Icho, Obara win wrestling gold for Japan

Olympics Aug. 09, 2012 - 02:00PM JST ( 19 )

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19 Comments

2

LunchboxAug. 09, 2012 - 07:16AM JST

3 golds in a row, impressive!!
2

cornbread1Aug. 09, 2012 - 08:21AM JST

Fantastic!!
1

papigiulioAug. 09, 2012 - 08:39AM JST

Both won? fantastic. Saw the quarterfinals and the Azebadjani looked strong. Good on them.
-1

my2senseAug. 09, 2012 - 08:48AM JST

come on back... how about a Mevius to celebrate with a talento.
1

shanabelleAug. 09, 2012 - 09:04AM JST

An amazing achievement by both of them. Congratulations!!
-1

smithinjapanAug. 09, 2012 - 09:29AM JST

Congrats. A big boost for Japan and their gold medal haul. I suspect a few more before things are wrapped up. Anyway, true champions.
2

mrkobayashiAug. 09, 2012 - 09:37AM JST

Apparently she injured her leg during practice after arriving in London. Some ligament damage in her left foot. Amazing woman!

http://london.yahoo.co.jp/column/detail/201208090006-spnavi
1

sn00z3Aug. 09, 2012 - 09:42AM JST

Congrats!

I hope JT will provide video clip of her winning moment.
1

TSRnowAug. 09, 2012 - 10:28AM JST

I saw both matches live. They were amazing!

Icho was so strong, I sort of relaxed after she won the 1st set.

The exciting one was Obara's. She fought really hard. It was very unfortunate for her that her class (51kgs) didn't make the Olympics 8 years ago. Losing weight and getting back from retirement must have been really tough. I am really happy she ended her carreer as a gold medalist.
6

alliswellinjapanAug. 09, 2012 - 10:46AM JST

Obara's victory presents one of the most beautiful stories at this event. She has come back from two retirements, a period of depression and devoted support from her husband who has helped bring her back from her depression and convinced her into taking another challenge at winning the ticket to the Olympics. Her first major setback came when her weight class itself was removed from the Olympics and she had to choose whether to compete with her own sister or to challenge the class of the reigning Saori Yoshida. Apparently she chose the latter and Yoshida was unbeatable. Obara's sister too was unable to beat her rival Icho. It is only after her sister's marriage and retirement that enabled Obara to challenge the 48kg class this time. Her sister who has never made it to the Olympics was cheering her on with her new born baby, as was Obara's husband. This is the first and last Olympics for Obara, and should serve as a great moment of salvation for her and everyone who has stood by her. People suffering from depression should also hopefully be encouraged.
0

BurakuminDesAug. 09, 2012 - 10:56AM JST

Icho would have to have strong claims now to the title of best Japanese sportsperson in history. She is unbeatable - and hopefully sponsors will flock to her now! They sure are tough and strong, Japanese women - wouldn't pick a fight with any of them thats for sure! Hopefully now the men wrestlers also get a hatful of gold.
0

OnniyamaAug. 09, 2012 - 11:03AM JST

Great for both of them! A bit disappointed to see Carol Huyhn lose out though. She was the defending gold medalist. At least she got the bronze.
1

kurumazakaAug. 09, 2012 - 12:23PM JST

Didnt think Obara would be able to get past Huyhn but she made it look pretty easy. Congrats to both her and Icho. Now to watch Yoshida wipe the mat with whomever is unlucky enough to face her.
-1

timeonAug. 09, 2012 - 12:58PM JST

Congrats! By the way, do they have mud wrestling at the Olympics? They should :)
0

JDB829Aug. 09, 2012 - 01:26PM JST

The ladies from Japan continue to bring home the bling! Gokurosama! Good job!
-1

BurakuminDesAug. 09, 2012 - 01:52PM JST

Congrats! By the way, do they have mud wrestling at the Olympics? They should :)

We hear ya brother! Maybe not with the two Golden ladies above mind you - but I can think of plenty other candidates!
1

beowulfAug. 09, 2012 - 03:16PM JST

Icho is a remarkable athlete and never looked in trouble in any of her bouts.

I also think she is really attractive.
0

edojinAug. 09, 2012 - 03:53PM JST

Japan has a chance for two more golds in women's wrestling, with the qualifications tonight and the finals early in the morning. Saori Yoshida in the 55-kilogram group and Kyoko Hamaguchi in the dangerous 72-kilogram group will be taking on all comers in their bid for the top medals. Also interesting will be to see how Hamaguchi's father, a former retired professional wrestler who went by the name of "Animal," acts during his daughter's fight. He gets rather emotional ... and always shows that he strongly supports his daughter ... like a good father should.

Saw the finals in which Kaori Icho and Hitomi Obara won. Good fights through and through. Just happened to wake up at the right time and get the telly switched on for their gold medal action.
-3

BurakuminDesAug. 09, 2012 - 04:37PM JST

He gets rather emotional ... and always shows that he strongly supports his daughter ... like a good father should.

I'm not so sure if slapping your daughters face and making her cry after she lost a bout several years ago - all captured on national TV mind you - qualifies as a good father. I reckon it qualifies him as a dropkick. Kudos for Yoshida for achieving what she has in spite of this horrible man physically attacking her when she loses.