48kg class Funa Tonaki “I was able to fight patiently”
I was able to fight patiently. I think I was able to fight tenaciously throughout the day by assembling in my own favor in response to the techniques that the opponent had applied. (-The final is a long match. Was it tight?) I thought it was a long tournament from the first round, and I originally felt like fighting until the GS extra time, so I didn’t feel it was tough. (-Future enhancement points) I went forcibly at the end. You have to be able to properly identify where you don’t have to go. I couldn’t stand it in the final of the Tokyo Olympics, and at the end, my kumite and technique became messy. Today, based on that match, I put up with it and thought about giving the kumite an advantage. (-When will you return to practice?) Full-scale practice will resume from the beginning of the year. I was only training, so my physical strength didn’t drop that much. (-Did you feel stronger about the Paris Olympics?) No. I was adjusting to win each and every match without sticking to the Paris Olympics. I will continue to think about winning the game in front of me regardless of whether it is a big tournament or a small tournament. (-Did you do it with Tsunoda?) No one is fighting. I was thinking of fighting the winning players. (-Looking back on the battle with Koga) I had practiced once and felt a little weak, but I didn’t think about it. I fought with the intention of making arrangements for the first time. (-The semi-finals and finals were close-quarter-oriented. Did you make use of your strengths?) Japanese players are good at fighting at intervals, so I’m thinking of competing in close-quarters. There are many good players in all 48kg classes. I think it’s a class that strengthens me.
