Japan's Paris Olympics-bound Yui Susaki, Tsugumi Sakurai and Yuka Kagami won their respective women's freestyle weight divisions at the wrestling world championships on Wednesday, with Nonoka Ozaki also triumphing in the non-Olympic 65-kilogram category.
The trio had all punched their tickets for Paris a day earlier by winning their semifinals and securing podium finishes in the Serbian capital.
In a rematch of last year's final, Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Susaki cruised to a 10-0 technical fall victory in the 50-kg final over Otgonjargal Dolgorjav of Mongolia after scoring a single-leg takedown, three spins and another single.
"It's been a tough period but I've managed to overcome it, which gives me huge confidence going forward," said Susaki, who revealed after the tournament that she had suffered a right knee injury three weeks ago that initially left her limping.
But the win in Belgrade means she remains unbeaten against overseas wrestlers heading to Paris.
Sakurai fended off a late comeback from Anastasia Nichita of Moldova 3-2 in the 57-kg final as she captured the world gold for the third straight year, including the 55 kg in 2021.
"I went on to the mat believing I'd got stronger than last year," Sakurai said. "I'm determined to win the gold medal in Paris."
Kagami downed Aiperi Medet Kyzy of Kyrgyzstan 8-0 in the 76-kg final, meanwhile, becoming the first Japanese champion in the women's heaviest category since Kyoko Hamaguchi won the 72 kg in 2003.
"I was carrying the hopes of (Japanese) heavyweights. This is the best day of my life and I'm really happy," she said.
Ozaki had a 10-0 technical fall win against Macey Kilty of the United States for her title.
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