Motoki emerges at next potential star by filling Japan's opening at women's 59kg

Thursday, June 16, 2022 - 14:44 By Ken Marantz

TOKYO (June 16)--After the 2021 world silver medalist retired, Sara NATAMI stepped up and appeared to fill Japan's hole at women's 59kg by winning the gold at the Asian Championships in April. Just two months later, she's out, and a potential new star has emerged for the preeminent powerhouse.

Sakura MOTOKI, who had only recently returned after undergoing knee surgery just under a year ago, demolished Natami in the final of the Meiji Cup All-Japan Invitational Championships on Thursday, then returned to the mat to beat her again for a spot on Japan's team to this year's World Championships.

"Coming up to this, I had an injury, I couldn't enter the All-Japan Championships, I had tournaments canceled by the coronavirus," Motoki said. "So many things happened, but because of the support of so many people, I was able to make it this point, so I'm really happy."

The 20-year-old Motoki, a 2017 world U17 champion whose father competed in Greco-Roman at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, put on a takedown exhibition in storming to a 10-3 victory over Natami in the final on the opening day of the four-day tournament at Tokyo's Komasawa Gym.

Natami put up a stiff defense to thwart Motoki's attacks in the world team playoff, but that kept her from making any offensive overtures of her own and the aggressive Motoki won 2-1 with all of the points scored on the activity clock.

The tournament is the second of the two domestic qualifiers for this year's World Championships, along with the Emperor's Cup All-Japan Championships that were held last December. Winners of both tournaments earn an automatic ticket to Belgrade; if the champions are different, the two meet in a playoff at the end of that day's action.

JPN Sakura MOTOKI attempts a takedown in the women's 59kg world team playoff with Sara NATAMI. (Photo: Takeo Yabuki / Japan Wrestling Federation)

The wrestle-off at 59kg between Motoki and Emperor's Cup champion Natami was one of three in the eight weight classes in action on Thursday.

Motoki's Ikuei University teammate Ami ISHII will be joining her on the flight to Belgrade after winning the title and playoff at 68kg--and after first beating world silver medalist Rin MIYAJI in the semifinals. Miyaji was competing for the first time since the 2021 World Championships, where she suffered a severe knee injury in the final.

Natami had won six consecutive tournaments dating back to the Japan Women's Open in October 2019 and was fresh off her triumph at the Asian Championships in Ulaanbaatar. She won her first two matches by technical falls, but was no match for the aggressive Motoki, who prepped for the tournament by winning the U20 title at the Junior Queens Cup in April--her first tournament in 10 months.

Motoki said she felt rusty in her first two matches--a fall and a 4-0 victory--but made the necessary adjustments for the final.

"My movement in the quarterfinal and semifinal was as bad as it gets, so before the final, I talked with coach [Yoshimaro] YANAGAWA and we looked at what to fix," she said. "In the final, I was able to do what I have always worked on in practice, so that was good."

Motoki used the time away from the mat to watch videos of some of the sport's top stars. She said that among those whose techniques she studied were compatriots Akari FUJINAMI and Rei HIGUCHI, as well as former world champion and constant blur of action Haji ALIEV (AZE).

"When I couldn't wrestle, I used that time to watch many videos of wrestlers with excellent technique," said Motoki, who executed a textbook-perfect duck under against Natami. "It made me think of what was the ideal type of wrestling I want to do. When I came back, I felt I was physically better than before I was injured, and I had had better techique and was a better wrestler."

While all conversations in Japan eventually shift to which Olympic weight class a wrestler will move into, Motoki is content for now to stay in the non-Olympic weight, albeit with eyes on the 2024 Paris Olympics.

"At this point, I don't have the confidence to compete in an Olympic weight class," Motoki said. "To win the title here, then win the title at the World Championships, will give me confidence, and then I'll decide if I want to go up or down."

