Fukuoka Police Officer Aono Wins Second National Judo Title in Two Years
Fukuoka Prefecture police officer Minami Aono captured her second All-Japan Selection Judo Weight Class Championship title in three years, defeating top competitors in the women’s 63kg division with her signature uchi mata technique to earn ippon victory in golden score overtime.
The 25-year-old officer, who serves as a judo special training instructor with the Fukuoka Prefectural Police Education Division, was presented with her award by Police Chief Kazuhito Sumitomo during a ceremony held at prefecture headquarters on April 17, 2026.
Aono’s victory marks her second championship win, following her initial title in 2024. She rebounded from a third-place finish in 2025 to reclaim the national crown in the tournament held April 5, 2026 in Fukuoka City.
Championship Path Defined by Resilience
Aono’s road to victory required overcoming significant adversity, as her final match extended into golden score overtime before she secured the win with her preferred technique.
“Various people’s support gave me the strength to win the championship. I want to identify challenges from daily practice and prepare to win again in the next match.”
— Minami Aono, post-match interview
The officer, who graduated from Fukuoka University before joining the police force in 2023, has established herself as one of Japan’s premier judo competitors in the 63kg weight class. Her competitive record includes:
- All-Japan Selection Champion: 2024, 2026
- All-Japan Selection Third Place: 2025
- National Police Judo Championship Winner: 2023
- Grand Slam Baku Silver Medalist: 2025
- Multiple Grand Prix and Grand Slam Bronze Medals: 2024
Technical Excellence in Competition
Aono’s championship victory was built upon her technical mastery, particularly her expertise in the uchi mata (inner thigh throw) technique, which she has consistently employed at the highest levels of international competition.
Her path to the title included defeating former world champion Horikawa Megumi of Park24 via uchi mata to win the weight class division in April 2024, demonstrating her ability to overcome elite opposition.
The officer’s technical proficiency extends beyond judo to wrestling, where she achieved junior national placements during her high school years, contributing to her well-rounded grappling base that has served her well against diverse competitive styles.
Balancing Law Enforcement and Elite Athletics
As a full-time police officer with the Fukuoka Prefectural Police, Aono represents a growing trend of law enforcement athletes competing at national and international levels while maintaining public service careers.
Her dual role allows her to contribute to police judo instruction while pursuing personal athletic excellence, creating a symbiotic relationship between her professional duties and competitive aspirations.
Aono has expressed ambitions to compete in the Olympic Games while also targeting victory at the upcoming National Police Judo Championship scheduled for September 2026.
Historical Context and Future Implications
Aono’s back-to-back championship appearances with a title in 2024 and 2026, separated only by a third-place finish in 2025, demonstrates remarkable consistency in Japan’s highly competitive women’s 63kg judo division.
Her achievement places her among an elite group of Japanese judoka who have won multiple national titles while serving in law enforcement, highlighting the continued strength of Japan’s police sports programs in developing world-class athletes.
The victory also reinforces Fukuoka Prefecture’s reputation as a breeding ground for judo talent, following in the tradition of other successful athletes who have emerged from the region’s strong martial arts infrastructure.
