Chiharu Icho takes silver again

Sunday 17th August, 06:37 AM JST

BEIJING —

At the Beijing Games, Chiharu Icho had to settle again for silver, ending her dream of grabbing the gold together with her younger sister Kaori and Japan’s hope of sweeping all four weight classes in women’s freestyle wrestling.

Icho struggled with her movement all day in the 48-kg category and had to be content with the same result as at the Athens Olympics four ago in a loss to Canadian Carol Huynh. ‘‘The road that I walked together with Kaori has been a bright one. I feel proud that I was able to do that with her,’’ Icho said, adding she was satisfied with the silver as her opponent was ‘‘strong today and had more stamina than me.’’ On Sunday, her younger sister Kaori Icho will aim to defend her title at 63 kg, while compatriot Kyoko Hamaguchi will seek the gold at 72 kg after a bronze finish in Athens.

Kyodo

5 Comments

flammenwerfer at 09:20 AM JST - 17th August

She did well throughtout but didnt have enough for the final, Silver is nothing to be ashamed of - well done Chiharu.

Special note to Canada - this was their first medal of the games! after 8 days!
smithinjapan at 11:26 AM JST - 17th August

Flammenwerfer: Technically, it was Canada's second medal -- we got a silver in canoeing (I think) 25 minutes before the gold here... not that it was broadcast or really matters much; but since we're being technical.

Anyway, I'm not being biased here, but Chiharu was outclassed in this match, easily. She did very well in some other matches, but she seemed pretty tired coming into this one, and the Canadian dominated from the outset. Silver is indeed nothing to be ashamed of, and Chiharu looked pretty happy on the podium, or at least she looked satisfied.
presto345 at 01:28 PM JST - 17th August

Chiharu had set her goal and hopes very high. She did very well and the silver medal on this level is a great achievement. Congratulations!!
rajakumar at 05:28 PM JST - 17th August

Way to go Chiharu Icho.
mcs1972 at 01:24 PM JST - 18th August

For me, Chiharu's silver medal has more weight than any other gold medals. Her fight before the gold bout was truly amazing! She is great! I'm thinking to name my daughter after her...