Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Mayu Shidochi won her third world title and her Japanese teammate Nonoka Ozaki claimed her first at the world wrestling championships Tuesday.
Shidochi, who took Olympic gold competing under her maiden name Mukaida in the women's 53-kilogram category, scored a 10-0 victory over Ukraine's Oleksandra Khomenets in the 55-kg final, her fourth technical fall in five matches in the Serbian capital of Belgrade.
"I tried to enjoy it as much as possible, and it was good to win the title," the 25-year-old Shidochi said of her first worlds crown since 2018. "I want to go unbeaten and win gold at the Paris Olympics."
Japan is looking to continue its dominance in women's wrestling at the 2024 Olympics in Paris after collecting four of the available six gold medals in Tokyo last year.
In the 62-kg final, Ozaki beat Kayla Miracle of the United States 10-0 by technical fall.
"This is the best day of my wrestling career," said the 19-year-old Ozaki, who won her place in the Japan team after defeating 62-kg Olympic champion Yukako Kawai in the domestic trials.
"I ended up in third place last year. When I finished my match for bronze, I vowed to win gold next time. I have to stand here (on the top of the podium) again at next year's world championships."
Among other Japanese wrestlers, Yui Susaki, also a Tokyo Olympic gold medalist, advanced to Wednesday's final in the women's 50-kg division with a win over Miesinnei Mercy Genesis of Nigeria.
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