Motoki, who started wrestling at age 3 in Saitama Prefecture, north of Tokyo, and attended powerful Saitama Sakae High School, said her parents encouraged her during the depressing times of her injury, and that her father Yasutoshi, who placed ninth at Greco 63kg at Sydney 2000, is always offering wise advice.

"He said to not make excuses for not doing things," Motoki said. "Like 'Today, I'm wrestling poorly, so I'll stop practicing.' He would always tell me, don't look for a reason to avoid doing something."

Japan got a silver medal at 59kg at the 2021 World Championships from Akie HANAI, who has since retired.

JPN 2 Ami ISHII celebrates her victory in the world team playoff at women's 68kg. (Photo: Takeo Yabuki / Japan Wrestling Federation)

At 68kg, Ishii, the 2020 Klippan Lady Open champion at 65kg, scored a first-period takedown in the final and held on for a 2-1 victory over Emperor's Cup champion Naruha MATSUYUKI. The playoff was a virtual repeat, with Ishii again winning 2-1 with a first-period takedown.

Ikuei University, which was only founded in 2018, could place a third member on the team to Belgrade if Tsugumi SAKURAI, the world 55kg champion, can win the title at 57kg on Friday.

Earlier Thursday, Miyaji fell victim to her own sloppiness and lost 9-6 to Ishii in the semifinals. She came back to win the bronze-medal match by fall over Kumi KOBAYASHI.

"I won the third-place match, but I practiced with the goal of winning the championship, so it's disappointing to finish third," said Miyaji, a junior at Nippon Sports Science University where she is coached by Olympic legend Kaori ICHO.

Miyaji had caught the world's attention at last year's World Championships in Nur-Sultan when she posted a stunning victory by fall over Tokyo Olympic champion Tamyra STOCK MENSAH (USA). But in the final against Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), she had her knee violently twisted outward--some wonder why the match wasn't stopped with Miyaji's knee in an obviously dangerous position--and lost by fall.

"I feel like there is a gap between the results I have achieved and my actual ability," Miyaji said. "At the World Championships, I defeated the Olympic champion and finished second, but to lose here, it's like I've lost everything I gained at the World Championships.

"The way it is now, with this result I can't say out loud that I'm going to the Olympics. I'm going to have to train like mad for the next five months," she said, referring to this December's Emperor's Cup, which will start the qualifying process for Paris 2024.

Miyaji, who returned to the mat in April and started live sparring in practice the following month, said she still has some lingering pain, but did not want to use that as an excuse for her performance.

"There is still some pain. But I don't think there are many wrestlers who are 100 percent at a tournament. Everyone has injuries here or there. I want to be able to win even with an injury."

In the other women's weight class in action, Yuka KAGAMI, a former world U17 and U20 champion who won a silver medal in April at the Asian Championships, will get her first shot at a senior world title after defeating Yasuha MATSUYUKI 4-0 in the final.

Kagami, who won her second Emperor's Cup title in December, avoided a playoff for the world team spot when she scored a takedown and gut wrench in the first period, then held off Matsuyuki--Naruha's twin sister--the rest of the way for the victory.

Yudai TAKAHASHI earned his second trip to the World Championships at freestyle 79kg. (Photo: Takeo Yabuki / Japan Wrestling Federation)

Takahashi gains final shot at 79kg

In freestyle, NSSU's Yudai TAKAHASHI will make the World Championships his final tournament at 79kg after defeating Yajuro YAMASAKI 3-1 in the final to complete the Emperor's Cup-Meiji Cup double.

Takahashi scored the decisive takedown with 1:20 left in the second period to defeat Yamasaki, who had moved down from 86kg--the Olympic weight class that Takahashi said he will move up to upon returning from Belgrade.

"I went into this deciding it would be my last [national] tournament at this weight class," said Takahashi, who won a bronze medal at the Asian Championships. "I'm glad I could end on a good note."

