (the wrestling has two bronze matches and a gold final) is required to sign out an Olympic ticket already.

- That is the goal of this World Cup. There are very many people who are fighting for the places. I know it will be decided on the margins. It would have been super fun if you managed to qualify already at the World Cup, says Sofia Mattsson, who competes in the 53-kilos class.

The 68-pound wrestler Jenny Fransson:

- In my weight we are maybe ten who can win and I count as one of them.