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▼ Takahashi Ends Long Drought in Freestyle Wrestling
- Category:Event
PARIS — When the referee raised his hand in victory in the gold-medal match, Yuki Takahashi recalled why he has continued in wrestling since he started at age 10.
“To have my hand raised after winning gives me an incredible sense of accomplishment,” said Takahashi, who ended Japan’s 36-year gold medal drought in men’s freestyle at the world wrestling championships by winning the 57-kilogram title on Friday in Paris.
Takahashi swept to a solid 6-0 victory over Thomas Gilman in the final to give Japan its first gold in men’s freestyle since Toshio Asakura won at 52 kilograms in 1981. It was the first on a global level since Tatsuhiro Yonemi- tsu’s victory at 66 kilograms at the 2012 London Olympics.
It was Japan’s sixth gold of the tournament, including the one captured earlier by Kenichiro Fumita in the 59-kilogram Greco-Roman, which ended a similarly long drought in that style. The other four were won by the powerful women’s team.
“Fumita’s success really fired me up,” Takahashi said. “When I learned that the last gold we won was before I was born, I thought winning one would really be special.”
The 23-year-old Takahashi’s triumph can be credited mainly to his awesome power. He put the pressure on Gilman when they locked up, and when his opponent pushed back, he would then rely on his sharp footwork to set up an effective tackle. On defense, Takahashi had no holes and fended off all of Gilman’s attacks.
“If he fought at his current level of ability, victory was in the cards,” Japan freestyle coach Kenji Inoue said.
Takahashi’s big test came in the quarterfinals against Mongolia’s Bekhbayar Erdenebat, who had beaten him at the 2015 world championships. Takahashi gave up a late point that tied the match at 4-4, but he gained the victory due to having scored with bigger-point moves.
“I’m most happiest by that victory,” said Takahashi, who won easily in his four other matches.
The Mie Prefecture native went to Inabe Sogo Gakuen High School and established himself by becoming a three-time champion at the National High School Games.
But he had a flaw in trying to step up to the next level — he would get so nervous before big matches. He was seen as mentally weak, and he failed to make Japan’s team to last year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
On being able to finally live up to true talent in his third shot at a world title, Takahashi said, “I made the same mistake so many times, but I snapped out of it.”
In the realignment of weight classes for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the 57-kilogram class remained unchanged. “Fortune has come my way,” Takahashi said.
“To have my hand raised after winning gives me an incredible sense of accomplishment,” said Takahashi, who ended Japan’s 36-year gold medal drought in men’s freestyle at the world wrestling championships by winning the 57-kilogram title on Friday in Paris.
Takahashi swept to a solid 6-0 victory over Thomas Gilman in the final to give Japan its first gold in men’s freestyle since Toshio Asakura won at 52 kilograms in 1981. It was the first on a global level since Tatsuhiro Yonemi- tsu’s victory at 66 kilograms at the 2012 London Olympics.
It was Japan’s sixth gold of the tournament, including the one captured earlier by Kenichiro Fumita in the 59-kilogram Greco-Roman, which ended a similarly long drought in that style. The other four were won by the powerful women’s team.
“Fumita’s success really fired me up,” Takahashi said. “When I learned that the last gold we won was before I was born, I thought winning one would really be special.”
The 23-year-old Takahashi’s triumph can be credited mainly to his awesome power. He put the pressure on Gilman when they locked up, and when his opponent pushed back, he would then rely on his sharp footwork to set up an effective tackle. On defense, Takahashi had no holes and fended off all of Gilman’s attacks.
“If he fought at his current level of ability, victory was in the cards,” Japan freestyle coach Kenji Inoue said.
Takahashi’s big test came in the quarterfinals against Mongolia’s Bekhbayar Erdenebat, who had beaten him at the 2015 world championships. Takahashi gave up a late point that tied the match at 4-4, but he gained the victory due to having scored with bigger-point moves.
“I’m most happiest by that victory,” said Takahashi, who won easily in his four other matches.
The Mie Prefecture native went to Inabe Sogo Gakuen High School and established himself by becoming a three-time champion at the National High School Games.
But he had a flaw in trying to step up to the next level — he would get so nervous before big matches. He was seen as mentally weak, and he failed to make Japan’s team to last year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
On being able to finally live up to true talent in his third shot at a world title, Takahashi said, “I made the same mistake so many times, but I snapped out of it.”
In the realignment of weight classes for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the 57-kilogram class remained unchanged. “Fortune has come my way,” Takahashi said.
- August 26, 2017
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