#WrestleIstanbul

Turkiye hosts More Than Medals camp following U17 World Championships

Monday, September 11, 2023 - 19:33 By United World Wrestling Press

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ISTANBUL, Turkiye (September 11) --- The More than Medals World 2023 was held in Istanbul, Turkiye from August 7th to 12th, 2023. Organized by the United World Wrestling Development Department and the Turkish Wrestling Federation, the program aimed to enhance the skills of young wrestlers from developing countries. To achieve this, the program provided the participants with top coaches and experts from around the world, who shared their knowledge and experience with them.

The program was a great success, with nearly 60 participants from 17 countries across Asia, America, Europe, and Africa attending. The participants included both athletes and coaches who stayed after the U17 World Championships with the goal of improving their skills and knowledge. During the program, they had the opportunity to attend training sessions where they learned new techniques and strategies. Additionally, an anti-doping workshop was held for the participants. This program demonstrates the power of sports to unite people and foster friendship and understanding among nations.

The participants were accommodated in the Pullman Istanbul Hotel & Convention Center, located in Yenibosna Merkez Mahallesi, Bahcelievler, Istanbul, Turkiye. All training sessions and activities were also held in this hotel. The UWW development team, led by Yuri MAIER (ARG) and Vincent AKA (FRA/CIV), was responsible for the project. Their extensive experience in organizing these types of events over the years made the process very smooth.

TURVincent AKA leads a training session at the 2023 More Than Medals camp in Istanbul. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Vincent AKA was in charge of the organization of the training sessions. The coaches from the different nations present were invited to conduct their own training sessions, providing athletes with a diverse range of training styles and techniques to learn from. This not only allowed for a more comprehensive learning experience but also fostered a sense of unity and cross-cultural exchange among the participants. The training sessions were a great opportunity for these young athletes to expand their knowledge and skills and to form lasting connections with individuals from different parts of the world.

During the Istanbul city tour, athletes enjoyed a ferry ride that showcased the beautiful surroundings and explored the Asian side of Istanbul, the Golden Horn, and iconic landmarks like the Grand Bazaar and Sultanahmet. They also visited the impressive Hagia Sophia, which taught them about its rich history and cultural significance. Overall, the city tour provided a unique insight into Istanbul's culture and past.

The success of this program was partly due to the good relationship and affinity with the local federation. The Turkish Wrestling Federation was very collaborative and provided everything needed to have a great event. All the participants were satisfied with the development of the activities.

Year after year, More Than Medals continues to prove that it is an excellent resource for young wrestlers from developing countries. The program not only provides them with top coaching and training opportunities, but it also promotes cross-cultural exchange and understanding among nations. The success of the More than Medals World 2023 program is a testament to the power of sports to bring people together and promote friendship and understanding across borders.

#JapanWrestling

Two-time Olympic champ Risako Kinjo brings curtain down on stellar career

Sunday, October 12, 2025 - 23:14 By Ken Marantz

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TOKYO, Japan (October 12) -- Risako KINJO (JPN), who won two Olympic gold medals under her maiden name of Kawai before capturing a fourth world title last year after giving birth, officially announced her retirement over the weekend.

"I felt that I had experienced everything that was good about being a wrestler," the 31-year-old Kinjo told the Japanese media Sunday on bringing down the curtain on one of wrestling's most sterling careers. "I felt fulfilled and happy with a life in which wrestling was my passion."

Kinjo also revealed that she is pregnant with her second child as she spoke to the media at the Japan Women's Open in Akitsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, where she was coaching younger sister Yukako TSUNEMURA (JPN), who was returning to the mat for the first time since becoming a mother herself.

Kinjo first announced her retirement on her Instagram account on Saturday night, stating that in the 24 years since she started wrestling at age 7, "I have had good experiences and bad, highs and lows. But to win four world championships and two consecutive Olympics was all due to the support and encouragement of many people. I thank them all."

Kinjo first struck Olympic gold at 63kg at Rio in 2016, then won out in a duel that captivated the wrestling world with fellow Rio and four-time Olympic champion Kaori ICHO (JPN) for the 57kg spot at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where she took home a second gold.

Of the clash of the titans with Icho, Kawai remarked, "I had no more difficult period than that. I'm glad I was able to experience it."

In the Tokyo semifinals, Kinjo had to face yet another Rio gold medalist in Helen MAROULIS (USA), who had moved up from 53kg. Kinjo came away with a 2-1 win, then defeated Iryna KURACHKINA (UWW) 5-0 for the gold.

With Yukako also winning the 62kg gold, it elevated the Kawai sisters to celebrity status in the host country. The two got their start in the sport at the kids' club run by their mother. Both of their parents were national-level wrestlers.

Soon after Tokyo, Risako married former wrestler Kiryu KINJO, and in May 2022, gave birth to a baby girl. Instead of settling down to a domestic life, motherhood lit a fresh flame to continue the sport.

"I had originally planned to win the Tokyo Olympics and then retire gracefully," Kinjo said. "I even told people around me that I would quit after the Tokyo Olympics. But when I got married and got pregnant, I felt that my body wasn't only my own, and I wanted to continue wrestling.

"While I was pregnant, I watched Yukako's matches and thought to myself, 'If it were me, I would do it like this,' so after my child was born, I decided to try it again."

Her bid to win a third straight Olympic gold in Paris, however, was derailed by the reigning world 57kg champion Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN), who went on to triumph in the French capital.

Rebuffing speculation that the loss would mark her swan song, she showed her passion for the sport by sticking around. With the incentive of wanting to have her daughter see her compete and make some history, she had no qualms about moving into the non-Olympic weight of 59kg.

She suffered a setback of sorts at the Asian Championships in April 2024, when she lost to Qi ZHANG (CHN) in the semifinals and had to settle for a bronze medal.

But she righted the ship at the Non-Olympic Weight World Championships in October that year in Tirana, Albania, where she cruised into the 59kg final and defeated Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) 4-2.

"No one from Japan had ever achieved becoming a 'world No. 1 as a mama', and it would be ideal if I could do it," Kinjo recalled thinking. "When I accomplished it at the World Championships last October, as soon as it was over I thought there is nothing else that I want."

That victory added to the three consecutive senior world golds that she won from 2017 to 2019. She also has a silver from 2015, and her laurels include a world cadet (U17) gold and two world junior (U20) titles, and she was a four-time Asian champion.

Kinjo was a star at Shigakkan University during its golden era as the elite powerhouse of women's wrestling in Japan, also producing such greats as Icho, Saori YOSHIDA (JPN), Eri TOSAKA (JPN), Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN) and Sara DOSHO (JPN).

Looking ahead, she says her focus will be on raising her new baby while staying involved in the sport.

"Right now I am eight months pregnant, and first and foremost I will put my full efforts into proper childcare. And at the same time, I will be Yukako's coach and always maintain a link to wrestling," she said.

At the Japan Women's Open, a second-tier event that offers qualifying spots at the All-Japan Championships, Yukako showed she still has some rust to be knocked off. Entered at 59kg, she won her first two matches before falling to high schooler Miuna KIMURA (JPN) 4-1 in the semifinals.

The tournament also saw the return of Sakurai for her first competition since winning the gold in Paris. She needed three wins to take the 57kg title, defeating collegian Himeka HASEGAWA (JPN) 5-0 in the final.