Japan's Icho sisters to retire from wrestling

Tuesday 19th August, 06:49 AM JST

BEIJING —

Japan’s Kaori Icho and elder sister Chiharu Icho said Monday they are considering retiring from competitive wrestling after winning back-to-back medals at the Beijing Olympic Games. Kaori, 24, successfully defended her 63-kilogram title Sunday a day after Chiharu, 26, took her second straight silver in the 48-kg class as they repeated the same feats as in Athens four years ago when women’s wrestling made its Olympic debut. ‘‘I’ve done everything that I need to do in wrestling and this silver medal is worth gold or more than that for me. I won’t wear (wrestling) shoes anymore,’’ Chiharu told reporters in Beijing.

Kaori did not appear as determined as Chiharu on her future plans. ‘‘I’ve always been with Chiharu in my wrestling career and it’ll make me wonder what I have to wrestle for if she quits. It may turn out that this (Beijing Olympics) was my last meet,’’ Kaori said. But Saori Yoshida, who claimed her second straight 55-kg Olympic gold, made clear she will continue wrestling, while 30-year-old veteran and 72-kg bronze medalist Kyoko Hamaguchi said she will take some time to decide on her future.

Kyodo

2 Comments

Smythe at 11:20 AM JST - 19th August

They could get into coaching the other girls rather then giving up the sport completely. I never reached the level of either for sure, as a male, but found it pleasing to take on a team of younger (male in my case) wrestlers--I simply did not feel it would be right to teach female wrestlers for so often the arms & hands are in private places to reach a leg or arm.

In my case it was only high school students, but to have them become the best team in my area to even prove their ability at a higher level was rewarding for some have gone on to become high school Physical Education Instructors AND teaching their students the art of Amateur Wrestling.

After all they could be teaching female wrestlers to the position of representing themselves in World Championships to even the Olympics.

My coach realized I was not going to try out to be on the Canddian Team to the Olympics-----so rather then stop wrestling he suggsted I become a Certified Amateur Wrestling Coach & did that for 15 yrs liking it from start to finish.
rajakumar at 03:50 PM JST - 19th August

Good, Icho sisters,now we you all can work as coaches, for asiad 2010.