Takuto Otoguro Retires

[wrestlingfan22]

announced today on his IG

[Boring]

  On 4/4/2025 at 3:34 PM, wrestlingfan22 said:

announced today on his IG

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He wisely ignored my challenge and took the honorable way out. 

JK, congrats on a great career Takuto. 

Edited April 4 by Boring

[MPhillips]

26 yrs old...

[Truzzcat]

I think the japanese training regimen is outstanding for results but comes at a cost of guys bodies. I truly cannot think of any Japanese wrestlers that competed into their late 20's early 30's at a high level Takatani would be the closest thing to that.

[Interviewed_at_Weehawken]

  On 4/4/2025 at 5:39 PM, Truzzcat said:

I think the japanese training regimen is outstanding for results but comes at a cost of guys bodies. I truly cannot think of any Japanese wrestlers that competed into their late 20's early 30's at a high level Takatani would be the closest thing to that.

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Yes, from what came out this summer, their frequency and intensity make the dreaded Iowa grind seem tame.

[Wrasslin]

  On 4/4/2025 at 5:25 PM, MPhillips said:

26 yrs old...

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That's what I was thinking . . . must be nice to retire at 26! lol!

[Wrasslin]

  On 4/4/2025 at 5:39 PM, Truzzcat said:

I think the japanese training regimen is outstanding for results but comes at a cost of guys bodies. I truly cannot think of any Japanese wrestlers that competed into their late 20's early 30's at a high level Takatani would be the closest thing to that.

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It's funny, when I hear someone talk about Takatani I'm like, "that dude's been around forever!" 

The only Japanese wrestler I can think of is Yuji Takada won an Olympic bronze medal in 1984 at the age of 30. I don't think he wrestled after that.

[CA_Wrestler]

  On 4/4/2025 at 5:46 PM, Wrasslin said:

That's what I was thinking . . . must be nice to retire at 26! lol!

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He joined the military several years ago.  I'm just guessing that that military club team(PTS) will hire him if he wants to coach.

[CHROMEBIRD]

  On 4/4/2025 at 5:39 PM, Truzzcat said:

I think the japanese training regimen is outstanding for results but comes at a cost of guys bodies. I truly cannot think of any Japanese wrestlers that competed into their late 20's early 30's at a high level Takatani would be the closest thing to that.

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I figured it was just due to normal rotation and attrition. On the women's side, Icho and Yoshida held their spots for a long time but now returning medalists move on because they're stacked with younger talent.

[Mr. PeanutButter]

  On 4/4/2025 at 5:39 PM, Truzzcat said:

I think the japanese training regimen is outstanding for results but comes at a cost of guys bodies. I truly cannot think of any Japanese wrestlers that competed into their late 20's early 30's at a high level Takatani would be the closest thing to that.

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Rei Higuchi was 28 when he won gold this summer. That's not old-old but it does seem to be on the older side for lightweights and perhaps Japanese wrestlers in general

[D3 for LU]

Well... he had a nice run while it lasted.

Best of luck in his future endeavors.

(Could coaching possibly be in his cards?)

D3

[pokemonster]

  On 4/4/2025 at 5:46 PM, Wrasslin said:

That's what I was thinking . . . must be nice to retire at 26! lol!

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No kidding! And Americans like Bo Bassett are going to be 26 going into their second collegiate wrestling season. Quite the stark difference.

[pokemonster]

  On 4/4/2025 at 7:41 PM, Mr. PeanutButter said:

Rei Higuchi was 28 when he won gold this summer. That's not old-old but it does seem to be on the older side for lightweights and perhaps Japanese wrestlers in general

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Is it a cultural thing whereas they're taken care of and can be fat and happy in Japan? Perhaps their development means they're replaced earlier by the young guns? Or are these guys just worn out? I wonder. 

[bnwtwg]

One of my favorite matches ever was the shootout for world gold between Otoguro and Bajrang. Not even the Bajrang Boys could stop the offensive onslaught that day.