Takahashi has long been Japan's top hope for success in the middleweights after making his first World Championships team as a high schooler in 2019. He lost his opening match, but the Asian medal has boosted his confidence.

"I finished third at the Asian Championships, but I lost a match that I could have won, so it's a tournament with some regrets," Takahashi said. "At the World Championships, I'll use what works best for me as much as possible to get a medal."

With Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO still on hiatus, defending champion and Asian bronze medalist Kaiki YAMAGUCHI filled the void at 65kg, earning a ticket to Belgrade with a 4-3 victory in the final over Ryoma ANRAKU.

Trailing in the second period, Yamaguchi scored a shrug-by takedown just seconds after receiving a second activity point and held on to complete the Emperor's Cup-Meiji Cup double.

It will be Yamaguchi's third trip to the World Championships, where he previously placed 17th in 2019 and 11th in 2021.

In Greco, Asian bronze medalist Takahiro TSURUDA lost 3-3 in the 97kg final to Yuri NAKAZATO, but rebounded to beat him 3-1 in the world team playoff. Tsuruda, last year's Meiji Cup champion at 87kg, scored a 2-point throw from par terre for the decisive points.

Nakazato knocked off five-time defending champion Yuta NARA in the semifinals, building up an 8-1 lead before securing a late fall.

Arata SONODA remained the nation's dominant heavyweight, winning his eighth straight title at 130kg with an 8-0 technical fall in 2:11 over Marin NISHIMURA. That earned Sonoda his seventh trip to the World Championships--where he is still looking for his first victory on the top global stage.

At 63kg, Ryuto IKEDA defeated Chiezo MARUYAMA 5-1 in the final to secure a place on the world team, as Emperor's Cup champion Kensuke SHIMIZU has moved up a weight class.

Day 1 Results

Freestyle

65kg (8 entries)
Final - Kaiki YAMAGUCHI df. Ryoma ANRAKU, 4-3

3rd Place - Kotaro KIYOOKA df. Shinnosuke SUWAMA by TF, 17-6, 3:50

79kg (12 entries)
Final - Yudai TAKAHASHI df. Yajuro YAMASAKI, 3-1
3rd Place - Takahiro MURAYAMA df. Takato UCHIDA, 8-7

Greco-Roman

63kg (12 entries)
Final - Ryuto IKEDA df. Chiezo MARUYAMA, 5-1

3rd Place - Ryota KOSHIBA df. Yuki YOSHINAGA, 10-5

97kg (10 entries)
Final - Yuri NAKAZATO df. Takahiro TSURUDA, 3-3
3rd Place - Yuta NARA df. Masayuki AMANO by TF, 8-0, 4:17

World team playoff - Takahiro TSURUDA df. Yuri NAKAZATO, 3-1

130kg (7 entries)
Final - Arata SONODA df. Marin NISHIMURA by TF, 8-0, 2:11
3rd Place - Shion OBATA df. Yuma MIYAUCHI by TF, 8-0, :38

Women's Wrestling

59kg (10 entries)
Final - Sakura MOTOKI df. Sara NATAMI, 10-3
3rd Place - Himeka TOKUHARA df. Yumeka TANABE, 3-1

World team playoff - Sakura MOTOKI df. Sara NATAMI, 2-1

68kg (4 entries)
Final - Ami ISHII df. Naruha MATSUYUKI, 2-1
3rd Place - Rin MIYAJI df. Kumi KOBAYASHI by Fall, 2:21 (12-1)

World team playoff - Ami ISHII df. Naruha MATSUYUKI, 2-1

76kg (4 entries)
Final - Yuka KAGAMI df. Yasuha MATSUYUKI, 4-0
3rd Place - Nodoka YAMAMOTO df. Mizuki NAGASHIMA, 2-0

#WrestleZagreb

World Championships 2025 Women's Wrestling Preview

Wednesday, September 10, 2025 - 12:13 By Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 10) -- Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) is the only Paris Olympic champion entered in Women's Wrestling for the World Championships in Zagreb.

