Ryuju Nagayama Announces Birth of Second Child Following World Championship Success
Japanese judo star Ryuju Nagayama is celebrating a major victory off the tatami. The Paris 2024 Olympic medalist and current world champion announced the birth of his second child on April 12, sharing the news and a photo of the recent sibling with his followers on Instagram.
For a man who has spent the last several years navigating the high-pressure environment of the 60kg division, the announcement marks a moment of personal serenity. Nagayama, known for his tenacity and technical precision, expressed his affection for the siblings in the post, noting how precious the sight of them together already is.
A Legacy of Resilience: From Paris to the Podium
The news of Nagayama’s growing family comes as he continues to cement his status as one of the most formidable forces in international judo. Whereas the birth of his second child is the current highlight, his professional journey over the last two years has been defined by an extraordinary ability to overcome adversity.
During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Nagayama provided one of the most dramatic narratives of the judo competition. Competing in the men’s 60kg category, Nagayama entered the quarterfinals as a former world number one with gold medal ambitions. But, the match against Spain’s Galigos became a flashpoint of controversy.
In a sequence that left many observers stunned, the referee called “mate” (stop) while Galigos had Nagayama in a choking hold. While Nagayama relaxed his defense trusting the referee’s signal, Galigos did not release the pressure for several seconds. The result was a momentary loss of consciousness for the Japanese athlete. Despite the confusion and the physical toll of the incident, Nagayama refused to let the controversy derail his Olympic dream.
After being declared the loser of the quarterfinal, Nagayama fought through the repechage, defeating a Taiwanese opponent before facing Turkey’s Ildis in the bronze medal match. Driven by a desire to avoid returning home empty-handed for the sake of his supporting family, Nagayama secured the victory to claim the Olympic bronze medal.
He further added to his Olympic haul by securing a silver medal as part of the Japanese mixed team event in Paris, proving his value as both an individual powerhouse and a reliable teammate.
Ascending to World Champion Status
If Paris was about resilience, 2025 has been about dominance. Nagayama has transitioned from an Olympic medalist to the absolute peak of the sport. At the 2025 World Championships in Budapest, Nagayama captured the gold medal in the 60kg division, officially becoming the world champion.
This victory in Budapest represents the culmination of a career spent chasing the top spot. While he had previously secured bronze medals at the World Championships in Baku (2018) and Tokyo (2019), the 2025 gold confirms his place as the man to beat in the lightweight division.
To understand Nagayama’s success, one must seem at his technical foundation. Standing 156cm tall, he utilizes a right-handed grip and is widely recognized for his mastery of the Seoi-nage (shoulder throw) and Sode-tsurikomi-goshi (sleeve lifting hip throw). These techniques allow him to leverage his compact frame to neutralize larger opponents, a skill set he has honed since beginning judo at the age of four in his hometown of Bibai, Hokkaido.
A Career Defined by Consistency
Nagayama’s recent achievements are not isolated incidents but part of a long-term trajectory of excellence. He has been a perennial threat on the IJF World Tour, accumulating a staggering number of titles across World Masters and Grand Slam events.
His dominance is particularly evident in the World Masters, where he has claimed gold in 2017 (Saint Petersburg), 2019 (Qingdao), and 2023 (Budapest). His Grand Slam record is equally impressive, with gold medals in Tokyo, Ekaterinburg, Dusseldorf, Paris, Tashkent, and Ulaanbaatar.
For global fans, Nagayama represents the “golden standard” of the 60kg class—a fighter who combines the traditional discipline of Japanese judo with a modern, aggressive competitive edge.
Nagayama’s Medal Record
To provide a clearer picture of his standing in the sport, the following table outlines his primary international achievements:
| Competition | Medal | Year/Location | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Championships | Gold | 2025 Budapest | 60kg |
| Olympic Games | Silver | 2024 Paris | Mixed Team |
| Olympic Games | Bronze | 2024 Paris | 60kg |
| World Masters | Gold | 2017, 2019, 2023 | 60kg |
| World Championships | Bronze | 2018 Baku / 2019 Tokyo | 60kg |
The Balance of Fatherhood and Sport
The transition to becoming a father of two often presents a challenge for elite athletes, particularly in weight-class sports like judo where strict discipline regarding diet and training is mandatory. However, Nagayama’s ability to maintain his world-champion form while expanding his family suggests a high level of mental and physical maturity.
His reflections after the Paris Olympics highlighted the role of his family as his primary motivation. The drive to “not return empty-handed” for those who traveled to support him is the same emotional fuel that likely drives his current training regimen as he defends his world title.
As he balances the demands of the 60kg division with the responsibilities of a father, Nagayama remains the focal point of Japanese judo’s lightweight hopes. His journey from the streets of Bibai to the top of the podium in Budapest serves as a blueprint for aspiring judokas worldwide.
The next confirmed checkpoint for Nagayama will be his continued defense of the world title and his participation in upcoming IJF World Tour events. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how the new addition to his family influences his approach to the next competitive cycle.
Do you think Nagayama can maintain his world number one status through the next Olympic cycle? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
