Japanese Wrestling Star Yui Susaki Arrives in India with Clear Goals
Yui Susaki stepped into India carrying the weight of an Olympic champion. The Japanese wrestler felt the familiar fatigue of travel and the unease of new surroundings. She worried about her English skills without an interpreter present. To prepare, she requested questions in advance and kept notes on her phone for reference.
Her concerns proved unnecessary. When asked about Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, Susaki's response needed no translation. She smiled brightly and declared, "Tell Vinesh, I want to fight her again." She did not glance at her phone for this answer. "I am a challenger now," she stated firmly.
A Champion's Respect and a Memorable Defeat
Susaki speaks about Vinesh with clear respect. "I respect her. I heard she had a baby, no?" she recalls. "Tell her many hellos. I wish her health and a happy family. I am happy for her. If I meet Vinesh, I want to wrestle her again."
This is a significant statement from a rare athlete. Susaki is a four-time world champion and the defending Olympic gold medalist from Tokyo. She entered the Paris Olympics with an impeccable 82-0 record in the 50-kg category. That streak ended when she faced Vinesh Phogat.
In Delhi, she appears far removed from the shocked, tearful competitor seen in Paris two years ago. To a casual observer, she might seem like a relaxed tourist. But those within the wrestling community recognize her instantly.
Inspiration and a Warm Welcome in India
Young Indian wrestler Sarika waited patiently during Susaki's interview. Afterward, she approached the champion. Sarika explained that Susaki was her idol and the reason she started wrestling. "You have no idea how much you mean to me," she told Susaki.
Susaki, mistaking Sarika for another Indian wrestler, Antim Panghal, exclaimed, "Oh, Antim!" The mistaken identity did not matter to Sarika. She was simply thrilled to meet her hero. Such interactions will become more common as the Pro Wrestling League begins.
Susaki joins the league as the season's most expensive player. Haryana Thunders bought her for Rs 60 lakh. "I never expected to have the highest bid," she admits. When asked about her plans in India, she laughs. "No. Only wrestle, wrestle, wrestle."
Confronting a Defining Loss
The conversation inevitably turns to her Paris defeat. Both wrestlers were in tears after their match. "I didn't expect that defeat," Susaki says somberly. "That day, I couldn't believe it happened. It was really disappointing. It was a shocking experience, but that experience was important to me."
Her record was extraordinary. She won gold in Tokyo without conceding a single point. She had never lost to a non-Japanese opponent. She was leading 2-0 late in the match against Vinesh. So, did that loss change her?
"Maybe that experience made me realize what I was lacking," she reflects. "That defeat prompted me to confront myself even more. It allowed me to grow in all aspects. It was frustrating, but I see it as necessary. Because I want to win gold at the Los Angeles Olympics and Brisbane, I will use the defeat to Vinesh to my advantage."
The Path Forward for a Champion
A crushing defeat often brings darkness and self-doubt. How does a champion athlete process such a moment? "This was the most disheartening and depressing event of my life," Susaki confesses. "But I want to bounce back. I need to show everyone that I can become a Japanese champion, a world champion, and an Olympic champion again. I want to inspire courage and hope in others."
By the end of the conversation, Yui Susaki is no longer looking at her phone. Her English flows more confidently. The champion is speaking directly from her heart, and every word carries the weight of her ambition and resilience.
KNOW YUI SUSAKI
- Nationality: Japanese
- Age: 26
- Height: 153 cm
- Weight: 50 kg
- Style: Freestyle
- 2020 Tokyo Olympics: Gold
- 2024 Paris Olympics: Bronze
- World Championships: 4 Gold
- Asian Championships: 2 Gold
- World U-23 Championship: 1 Gold
Achievement: She is the first wrestler in history to achieve a 'Grand Slam' of world titles across all age levels: U15, U17, U20, U23, senior, and Olympics.
