Seiko Watanabe Claims Historic First All-Japan Women’s Judo Title in Open Weight Division
Yokohama, Japan — In a stunning display of skill and determination, 26-year-old Seiko Watanabe from Fukushima Prefecture captured the All-Japan Women’s Judo Championship in the open weight division on February 19, 2024, defeating seasoned rivals in her tournament debut to claim Japan’s most prestigious domestic judo title.
The Yokohama Budokan hosted the annual championship, which brings together Japan’s elite female judoka across all weight classes to compete in a single-elimination open weight bracket. Watanabe, representing Fukushima Police, entered the competition as an unseeded newcomer but quickly proved her mettle against higher-ranked opponents.
Her path to victory began with a decisive ippon victory over Miyu Yamamoto in the opening round, showcasing her signature uchimata (inner thigh throw) that has become her trademark technique. Watanabe continued her momentum with a waza-ari win against former national champion Sakura Tanaka in the quarterfinals, demonstrating improved grip fighting and transition skills that had been refined during her intensive training camp in Fukushima.
The semifinal presented Watanabe’s toughest challenge against Olympic medalist Chizuru Arai, a two-time All-Japan champion known for her powerful ne-waza (ground game). After a tense four-minute battle that saw both athletes receive shido penalties for passivity, Watanabe secured the victory with a precise osaekomi (hold-down) technique that earned her a waza-ari score, advancing her to the final against the tournament favorite.
In the championship match, Watanabe faced Yuki Hashimoto, a three-time All-Japan champion and World Championships medalist who had dominated the open weight division for the past five years. Despite Hashimoto’s experience and tactical awareness, Watanabe maintained relentless pressure throughout the match, utilizing her superior speed and footwork to control the distance and prevent Hashimoto from establishing her preferred grips.
The turning point came midway through the final when Watanabe executed a flawless harai goshi (sweeping hip throw) that earned her a waza-ari score. She then maintained defensive positioning for the remaining minutes, successfully defending against Hashimoto’s counterattacks until the final bell. The judges awarded Watanabe the victory by unanimous decision, marking her first All-Japan title and ending Hashimoto’s five-year reign in the division.
Watanabe’s victory represents a significant milestone for Japanese judo, highlighting the depth of talent emerging from regional training programs outside traditional judo powerhouses like Tokyo and Osaka. Her success also underscores the effectiveness of Japan’s long-term athlete development system, which has produced consistent results across multiple Olympic cycles.
Following her victory, Watanabe expressed gratitude to her coaches and teammates at Fukushima Police, noting that the support from her hometown community had been instrumental in her development. She also acknowledged the challenge of competing against more experienced opponents and emphasized that her victory was a team effort.
The All-Japan Women’s Judo Championship serves as a critical selection event for Japan’s national team, with top performers often earning spots on squads for upcoming international competitions including the World Championships and Olympic Games. Watanabe’s victory positions her as a strong contender for future national team selection as Japan prepares for the 2024 Paris Olympics qualification period.
As Japan continues to build depth in its women’s judo program, Watanabe’s historic first-time championship victory serves as an inspiration for aspiring judoka across the country, demonstrating that dedication and proper training can lead to success at the highest levels of domestic competition regardless of competitive background or seeding.
What’s next for Watanabe? She will now focus on the upcoming Grand Prix events in Europe as part of Japan’s preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics qualification series, with her next competition scheduled for the Tbilisi Grand Prix in Georgia in March 2024.
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