Asian Games

Rio Champ Dosho to Miss Asian Games Due to Shoulder Injury

By Ken Marantz

World and Olympic champion Sara DOSHO (JPN) will miss the Asian Games in Jakarta this summer due to a left shoulder injury suffered at the recent Women's World Cup, the Japan Wrestling Federation has announced on its website.

Dosho's reign as a world champion is also in doubt, as she will almost surely to be forced to skip the Japan Invitational Championships (Meiji Cup) in June, which is serving as the final domestic qualifying tournament for Japan's team to the world championships in Budapest in October.

Sara DOSHO (JPN) df. Aline FOCKEN (GER) by 3-0 to win the gold medal at the 2017 World Championship. Photo by Martin Gabor.

Dosho suffered the injury, which has necessitated surgery, during her 68kg match against Danielle LAPPAGE (CAN) on the opening day of the World Cup in Takasaki, Japan. Dosho took a 2-1 lead early, then held on to win by that score as Japan beat Canada 8-2.

The four-time world medalist skipped the gold-medal match the following day against China, which Japan won 6-4 for its fourth straight title. As team captain, she joined the celebrations on the mat.

Dosho, a product of powerhouse Shigakkan University who won a seventh consecutive national title last December, captured gold medals at 69kg at the 2016 Rio Olympics and 2017 Paris world championships.

Dosho has not lost since the 2015 world championships in Las Vegas, where she fell in the third round 11-7 to FENG Zhou (CHN). She came back to win the bronze medal.

Ironically, Dosho and Feng were in line for a rematch in the final at the Women's World Cup, but Dosho's injury scuttled the clash.


Sara DOSHO (JPN) df. Martina KUENZ (AUT), 6-0 to seal her spot in the 2017 world finals. Photo by Martin Gabor. 

Dosho's place at the Asian Games will be taken in a three-way wrestle-off between Ayana GEMPEI, Miwa MORIKAWA, and Naruha MATSUYUKI on April 22 at the Ajinomoto National Training Center in Tokyo.

Gempei and Morikawa finished 1-2 at 65kg at the national championships, while Matsuyuki was the 72kg champion. All three were members of the Japan team in Takasaki.

At the Asian Games, wrestling will be held Aug. 19-22, with six weight classes in each style.

As entries must be finalized by the end of May, the Japan federation cannot use the results of the Meiji Cup to determine its team. As such, in principle, the winners of the respective weight classes at the national championships will fill the team spots, according to the website.

marketing

UWW and RUDIS: Historic partnership to unite and elevate wrestling worldwide

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (January 15) -- United World Wrestling (UWW) and RUDIS (rudis.com), a premier U.S.-based wrestling apparel brand renowned for its high-quality gear and deep connections to the wrestling community, have announced a groundbreaking eight-year partnership, set to begin in 2025. The collaboration marks a pivotal moment for the global wrestling community, uniting two forces with a shared vision of celebrating the sport’s rich legacy while shaping its future.

The partnership exemplifies the mutual commitment of UWW, the global governing body of wrestling, and RUDIS to honor the sport and serve its athletes, fans, and communities worldwide.

Central to their collaboration is the concept of “Unified Strength,” symbolizing their united effort to elevate wrestling to new heights on a global scale.

United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC hailed this historic partnership as a significant step forward for the sport.

“UWW has taken unimaginable steps to promote wrestling since 2014, and this is another one of those,” Lalovic said. “Uniting with RUDIS aligns with our mission to promote and develop wrestling worldwide.”

usaKyle SNYDER's (USA) signature Rudis during the World Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Founded in Ohio in 2013, RUDIS has rapidly grown into the leading brand in wrestling apparel, renowned for its innovation, athlete-focused designs, and dedication to the wrestling community.

“This partnership is a profound honor and fills us with deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve the sport that has given so much to us all,” said Jesse Leng, co-founder and CEO of RUDIS. “With humility, deep love, and appreciation for everyone connected to and through wrestling, we embrace this duty to support the sport worldwide, uplift its athletes, and contribute to the enduring legacy of this incredible community.”

UWW has always focused on its wrestlers and the partnership with RUDIS will empower wrestlers across the globe. This partnership is a testament to their shared commitment to ensuring the sport’s enduring legacy.

RUDIS Partner and Global Wrestling Advocate Nancy Schultz emphasized the broader significance of the collaboration.

“Wrestling connects us to something far greater than ourselves,” said Schultz. “This partnership allows us to continue uplifting the sport and honoring its global impact and legacy.”

Gordon Templeman, Director of Commercial Operations and Communications, shed more light on the partnership and its goal.

“Through this partnership, we aim to inspire and engage the global wrestling community, elevating the sport to new heights.”

usaKyle SNYDER (USA) has wrestled un the Rudis umbrella for nearly his entire career, collecting nine combined world and Olympic medals. (Photo: United World Wrestling) 

Olympic gold medalist Kyle SNYDER reflected on the significance of this partnership for the future of wrestling. He praised the partnership as a reflection of the wrestling community’s humility and dedication.

“Wrestling is the greatest sport in the world," Snyder said. "This is a great day for wrestling. I believe RUDIS and UWW will tremendously grow the sport.”

Paris 2024 champion Hildebrandt shared her enthusiasm for the collaboration and the impact it will have on women's wrestling.

“I’m so excited for this partnership and how it will elevate wrestling, aid tremendously in the growth of women’s wrestling, and truly open new doors within the sport,” she said.

For media inquiries, contact: Gordon Templeman (gordon.templeman@uww.org), Director, Commercial Operations & Communications or Eric Olanowski (eric.olanowski@uww.org), Head of Communications)