TOKYO — After a three-year hiatus from elite competition, Sara Mori made a triumphant return to the national stage, reaching the quarterfinals of the All-Japan Women’s Judo Championships in Tokyo on Sunday. The 24-year-old judoka, who balanced her athletic pursuits with university studies during her absence, defeated her opening opponent before falling to eventual bronze medalist Miku Tashiro in the last eight.
Mori’s comeback began in earnest last March when she won the Tokyo Prefectural Championships, marking her first competitive appearance since the 2021 Grand Slam in Paris. Speaking after her victory over Yuki Sato in the round of 16, Mori credited the unwavering support of her former high school teammates for lifting her spirits during a emotionally charged return to the tatami.
“It was a happy day,” Mori said, her voice thick with emotion. “The students from Sakushin Gakuin High School came to cheer for me. Hearing their voices reminded me why I started this journey.”
The All-Japan Championships, held annually at the Nippon Budokan, serve as Japan’s premier domestic judo tournament and a critical qualifier for international selection. This year’s edition featured a deep field, including Olympic medalists and World Championships contenders, making Mori’s quarterfinal appearance all the more significant given her extended break from top-tier competition.
Mori, a 2019 World Championships bronze medalist in the 78kg division, had stepped back from international competition after the Tokyo Olympics to focus on her academic commitments at Nippon Sport Science University. Her return to competitive judo was gradual, beginning with local tournaments before culminating in her Tokyo Prefectural title win.
In her opening match, Mori displayed the precise technique and tactical awareness that defined her pre-hiatus career, defeating Sato with a well-executed ouchi-gari (inner leg throw) for ippon just 2 minutes and 18 seconds into the bout. The victory set up a quarterfinal clash against Tashiro, a rising star who had defeated Mori in their only previous encounter at the 2022 Emperor’s Cup.
The rematch proved challenging. Tashiro, known for her aggressive gripping and powerful seoi-nage (shoulder throw), controlled much of the early exchanges. Mori countered with defensive precision and occasional counter-attempts, but ultimately fell to a waza-ari score midway through the match, which held as the deciding score when neither competitor could add further points before time expired.
Despite the loss, Mori’s performance signaled a strong return to form. Her ability to compete at the quarterfinal level against top domestic talent after such an extended absence underscores both her resilience and the depth of her technical foundation. Judo analysts noted her improved grip fighting and transition speed compared to her pre-2021 form, suggesting her time away may have sharpened certain aspects of her game.
“Sara showed the judo world today why she was once considered among the best in her weight class,” said Hiroshi Nakamura, a former national team coach and current commentator for NHK Sports. “Her timing and footwork were exceptional. She just ran into a tough matchup today against a player who has evolved significantly since they last met.”
Tashiro went on to lose in the semifinals to reigning World Champion Akira Sone, eventually securing the bronze medal after defeating compatriot Rafaela Silva in the bronze medal match. Mori’s quarterfinal finish places her among the top eight nationally in her weight class for the 2024 season.
The All-Japan Championships serve as a key stepping stone toward the 2024 Paris Olympic cycle, with strong performances influencing selection for upcoming international events including the Asian Games and World Championships. While Mori did not compete at the 2023 World Championships in Doha due to her academic focus, her performance in Tokyo suggests she could be a contender for future national team consideration.
Looking ahead, Mori indicated she intends to continue balancing her academic responsibilities with a renewed competitive schedule. Her next target is the upcoming Grand Prix event in Linz, Austria, scheduled for late November, where she aims to test herself against international opposition.
For now, Mori remains focused on the immediate next steps: refining her technique, maintaining her academic excellence, and building momentum toward her long-term goal of representing Japan on the Olympic podium once again.
As she bowed out of the Nippon Budokan on Sunday, Mori was greeted by a sustained round of applause from the crowd — a testament not just to her result, but to the perseverance behind it. In a sport where comebacks are rare and often fleeting, Sara Mori’s return has already begun to feel like something more enduring.
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