rin sakamoto wins emperors cup at 57kg

[Truzzcat]

Sakamoto is enrolled at Okie state and just won what I believe to be japans version of nationals someone correct me if I'm wrong please. He is currently red shirting but the DT effect seems to just keep spreading.

[Takuto_Otoguro]

It is the first stage of their  two stage trials process I believe.

After that is the Meiji cup in the middle of the year. 

If you win both you are on the team. If there are different winners then the winners of the two tournaments have a wrestle off. 

Not sure what/any advantage returning medalists get outside of olympic years where you are automatically on the team if you medal. Higuchi , Ono, Kiyooka, Aoyagi and Takatani were their 5 five freestyle medalists in the olympics and worlds this year and only Aoyago competed here. He was able to win 70kg. 

 

Edited yesterday at 03:23 PM by Takuto_Otoguro

[okokzach]

Pretty cool seeing the Japan flag on the Cowboy Wrestling singlet 

[okokzach]

More CWC representation in Japan

[D3 for LU]

Well...

... I certainly hope that the OSU cafeteria will include Yakisoba into the menu when he comes to Stillwater.

(Nothing like home cookin', I say...   )

D3

[okokzach]

Stillwater actually has a solid shabu-shabu restaurant 

[CA_Wrestler]

He did win 1/2 of the National Qualifying tournament, but let's get a reality check.  None of the better wrestlers competed like Higuchi, Ono, or even the lower tiered guys etc..

The last time he competed at an Olympic weight in 2023 Meiji Cup, he finished 16th.

I definitely think working with DT can tighten his technique up, but executing it against Ono is a different story

 

His sister does go to college in the US, but I have no clue why.  Doesn't even make sense because the university she used to go to in Japan is light years better than where she is now at Northern Michigan.  The problem for her is that she can't beat any of the top tier 50 or 53kg women in Japan.  The last time she entered a fully loaded Emperor's Cup(2022 Japan Olympic qualifier), she lost in the 1st round to the 9th ranked wrestler by tech.

 

[BarSeries]

Rocking that Cowboy Cliff Keen!

 He explained that at OSU, "we have to wear a headgear all of the time, even in practice. So it's not to get me used to wearing one, but because I'm already used to it."

Edited 3 hours ago by BarSeries