It is September 21 16:13 that is required to revive "the strongest girl" feeling of crisis that Saho Yoshida had

“I have to think twice and strengthen it”
This is the word of Saori Yoshida, a wrestling girl who retired in January. World wrestling championship held in Kazakhstan. There was only one gold medal for Japanese girls. What is required for the resurgence of Japanese girls who are said to be “the strongest in the world” during the less than a year before the Tokyo Olympics?
(Sports News Department reporter Junpei Shimizu)

Relieved “weakness of heart”

What Mr. Yoshida felt on the grand stage where the world's powerful players gathered was the mental weakness of the players during the match.
“I don't think there was any stickiness, such as being easily done or giving up quickly,” he pointed out.

This World Championship, which also serves as a representative for the Tokyo Olympics.
Many Japanese girls have a lot of movement, and there are many games that lead to a lot of leads because they are unable to attack themselves or lose points when they slip.

Yukako Kawai, a 62-kilometer-class female, tackled with an inadequate posture and lost a fall because she was unable to score as expected in the third round. Mr. Kawai recalled, “We were defeated by the weak feeling of wanting to score and feel safe. I was not prepared.”

1 minimum gold since Athens

In this tournament, the result of Japanese girls is the 10th class and only one gold medal.
After 2004, when wrestling girls became official events at the Athens Olympics, they were the smallest ever.

Strength beyond research

At the tournament, I was impressed that the overseas players had been fully prepared to deal with the strong Japanese players. Players with a strong attack, such as Yuki Irie and Sara Satoshi, were not able to bring them into an advantageous position.

Mr. Yoshida pointed out, "I have been studying and have been thinking about going further. To go up, I have to be absolutely confident in myself." We want to strengthen mental aspects.

Riko Kawai who showed a strong back

Under such circumstances, Riko Kawai, who won only one gold medal at the tournament and won the tournament for the third time in a row, showed the spiritual strength.

Kawai didn't give him the chance to go through all the matches. As a Japanese girl's captain, I was thinking of the gold medal that I had to take for the team and the Tokyo Olympics.

(Photo: Yukako Kawai who won the 3rd place decision)
Kawai's strength inspired his younger sister Yukako.
“I saw my sister fighting and I was prepared,” he won the gold medal and won the 3rd place match, which led to a bronze medal.

Captain's “strong mind” had a big impact on other players.

Toward the “strongest Japan” revival

A Japanese girl who has been brilliantly drawn by two “absolute queens”, Saori Yoshida and Aoi Ito. Mr. Yoshida retired in January, and it is virtually impossible for Icho to participate in the Tokyo Olympics.

In order for new-born Japan to reach the top of the world at the Olympics, it is necessary to regain the “defensive mind” that has supported the strength of Japan.

Mr. Yoshida said, “The hardest part of the mind is hard to train. You can only train harder and practice this way.”

Ten months until the Tokyo Olympics, it is necessary to return to the “strongest Japan” revival.