Zagreb, Croatia, 2025-09-20
Paris 2024 Olympic wrestling champion Motoki Sakura has added another major title to her impressive resume, winning her first world title at the 2025 World Wrestling Championships in Zagreb, Croatia. The 23-year-old Japanese star secured the gold in the 62kg division, overcoming North Korea’s Kim Ok-ju in a dramatic 5-4 victory in the final match. The win marks a significant milestone for Sakura, who had previously earned bronze and silver medals at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships, respectively. Her success contributes to a dominant performance by the Japanese team, which has secured multiple gold medals at the event.
A Thrilling Final Match
The gold medal bout was a tense and thrilling affair, with the final outcome decided in the last seconds. Motoki found herself trailing 4-3 with just seconds left on the clock. In a dramatic final push, she executed a last-ditch maneuver that was initially ruled to have scored no points. However, a challenge by her corner proved successful, with the referee awarding her two crucial points for the throw. The last-gasp score sealed the 5-4 victory with just 0.3 seconds remaining, giving her the gold medal.
“Just like at the Olympics, I went from a point where I thought I would lose, then the outcome suddenly changed and I was able to win,” Sakura said after the match. “It’s the same feeling of happiness and relief, and it brought me to tears.”
Japan’s Dominant Performance
Sakura’s victory was part of a strong showing for Japan, which has once again demonstrated its prowess in women’s wrestling. The country’s team has claimed a total of five gold medals at the championships.
* Other Japanese Champions: Earlier in the day, Murayama Haruna defeated Ecuador’s Lucía Yépez to claim the 53kg world title, while Ami Ishii secured the gold in the 68kg division by defeating Bulgaria’s Yuliana Yaneva. This adds to the golden tally, solidifying Japan’s status as a powerhouse in the sport.
* The Path to Gold: Motoki’s journey to the final included dominant victories over opponents from Hungary, Nigeria, and Mongolia, showcasing her command of the sport. Her long-awaited win at a World Championship is a fitting reward for a career that has already seen her reach the pinnacle of the sport at the Olympics.
The win in Zagreb solidifies Motoki Sakura’s place as one of the world’s most elite wrestlers, and it serves as a powerful testament to her resilience and ability to perform under pressure.
