Beyond the “Queen” to the Tokyo Olympics Riko Kawai Wrestling September 19, 15:28

“Isn't there any player in this country who has become such a representative?”
August before the World Championship. I was surely confident in that word.
Kyoko Kawai, who won the World Olympics for Wrestling, the women's 57-kilometer class on the 19th final, and confirmed the Tokyo Olympics representative appointment. The strength was gained through the “growth of the heart” that overcame the battle with the absolute queen of the 4th consecutive Olympic championship, Satoshi Icho.

Continue to attack with a “strong heart”

World Championship on the 18th, semi-final.
The opponent's Nigerian player was a strong enemy who had won all three games in technical fall, with strong tackle and sleeping skills that made use of long limbs and high physical ability.

In the first half, Kawai will hurt with the “skinny” type that Japanese players do not have. We attacked one after another, but the one-leg tackle that we were good at was not decided, leading to 0: 1 in the first half.
Still, Kawai was observing his opponent calmly.
“Long legs and high waist. Both legs are tackled.”
As expected, Kawai decided to tackle both legs in the remaining 2 minutes and reversed.
After that, he won the attack 6-6 without losing his attack.

Without rushing, do not break your own wrestling that continues to attack until the end.
As a matter of course, Kawai has advanced to the finals and has secured the representative of the Tokyo Olympics. “Strong heart” was seen more than ever.

Fighting unprecedented pressure

In order to become the representative of this World Championship, Kawai has fought a lot of pressure in the country. It is Icho who won the "Absolute Queen" Olympics for the fourth time in a row.

The All Japan Championship last December, when two people played against each other. Kawai felt unprecedented pressure.

In the face of Ito, “I was afraid to play the game,” the intense attack was hidden. I couldn't even tackle Ito who boasted an iron wall defense.

In the end, just before the end of the match, he lost the turn with the tackle of Icho.
"Let's quit wrestling"
I thought so.

To the mat again in support

Nearly a month after the defeat, it was the family that raised Kawai who was unable to show up in practice again.
The mother, Mr. Hatsue, said, “There are people who will support Ryoko. Don't forget it.” I hoped that Ichoi's voice for the fifth consecutive victory of the Olympics made her feel that she was losing sight of her and once again wanted to remember the people who supported him.

I was encouraged by my younger sister, Yukako, who is aiming for the Olympics in the 62 kilometer class. While Kawai was depressed, Yukako dreamed of participating in the Olympics as a sister and worked hard to practice.
The existence of a supporter and the dream of a sister. After reconsidering the reason for wrestling, Kawai returned to Matt again.

The courage to attack again

The all-Japan selection championship in June.
Even before Icho, there was no “weak heart” six months ago.

Kawai jumps one after another and tackles.
Attacking the counter-playing Icho player has the risk of losing points, so if you can hesitate even for a moment, you can't enter the tackle. Still, Kawai chose to stick to his own wrestling that he dares to attack.

In the second half, the tackle finally succeeded, winning the player.
I hugged my sister Yukako who was on the second and shared the victory.

Kawai then grabbed the representatives of the world championships in July through the national team finals.

“I was able to grow once or twice because of Mr. Tsuji,” Kawai said.
By overcoming the battle with Icho, who was called “Absolute Queen”, he gained “strength of heart”.

A testament to "Absolute Queen"

In this tournament, Kawai who decided the Olympic national team appointment while mother's Hatsue and younger sister Yukako cheered in the audience seat. “I still have tomorrow, please keep tomorrow.” I did not loosen the expression to the reporters who spoke the words of blessing.

It seems to have come out because it fully understands the difficulty of standing at the top of the world like Ito.
The final is the night of 19th. It is a game that will test whether Kawai, who has won three consecutive world championships, can make the first step toward a new “absolute queen”.