Summer Olympics / Wrestling Aug 6, 2021
Risako, 26, and Yukako, 23, both won their categories in women's freestyle wrestling, standing on top of the podium and singing the national anthem two days in a row.
Summer Olympics / Wrestling Aug 5, 2021
Japanese wrestler Risako Kawai follows up sister's gold with one of her own
Risako Kawai took gold Thursday by beating Belarus's Iryna Kurachkina 5-0 in the women's 57 kg freestyle wrestling final.
Summer Olympics Aug 5, 2021
What to watch on Day 13 of the Tokyo Olympics
by Joel Tansey
The first medals for sport climbing are ready to be handed out while karate makes its long-awaited Olympic debut as Tokyo 2020 moves into the final homestretch.
Summer Olympics / Wrestling Aug 4, 2021
Yukako Kawai wins Japan's first wrestling gold of Tokyo Olympics
Kawai beat Kyrgyzstan's Aisuluu Tynybekova 4-3 in a frenetic freestyle 62 kg final, while her older sister Risako booked her ticket to Thursday's 57 kg gold medal match.
Summer Olympics Jul 31, 2021
Will Japan’s gold rush end with judo? Not likely.
by Jason Coskrey
Japan has won nine golds in judo so far, the most by a single nation at an Olympics. Japan set the previous mark of eight in 2004.
Summer Olympics / Wrestling Jul 7, 2021
Risako Kawai aiming for second straight Olympic wrestling gold
by Jason Coskrey
The 26-year-old will be competing in a new weight class at the Tokyo Games, stepping down to 57 kg after winning the 63-kg category in Rio de Janeiro.
More Sports Apr 17, 2020
Olympic medal hopeful Risako Kawai using lockdown to lock in mental fortitude
The Rio gold medalist is focusing on studying possible opponents as she prepares to wrestle in the lighter 57-kg category next year.
More Sports Sep 20, 2019
Risako Kawai defeated defending women’s 57-kg champion Rong Ningning of China on Thursday to capture the third world championship gold medal of her career. Kawai had booked her spot at next year's Tokyo Olympics in the 57-kg division the day before by winning her semifinal. ...
More Sports Sep 18, 2019
Wrestlers Risako Kawai, Hiroe Minagawa punch tickets for 2020 Tokyo Games; Kaori Icho eliminated
Risako Kawai booked her spot in next year's Tokyo Olympics on Wednesday along with compatriot Hiroe Minagawa as both advanced to the finals of their weight classes at the world wrestling championships in the capital city of Kazakhstan. The 24-year-old Kawai, who defeated four-time Olympic ...
More Sports Jul 6, 2019
Wrestling icon Kaori Icho's bid for fifth Olympic title hits wall
Four-time defending Olympic wrestling champion Kaori Icho's bid for a fifth title took a severe hit on Saturday, when the 35-year-old failed to qualify for September's World Wrestling Championships. Icho lost her 57-kg qualification playoff against Rio de Janeiro Olympic 63-kg champ Risako Kawai, who ...
More Sports Dec 23, 2018
Kaori Icho flashes old form to win rematch against Risako Kawai
Four-time Olympic champion Kaori Icho took a step toward the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Sunday, winning her rematch against fellow Rio Olympic champion Risako Kawai at the national wrestling championships. Icho, who declared for the first time on Saturday that she would attempt to compete ...
More Sports Dec 22, 2018
Risako Kawai upsets Kaori Icho in first round at national championships
Four-time Olympic champion Kaori Icho overcame a loss to Rio de Janeiro Summer Games gold medalist Risako Kawai at the national wrestling championships on Saturday and declared she is now gunning to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Icho and Kawai's group-stage match was the ...