By winning his first senior Asian title, collegian Kaisei TANABE (JPN) did something his father and coach was unable to accomplish. Now his aim to better dad’s result at the Olympics.
Tanabe stormed to a one-sided victory in the 65kg final as Japan had two champions crowned on the first day of the freestyle competition at the Asian Championships on Saturday in Amman, Jordan.
Tanabe completed his golden run with a 12-2 victory over Tsogbadrakh TSEVEENSUREN (MGL) to outdo his father Chikara, who was a bronze medalist at the 2004 Athens Olympics but never medaled in two trips to the Asian Championships.
“My older sister is now a coach in China, and my father and mother are watching from home,” the 22-year-old Tanabe said UWW. “They give me advice before every match, and I incorporate that. This is a title won by my whole family.”
Japan also got a gold from rising star Arash YOSHIDA (JPN), who added the 97kg title to the one he claimed at 92kg in 2023, while three countries split the three other golds at stake.
Asian Games silver medalist Chongsong HAN (PRK) won at 57kg, Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) took the 70kg title with his third come-from-behind victory in four matches, and teenager Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) put on a performance well behind his years to capture the 79kg gold.
Tanabe, who lost in the first round last year at 61kg, showed the great strides he has made since then by sweeping through a tough field, culminating with a decisive victory over Tseveensuren, a world bronze medalist last year at 61kg.
“From the first match, I faced strong opponents, but I thought to myself, I face even stronger rivals back home in Japan,” Tanabe said. “So I just did what I had to do in each and every match.”
It was Tseveensuren who struck first, using a barrel roll for a 2-point takedown. But Tanabe shook off his early nerves and got down to business, scoring a 4-point takedown by getting behind Tseveensuren in the standing position and using a throw to bring him backward to the mat.
In the second period, Tanabe showed he has power to go with his speed when he shut down a headlock roll attempt for a 2-point exposure, also gaining a 2-point penalty when the Mongolian fled over the edge while his back is to the mat. A counter takedown and gut wrench then ended the match with 26 seconds to spare.
“In the final, I was nervous and gave up points first,” Tanabe said. “But then the match went my way and I was able to dictate the flow.”
In December, Tanabe earned his ticket to Amman by winning the national title in the absence of Paris Olympic champion and former Nippon Sports Science University teammate Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN), who has yet to return to competition. (Tanabe also finished second in Greco-Roman at 67kg.)
With an Asian championship providing a boost of confidence, he now aims to remain the top dog in a weight class in which Japan has had the two most recent Olympic gold medalists.
“Japan is really strong in the 65kg weight class,” Tanabe said. “I want to hone the weapons that only I possess and take on all of the top rivals.”
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