#Tokyo2020

Wrestling Completes Homologation Test for Tokyo 2020

By

Wrestling completed a successful homologation test for the 2020 Olympic Games last week in Tokyo, with all sides confident in how the competition's scoring, results, and time management systems will function in August.

The homologation tested several new technologies brought forward since the last Olympic Games in Rio, including the two day competition format, new draw system, and new referee selection process. The teams also went through several scenarios to test a variety of scoring, timing and results situations. The several day technical exercise brought together Tokyo 2020 Sport & Technology team, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Olympic Results and Information Services (ORIS) team, and providers of the Olympic Games Atos and Omega.

For the testing procedure, United World Wrestling sent Jean-Daniel Rey, Director of Sport and Sébastien Guenat, Director of IT to help coordinate and oversee the test.

#BeachWrestling

Sakurai swaps mat for sand, wins Beach Wrestling gold

By Vinay Siwach

TOKYO (May 13) -- Paris Olympic champion Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) made a return to competition for the first time since August last year. However, it was not on the mat.

Sakurai, who won gold medal at 57kg in Paris, returned to compete in beach wrestling. She wrestled at the Japan Beach Wrestling National Team Qualifying Tournament held in Tachikawa, Tokyo on Sunday and won gold at 60kg

"It may sound strange for me to say it, but I felt that I was suited to it," Sakurai was quoted by Japan Olympic Committee.

Sakurai, who is not entered for the June 19-22 Meiji Cup, Japan's qualifying tournament for the World Championships in September, is now qualified to compete for Japan in Beach Wrestling this year.

"Since I am qualified for the international tournament, I will try to participate," she said. "I want to be number one. I'll practice on the sandy beaches of Kochi [Prefecture]."

The three-time world champion, however, did not rule out the possibility of returning to the mat soon.

"I am still practicing on the mat and when I feel like I am ready, I will be back on the mat," she said.