CA_Wrestler

Japan changed their OT selection to the current format for the Tokyo Olympics in 2019. As far as the Kawai sisters go: Yukako Kawai(62kg Olympic Champ) lost to Ozaki*first time meeting) last May in the 62kg finals. Ozaki was winning 3-1 with very short time and Kawai had Ozaki in a head pinch. Kawai tried turning her shoulders past 90, but couldn't get it. If there were a few more seconds left, I think she would have got it and won on criteria because Ozaki's shoulders were . Risako Kawai lost to Sae Nanjo(2023 59kg rep) when she had turned her right before the buzzer in their playoff match a few months ago. As far as Ozaki goes compared to Motoki at 62kg. Ozaki is much, much better in neutral. Motoki wrestled amazing that night last Dec and beat Yukako Kawai 9-2 and Ozaki 4-2 the same night to take the 62kg spot. As far as 68kg goes, my projected wrestlers are: Ozaki, Morikawa(Hard to believe she bumped up 2 weights and took 3rd at 72kg), Ishii, Yukako Kawai(maybe), Masako Furuichi(maybe, could be retired), one of the Matsuyuka twins and maybe 1-2 more junior wrestlers. It'll be really interesting to see who else enters at 68kg in December for the Emperor's Cup and then next May for the Meiji Cup.

Close! If you medal at an Olympic weight the year prior to the Olympics, then the Olympic spot is yours. With Ishii losing, it just opened up a floodgate to 68kg in Japan. Ozaki is probably going to be staring down Ishii on the plane ride home lol

I figured why she started crying right away. She was 1 second away from winning the match against Motoki, but didn't have full control of the TD in their WTT. What happened in her match against Motoki is why I knew Kilty was going to get hammered in the 65kg finals. I bet Ozaki going 68kg and she'll be going against her good buddy, Morikawa, Ishii, Kawai and many more.

Final WFS Team standings: Japan 195 USA 135 Mongolia 80

With Bruntil AND Ishii losing in their bronze matches, they're gonna have a wrestle off for the last Olympic quota at 68kg. This means that Ishii doesn't have Japan's spot and I have a very, very good feeling that Ozaki will bump up to 68kg to try and take that spot for Paris.

Next up for their WFS team, the Asian Games in China (already started the other week) where we'll see many of the same competitors from other countries that competed at the World Championships. Olympic weights only. Japan's world team reps were given the choice in competing or letting somebody else go. Wrestling is from Oct 4th-7th starting with Greco and ending with MFS. Team: 50kg- Remina Yoshimoto(Japan #2) 53kg- Akari Fujinami(Japan #1) 57kg- Tsugumi Sakurai(Japan #1) 62kg- Nonoka Ozaki(Japan #2) 68kg- Naruha Matsuyuki(Japan #5) 76kg- Kazuyoshi Yamamoto(Japan #3)

As reported on the UWW site, Susaki competed with a torn knee ligament, wasn't really able to train properly and didn't go to national team camp prior for leaving to Belgrade.

After Kagami won, almost all of their Olympic team is complete. Japan's rule is that if you medal at this World Championships at an Olympic weight, the Olympic spot is yours. So: 50kg- Susaki(2023 World Champion) 53kg- Fujinami(In the finals tomorrow night) 57kg- Sakurai(2023 World Champion) 62kg- Motoki(In the finals tomorrow night) 68kg-Ishii if she wins bronze tomorrow night 76kg- Kagami(2023 World Champion)

Pretty much hit the nail on the head.

I'm sure people might have noticed with Japan's WFS team, but their entire team are comprised of their #1s and #2s from the Olympic weights. All of the non-Olympic weight team members lost to the Olympic weight members in their version of the WTT. In almost every case, the wins were razor thin with short time/almost at the buzzer. The only exceptions to that were 50kg and 53kg.

Also 3x Cadet, 2x Junior and 1x U23 World Champion

Susaki domination

Considering how Sadulaev looked like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, you never know...

Aline also commentated last year

isn't that Aline Focken?

Erik just talked about Otoguro's injury lol..the timing!

Marin looks gassed

She's really long and athletic

Same as last year, meaning same strategy.

Otoguro update from hours earlier, couldn't post.... I remember him getting off the mat earlier this year in the Japanese trials slowly, looked like his leg. Same injury happened again in the match he got pinned yesterday. He said that he was going to have to forfeit because he couldn't stand. That's when he didn't know they called a touch fall.

Exactly the same as last year.

She was gassed

When I always talk about Japan's womens team and their depth, this is a great example. She was the 2021 55kg senior world champ, bumped up to 57 and and won last year.

Time for Douglas vs Sidakov!

The thing that's interesting is that.....earlier this year Team Serbia was training in Japan with the Otoguros and Yuki Takahashi at their alma mater.