In a thrilling climax to the World Championships in Zagreb, Japan’s Sakura Motoki secured her first world gold medal in the women’s wrestling 62kg category, closely mirroring her Olympic triumph in Paris. Motoki achieved a dramatic last-second victory against North Korea’s Ok Ju Kim, finishing the match with a score of 5-4.
Motoki’s journey to the championship spotlight was filled with adversity and resilience. She recalls the exhilarating yet nerve-wracking moments that led to her win in both competitions. “Just like at the Olympics, I went from a point where I thought I would lose, then the outcome suddenly changed and I was able to win,” she remarked, expressing her immense relief and joy.
Japan showcased an impressive performance overall, winning three of the four golds contested on the final day. Haruna Murayama claimed her fourth world title at 53kg by defeating Ecuador’s Lucia Yepes 5-0, while Ami Ishii added a second world championship to her accolades, winning at 68kg against Bulgaria’s Yuliana Yaneva, 4-2. The only other gold of the night went to Ukraine’s Alla Belinska, who triumphed over Turkey’s Nesrin Bas.
Japan’s strong showing resulted in them securing the top position in the team standings, finishing with five gold medals out of ten, and amassing 162 points. DPR Korea followed with 115 points, while China edged ahead of the United States for third place with 87 to 83 points.
Motoki’s path to glory has been paved with hurdles. After a stunning semifinal performance in Paris, where she pulled off a remarkable comeback, she had to overcome a tough domestic competition to secure her Olympic qualification. Notably, she had faced formidable opponents, including world champion Nonoka Ozaki and Tokyo Olympic champion Yukako Kawai.
In the final match against Kim, Motoki initially took a 3-0 lead, but after a series of exchanges, she found herself trailing 4-3 with only 35 seconds left. In a frantic effort to regain control, she launched a final attack that resulted in a pivotal throw, managing to flip Kim just before the time expired. Challenging the referee’s initial call, it was determined that Kim’s shoulders had crossed the critical angle, securing Motoki the win with just 0.3 seconds remaining.
Motoki attributed her resolve to previous losses at the World Championships. The recollection of past disappointments drove her to toil hard and push through till the final whistle. “Three years ago and two years ago, I lost on this stage, and the feeling of disappointment did not go away,” she stated, acknowledging that her past failures contributed to her current success.
Looking to the future, Motoki is set to compete in the World U23 Championships in October. A victory there would place her in the elite “Golden Grand Slam” club, an exclusive group of athletes who have achieved success at the senior and all three age-group levels, in addition to the Olympics.
Meanwhile, Haruna Murayama’s victory in the 53kg category solidified her rise within the division, especially as she aims for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Her return to form has been remarkable after a challenging period following her Olympic aspirations.
Ami Ishii’s strong performance at 68kg, coupled with her mission to bolster her position ahead of another Olympic qualification cycle, signifies Japan’s depth in wrestling talent. Ishii’s win comes after narrowly missing the Olympic spot at 68kg previously.
Overall, the championships showcased a mix of emerging talents and seasoned athletes, with Japan’s dominance reiterating its status as a wrestling powerhouse on the world stage. The event concluded with thrilling matches that left spectators on the edge of their seats, as athletes continued to push boundaries in the pursuit of glory.
