The All Japan Championships for women's freestyle wrestling culminated on October 22 at Yoyogi National Gymnasium No. 2, Tokyo, showcasing some of Japan's brightest talents, particularly the highlight of the event, Moe Kiyoaka.
At just 21 years old, Kiyoaka emerged victorious in the women's 53 kg category, following her brother Kiyotaro's footsteps, who is focused on winning gold at the upcoming Paris Olympics. Moe delivered stellar performances, including significant victories by technical superiority, demonstrating her readiness to compete on the international stage.
During the Championships, Kiyoaka beat her first opponent 10-0 and proceeded to defeat her semifinal challenger by 3-0, showcasing her unyielding skill and determination. The final match against Saki Yuminami also concluded decisively, with Moe prevailing 9-0. Reflecting on her performance, she expressed satisfaction, saying, "I was able to concentrate from the first match. I felt my condition peaked at the finals," reported by THE ANSWER.
Initially, Kiyoaka had aspirations to qualify for the Paris Olympics. Last June, she faced disappointment after losing 10-0 to Akari Fujinami at the All Japan Selection Finals. Despite this setback, she has remained motivated, working alongside her senior training partner Tsubasa Sakurai, who has also witnessed firsthand the achievements of her peers winning gold medals. Moe candidly spoke about her feelings, saying, "I believe I can achieve my goals after seeing my seniors win gold medals. It was really inspiring for me."
Kiyoaka's transition from the 55 kg to the 53 kg class reflects her strategic career move, as she noted, "It’s only 2 kg difference, but the speed and size variation is noticeable." This adjustment has allowed her to sharpen her signature high-speed tackles, enhancing her overall performance. She remarked, "I’ve become lighter, allowing my best qualities to shine through more readily. I feel confident about competing well at this weight."
Looking forward, Kiyoaka, like many wrestlers aiming for the Los Angeles Olympics, recognizes the growing pool of talent. The recent Championships saw younger competitors from universities claiming 13 titles across 30 weight classes, indicating promising prospects for the future of Japanese wrestling.
Despite these challenges, Kiyoaka remains undeterred, stating, "My weight class is best for me regardless of other competitors' plans," reinforcing her focused mindset as she trains for potential victory.
With Kiyoaka’s success at the All Japan Championships, the spotlight is increasingly on the prospects of both her and Kiyotaro at the Olympic level, where hopes of sibling gold hang tantalizingly high. Kiyoaka’s determination serves not just as personal motivation but as inspiration for the next generation of Japanese wrestlers as they prepare for the Los Angeles Olympic Games. "Achieving victory here was my goal, and I absolutely want to make it to Los Angeles," she concluded, casting her gaze toward the twin glories of familial and national pride.