While four of the six champions in Paris had world titles to their names, only Motoki and now retired Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) did not. Motoki wants to change that.

"As the alarm on my smartphone to wake up in the morning, I use the music they play during the winning lap at the World Championships," Motoki had said after winning against Ozaki. "Each time I hear it, it gives me an unpleasant feeling and makes me remember what happened. Even after I won at the Olympics, that sinking feeling never really went away."

Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) is the only Olympic champion entered for Zagreb. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Motoki has been to the World Championships twice before but came up short both times, winning bronze in 2022 at 59kg and silver in 2023 at 62kg.

She will be leading a strong Japanese team that has five senior world champions and four with multiple age-group titles to their names. Japan won six out of 10 gold medals in Women's Wrestling in 2023 and captured three out of four at the Non-Olympic Weights World Championships in 2024.

While Motoki enters as the favorite at 62kg, expectations are high across the lineup. The roster of returning world champions includes Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) at 50kg, Haruna OKUNO (JPN) at 53kg, Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) at 65kg, Ami ISHII (JPN) at 68kg, and Masako FURIUCHI (JPN) at 72kg.

Others completing the line up are Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) at 55kg, Himeka TAKUHARA (JPN) at 57kg, Sakura ONISHI (JPN) at 59kg and Nodoka YAMAMOTO (JPN) at 76kg.

But at the World Championships, Japan will be tested. Ukraine, the United States, and China are bringing tough names to Zagreb and the return of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will also shake up the results.

Storylines that will keep the fans engaged will be: Helen MAROULIS (USA) aiming for fourth world title at 57kg, Irina RINGACI (MDA) vs Grace BULLEN (NOR) at 68kg, Kennedy BLADES (USA) in a deep 68kg weight class and Sakura ONISHI's (JPN) big test at 59kg.

Iryna BONDAR (UKR) is the European champion at 62kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Challenge for Motoki

For Motoki, the road to gold in Zagreb may go through Iryna BONDAR (UKR), one of the rising stars in international wrestling. Bondar has already made her mark at the age-group level, winning both U20 and U23 world titles, and currently holds European Championships titles at both the senior and U23 levels.

After claiming the senior European title in April, Bondar made it clear that she's aiming for the top.

"Senior level is a whole different level of wrestling -- senior wrestling is tough and intense," she said. "Are there tougher opponents? Yes, absolutely. The toughest competitors are from Japan -- they are the strongest in the world."

Still adjusting to the pace of senior-level competition, Bondar tends to start slow in matches but has an effective arsenal of attacks once she settles in. But whether she’s ready for someone as polished and tactical as Motoki remains to be seen.

Also entered at 62kg are Asian champion MANISHA (IND), silver medalist Ok Ju KIM (PRK), and former world champion Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL), but Motoki remains the clear favorite to top the podium.

Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN), a 2021 world champion, is unbeaten internationally. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

At 50kg, Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) will aim to win her second world title, four years after claiming her first in 2021. She has not competed at the World Championships since, with Yui SUSAKI (JPN) occupying the spot during that time. However, Susaki did not enter the qualification process this year.

Yoshimoto has proven herself at the Asian level and remains unbeaten internationally since a loss to Chun Lei (CHN) at the Tokyo Test Event in 2019. Her main challenge could come from European champion Oksana LIVACH (UKR), who won a world bronze in 2018 but hasn’t returned to the podium since. Zagreb presents an opportunity and she will be keen on finishing with a medal.

The Japanese defeated Yu ZHANG (CHN) and Myonggyong WON (PRK) en route to her 2025 Asian title, and they are not expected to trouble her in Zagreb. European silver medalist Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) and U20 world silver medalist Audrey JIMENEZ (USA) will aim to finish on the podium as well.

Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) won the Pan-Am gold in May. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Osvaldo Aguilar)

Unpredictability of 53kg

Chasing her fourth world title at 53kg is Haruna MURAYAMA (JPN), who made the Japan team after defeating another world champion, Moe KIYOOKA (JPN). Murayama won her first world gold in 2017 and added a second in 2018. But she had to wait five years to win her third in 2023, largely due to Mayu SHIDOCHI (JPN) dominating the weight before the Tokyo Olympics and Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) holding the spot until Paris.

Now, Murayama has a shot at another title. The weight class, however, is deep with talent. Olympic silver medalist Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) returns for the first time since the Paris Games and could become Ecuador’s first world champion. Her explosive style has troubled even the best, including Fujinami.

Asian champion Hyo Gyong CHOE (PRK), who beat Kiyooka in the Asian final, will be a strong medal threat with her powerful gut-wrench. Jin ZHANG (CHN), a former world U20 champion, will look to build on her silver from last year at 55kg.

Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) skipped this season but is returning to the World Championships with an aim to win her first medal. The former European champion can trouble the best with her strong leg-attacks and will be a medal favorite in Zagreb.

Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE), perhaps motivated by her historic European win, is going for her fourth world medal. Also in the mix will be world bronze medalist ANTIM (IND) who finished with a bronze in Asia.

Battles at 68kg

Another packed weight class is 68kg, featuring Olympic silver medalists Kennedy BLADES (USA) and Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), world champions Jia LONG (CHN), Buse TOSUN (TUR), and Ami ISHII (JPN), along with several other top contenders.

Blades, who won silver in Paris at 76kg, has looked unbeatable at 68kg this year, claiming Ranking Series golds in Zagreb and Budapest, as well as a Pan-Am title. However, the World Championships in Zagreb will be a tougher test.

Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) won the silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

68kg Olympic silver medalist Zhumanazarova returns with the goal of winning her second world title. Though she has competed infrequently, she is always a serious gold-medal threat. She was training in Türkiye with fellow world champion Tosun, who won bronze in Paris. The big-throwing Tosun is chasing her second world title as well.

Jia LONG, last year’s world champion at 65kg, is moving up to 68kg as she targets an Olympic weight for 2028. Known for one of the most dangerous gut wrenches in wrestling, she will look to use it to mount a serious title run.

Ami ISHII (JPN) did not medal in 2023 but won gold at 72kg in 2024. While she has made significant improvements, her defensive game remains a concern, as she tends to give up points. Still, Ishii is a strong contender for gold.

Other notable names include world silver medalist Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL), Asian silver medalist Sol Gum PAK (PRK), European silver medalist Kateryna ZELENYKH (ROU), and Khanum VELIEVA (UWW).

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Golden chances for Maroulis, Bakergenova

Helen MAROULIS (USA) was unsure about returning to wrestling after winning her third Olympic medal -- a bronze in Paris. But she made her comeback in Budapest, where she captured gold. Now, she has a chance to win her fourth world title in Zagreb.

Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) had previously halted Maroulis at both the World Championships and Olympics, but with the Japanese star not entered in Zagreb, Maroulis has her best opportunity to top the podium again. The American remains the most experienced wrestler in the 57kg field, and her form in Budapest showed she’s still capable of a title run.

Her top challenger will be Olympic bronze medalist Kexin HONG (CHN), who was leading her semifinal in Paris against Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) before getting caught and pinned. Hong’s powerful gut-wrench remains a major weapon.

Il Sim SON (PRK), the Asian silver medalist, is another threat but may struggle due to inexperience. Himeka TOKUHARA (JPN) is also capable of upsetting top names. Other medal hopefuls include European champion Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW), Tokyo silver medalist Iryna KURACHKINA (UWW), and U20 world champions Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) and TAPSYA (IND).

At 72kg, Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) could make history by becoming Kazakhstan’s first-ever world champion. A three-time silver medalist, she lost to Amit ELOR (USA) twice and to Ami ISHII (JPN) last year, but neither of them is in her path this time. Still, the weight class has strong contenders.

