The final seconds ticked down. In Zagreb, the world watched a champion prove her worth. Sakura Motoki secured her first world championship gold medal with a dramatic 5-4 victory.
This win in the 62kg final against Ok Ju Kim was a career-defining moment. It added world gold to her recent Olympic wrestling triumph. The victory erased years of near-misses on the international stage.
Her journey to the top was a lesson in persistence. After earning world bronze in 2022 and silver in 2023, she broke through. This pattern of incremental progress defines an elite athlete who learns from every setback.
The match itself was a heart-stopping affair, decided in the last 0.3 seconds. Such clutch performances have become her signature. They showcase a mental toughness that separates contenders from true champions.
Japan’s wrestling dominance was also on full display. The team captured five gold medals and topped the standings with 162 points. This victory was more than a personal achievement; it cemented a national legacy.
Sakura Motoki Shines: Breaking Records at the World Championships
The final buzzer sounded to confusion, but a coach’s challenge would reveal the decisive moment captured with three-tenths of a second to spare. This victory at the senior world championships was not just about winning gold. It was about conquering a pattern of near-misses on the global stage.
Dramatic Last-Second Victory Against Ok Ju Kim
In the 62kg final, the athlete built a solid 3-0 lead. Her opponent, Ok Ju Kim, stormed back to take a 4-3 advantage with just 35 seconds left.
Facing another heartbreaking silver medal, the champion launched a frantic series of attacks in the final 12 seconds. A final, desperate headlock throw sent Kim to the mat as time expired. The initial call was no score, but the challenge confirmed the throw was legal with 0.3 seconds remaining, securing the 5-4 win and the world title.
From Olympic Resilience to World Gold Glory
This clutch performance mirrored her Paris Olympic semifinal, where she rallied from a 7-2 deficit to win by fall. She thrives when the pressure is highest.
Her path to this world championship gold was forged in Japan’s brutal domestic qualifiers. She had to defeat other world-class champions just to earn her team spot, often with last-second moves. The wrestler has transformed into a competitor who owns the final moments.
Key Moments and Strategies from the Championship Finals
Under the bright lights of international competition, the athlete’s preparation met its ultimate test. Every tactical choice in the 62kg weight class final carried championship consequences.
She entered this world competition with hard-earned wisdom from previous bronze and silver medal finishes. Those experiences shaped her approach to the final day.
Masterful Techniques in the 62kg Final
The champion’s opening strategy focused on controlling the match tempo. She used calculated single-leg takedowns to build an early lead while avoiding unnecessary risks.
When her opponent attacked with a single leg, she made a conscious decision. “I thought it would be alright to give up two points,” she explained later. This tactical concession maintained her advantage with limited time remaining.
Critical Moves and Tactical Shifts
The match turned when an unexpected gut wrench added two more points against her. Suddenly trailing with 35 seconds left, she faced potential silver medal disappointment again.
Her final 12-second assault demonstrated elite wrestling intelligence under pressure. Failed attacks led immediately to new attempts without resetting. The desperate headlock throw that secured gold came from both muscle memory and championship instinct.
This world title victory validated her mental preparation. She used past medal ceremony music as a daily reminder of unfinished business. Those previous bronze and silver finishes ultimately forged the champion who could win when it mattered most.
Inside Japan’s Wrestling Dominance and Team Triumphs
The final team standings told a clear story of Japanese wrestling supremacy. The nation’s women captured five of the ten available gold medals at the senior world championships. This collective effort resulted in a commanding 162 points, far ahead of the competition.
Multiple Gold Medals and Collective Success
Haruna Murayama’s victory at 53kg was a masterclass. She defeated Paris silver medalist Lucía Yépez 5-0, earning her fourth career world title. Murayama had nearly given up on competing in Olympic weight classes, making this win particularly significant.
Ami Ishii showcased resilience by winning the 68kg world champion title. She overcame an early deficit to defeat Yuliana Yaneva 4-2. This victory erased the sting of missing the Paris Olympics after a last-second loss in the trials.
The team’s success was not limited to gold. Their depth across weight classes propelled them to the top of the standings. This performance cemented their status as the powerhouse in women’s wrestling.
Insights into Future Competitions and Rising Stars
The global field showed impressive strength. Alla Belinska of Ukraine won the 72kg title with a decisive pin. Kennedy Blades of the USA claimed a bronze medal at 68kg after moving down a weight class.
Notable bronze medal performances came from athletes like Nurzat Nurtaeva and Amina Tandelova. Orkhon Purevdorj of Mongolia earned her first world medal since 2017. These results highlight the sport’s growing international depth.
United World Wrestling’s social media, with Instagram posts shared widely, captured the historic day. The event signaled a bright future for the sport worldwide.
Looking Forward: Lasting Impact on the Global Wrestling Scene
The path to wrestling’s ultimate honor now has one final checkpoint. Motoki heads to the U23 World Championships in Serbia this October. A victory there would secure a historic “Golden Grand Slam.”
This rare achievement requires winning at every level: U17, U20, U23, senior world, and Olympic wrestling. She already holds the first two age-group world titles and her recent senior world gold. The U23 world title is the last piece.
Her journey has been far from smooth. Injuries followed her early success, leading to tough losses. She credits her support system for helping her overcome those hard times.
The 2025 championships will test her ability to maintain peak form. This potential Grand Slam cements a legacy beyond any single medal. It signals a new era of complete dominance on the world stage.
