60kg class Genki Koga “A different way of fighting than a year ago. Four fights have been strengthened.”
I thought that if I didn’t win here, I wouldn’t be able to lead to the next tournament, and I would be able to get closer to the Olympics for the first time by going to the world championships and winning a gold medal, so I thought I had to win the championship at all costs. There was no (-pressure). I was able to take the plunge and fight with the feeling that I had nothing to lose. (-Looking back on the match) In the first round and the semi-finals, the match is as you wish. It was exactly what I was thinking. The first match against Takato in the final. There are some parts that I had expected in advance, but after all there is no chance to fight flexibly. However, I thought that if I did it reluctantly, I would definitely have a chance, so I prepared for a long-term battle and concentrated on fighting to the end without being distracted. (-Growth over the past year) Four fights. A year ago, I could only do judo with my back against four fighting opponents, and I could only fight against overseas players and it was difficult for the Japanese to win. At Asahi Kasei, I have been practicing for a year with the advice of Mr. Ohno, Mr. Nagase, and my seniors. I also went to Tenri University and Tsukuba University to teach me how to fight and what I lacked, and I had them practice properly. I think that led to the change. (-Four measures against fights. Did you aim for deashi harai, which became the decisive move in the final?) I wasn’t particularly thinking of throwing with this move. However, I am good at footwork. At first, I was aiming for the inner thigh, but it was such a scene that this forward feint led to the final deashi harai. (-Have you practiced with Takato before?) I practiced once before the Olympics. The kumite was so good that I couldn’t make my own shape at all. (-2 consecutive victories. Dad has 6 consecutive victories.) Weight loss and practice were hard, and it was difficult to win 2 consecutive victories. I think the sixth straight victory is amazing again. (-What are the points to be strengthened in the future) This time, I think that I have improved by fighting in a different way from the last time, the way I have been doing thoroughly for a year, but there are still four fights. There is not enough strength to beat overseas players. I would like to make it from scratch.
66kg class Hifumi Abe “The self-confidence of winning the gold medal boosted the judo that came forward.”