Former world champion Masako FURUICHI (JPN) is looking to reclaim the top spot and stands a good chance. European champion Alla BELINSKA (UKR) is chasing her first world medal, as is world and European U23 champion Nesrin BAS (TUR). Former world U20 champion Jyoti BERWAL (IND) also has an outside chance at a podium finish.

Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) is looking to rediscover her magic on the mat. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Can Khomenets rebound?

At one point in her career, Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) was seen as the next big star in Ukrainian wrestling. She captured age-group world and European titles and won silver at the 2023 World Championships at 55kg. However, injuries derailed her progress, and she’s now working to return to peak form.

She finished seventh at last year’s World Championships, but a bronze at the European Championships earlier this year has helped her regain confidence. A medal in Zagreb could further boost her motivation.

The 55kg field is deep. European champion Ekaterina VERBINA (UWW) has emerged as a top contender, having defeated Tatiana DEBIEN (FRA) in the final. Debien will look to avenge that close 6-5 loss.

Asian 53kg champion Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) is another strong challenger. Her versatile attacks and solid defense, showcased in her win over Moe KIYOOKA (JPN), make her a serious threat.

Japan will be represented by former world U20 champion Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN), who suffered an injury in Samokov in August. Her fitness and ability to handle the weight cut from 57kg will be challenging.

Onishi in the senior league

Soon after winning her second U20 world title in August, Sakura ONISHI (JPN) said it was only the first of two she hopes to win this year -- the second being a senior world title. A month later, she heads to Zagreb aiming to complete the double.

Onishi’s deadly leg lace helped her dominate in Samokov, and across two U20 World Championships, she hasn’t conceded a single point. But senior-level competition is a different test.

She narrowly won the Asian title in April, edging Pyol HUNG (PRK) 6-4. Hung, also entered in Zagreb, will be aiming for revenge. Still, with that win and time to reflect, Onishi enters as the favorite.

Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA), world 55kg champion in 2019, is now at 59kg hoping to add another world medal. She will be tested at the heavier weight class.

Ringaci vs Bullen: Part 3

Grace BULLEN (NOR) may have won both her matches against Irina RINGACI (MDA) at 65kg this year, but neither victory came easily. In their latest bout, Ringaci was leading 14-6 and was one turn away from victory when Bullen blocked a gut-wrench attempt and secured a dramatic fall. Earlier, at the European Championships, Bullen narrowly held on for an 11-8 win in the final.

Their rivalry could see a third chapter in Zagreb, and Ringaci will be eager to finally get the win. While Bullen holds the edge, a World title victory would be far more meaningful. Both wrestlers match each other in style -- strong defense, explosive throws, and a tendency to get tangled in high-scoring exchanges.

Outside this duo, the field includes former world champions Qi ZHANG (CHN) and Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN), Olympic silver medalist Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR), and world bronze medalist Macey KILTY (USA). Zhang has struggled since moving up from 59kg, while Morikawa, a bronze medalist last year, will need to raise her level. Koliadenko is also adjusting after moving up from 62kg. Kilty, a two-time world bronze medalist, remains a strong podium contender.

Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) is looking for her first world title. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

At 76kg, Asian champion Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) enters as the favorite, though recent losses -- including in the Tirana Ranking Series and Paris bronze match -- expose her troubles on the mat against quality opponents.

Among the contenders will be Milaimy MARIN (CUB) who defeated Medet Kyzy in the bronze medal bout in Paris, former Asian champion Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ), European champion Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) and world U23 champion Kylie WELKER (USA).

Fifth-placer at the Olympics Genesis REASCO (ECU) and world U20 champion PRIYA (IND) will also aim for medals.

Motoki emerges at next potential star by filling Japan's opening at women's 59kg

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World Championships 2025 Women's Wrestling Preview