Despite Back-to-Back Wrestling World Team Triumph With 7 Olympics Qualifications, USA Overshadowed by Japan

As the Olympic Games Paris 2024 draw near, the anticipation among fans is up to the mark. However, to enter the 2024 Olympics, athletes need to nail the 2023 World Wrestling Championships happening in Belgrade, the Serbian capital. This championship carries significant weight in shaping the field of contenders.

Already spanning from September 16 to 24, these championships offer a pivotal glimpse into who will compete for medals on the grand stage in the heart of France. Among the highlights, a whopping 90 Olympic Games Paris 2024 quotas are up for grabs. But, in the middle of all the events, one country is overtaking all – Japan. The land of the rising sun continues to dominate the wrestling world, securing back-to-back qualifications impressively.

How are Japan’s Leading Olympic Wrestling Quotas?

With the conclusion of the women’s freestyle competition at the 2023 Senior World Championships in Belgrade, Japan has taken the lead among all nations in Olympic wrestling quota berths with an impressive tally of eight. Japan’s stellar performance in women’s freestyle wrestling was nothing short of remarkable. The athletes have secured qualifications across all six weight classes. Moreover, earned an additional two quota spots from the fiercely competitive men’s freestyle competition.

According to the USA Wrestling News, the top 5 athletes in each weight class at the Senior Worlds in Belgrade have earned their nations the privilege of competing in the Paris Games. Notably, individual athletes don’t secure qualifications; instead, each nation retains the authority to select the athlete to represent them at the Olympics for each quota berth obtained.

Following closely behind Japan is the United States, with a commendable seven quota berths. This impressive tally includes three women’s freestyle berths added to the four men’s freestyle berths secured earlier in the week. To date, 60 quota spots have been determined, with 30 each allocated to men’s freestyle and women’s freestyle categories. The final 30 quota berths will be contested in Greco-Roman wrestling, with the event culminating on Sunday. Along with this, one Japanese athlete in the 53kgs category continues to win hearts across the world.

Japanese Fujinami clinched the world title

Japan’s Akari Fujinami achieved a momentous victory in the women’s 53-kilogram division, marking her second world title in 2 years. A student of Nippon Sport Science University, after winning another title 2021 world title, she now adds the second world title to her list. In a thrilling final bout, Fujinami faced off against Vanesa Kaladzinskaya of Belarus, who competed as an individual neutral athlete. Fujinami’s win extended her remarkable winning streak to an astonishing 127 matches.

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Additionally, the women’s 62 kg division witnessed Japan’s Sakura Motoki from Ikuei University reaching the final. She faced Kyrgyz wrestler Aisuluu Tynybekova, the silver medalist from the 2021 Tokyo Summer Olympics. Motoki, securing second place, earned her ticket to the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics with this remarkable achievement.

In essence, the 2023 World Wrestling Championships hold dual significance as a qualifying event for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. The exceptional performances of Fujinami & Motoki highlight Japan’s prowess in women’s wrestling and set the stage for the highly anticipated Olympic showdown.

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