YOKOHAMA, Japan — In a stunning display of technical mastery and explosive strength, Seiko Watanabe captured the All-Japan Women’s Judo Open Weight Championship on Saturday, defeating Miho Yonekawa by unanimous decision in the final at Yokohama Budokan. The victory marks Watanabe’s first national title in the open weight division and establishes her as the lightest competitor to win the event since the Heisei era began in 1989.
Competing primarily in the 63-kilogram division, Watanabe entered the open weight tournament as a significant undersize challenger, facing opponents often 10 to 15 kilograms heavier. Yet through a combination of precision gripping, relentless footwork, and what she describes as “explosive hip power” honed through rigorous squat training, she advanced through six matches without conceding a single point.
“I don’t think about the weight difference,” Watanabe said in her post-match interview, still wearing her judogi and smiling broadly. “I focus on my own judo — my balance, my timing, my ability to create opportunities. Today, everything clicked.”
The final against Yonekawa, a 2022 Asian Championships medalist who competes regularly in the 70-kilogram class, was a tactical chess match. Watanabe secured two yuko scores in the first half through clever counter-attacks after defending Yonekawa’s signature seoi-nage attempts. A third yuko came late in the match when Watanabe transitioned from a failed ouchi-gari into a swift tomoe-nage, catching Yonekawa off-balance as she stepped forward.
“Seiko’s ability to read her opponent’s intent and disrupt their rhythm is extraordinary,” said Kosei Inoue, head coach of Japan’s national women’s judo team and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, speaking to NHK Sports after the match. “She doesn’t rely on size — she uses timing and technique to neutralize advantages others think they have.”
Watanabe’s physical preparation has drawn particular attention in Japanese sports media. The 26-year-old Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department athlete revealed in a pre-tournament interview with Sankei Sports that she regularly squats 165 kilograms (364 pounds) for multiple repetitions — a figure that exceeds the bodyweight of many of her open weight opponents. Her strength regimen, she explained, is designed not for bulk but for explosive power generation in the hips and legs, critical for executing techniques like uchimata and harai-goshi against larger rivals.
Beyond the tatami, Watanabe maintains an unexpected passion that has endeared her to fans nationwide: dance. Since her teenage years, she has practiced jazz and contemporary dance twice weekly, citing its benefits for balance, body awareness, and mental relaxation. “Dance helps me perceive my body in space,” she explained. “In judo, that translates to better ukemi [falling technique] and smoother transitions between techniques.”
Her approach reflects a broader shift in elite judo training, where athletes increasingly incorporate cross-disciplinary movement practices to enhance proprioception and reduce injury risk. The All-Japan Judo Federation has noted a rise in athletes incorporating pilates, yoga, and dance into their routines over the past five years, particularly among lighter weight classes seeking to compensate for size disadvantages.
The victory carries significance beyond Watanabe’s personal achievement. As the lightest open weight champion since the Heisei era, her win challenges long-held assumptions about the necessity of size in judo’s unlimited division. Historical data from the All-Japan Championships shows that prior to 2020, the average weight of open weight champions exceeded 85 kilograms, with only three champions under 70 kilograms recorded since 1990.
Watanabe’s path to the title was not without challenge. In the quarterfinals, she faced 2021 World Championships bronze medalist Saki Niizoe of the 78-kilogram division, winning by waza-ari after a dramatic golden-score extension. The semifinal against reigning 70-kilogram champion Miku Tashiro of Toyota Industries tested her endurance, with Watanabe prevailing through superior gripping stamina in the final minute.
“Each match taught me something different,” Watanabe said. “Against Niizoe, it was about patience. Against Tashiro, it was about refusing to let her establish her rhythm. And in the final, it was trusting that my judo would work, even when she was pressing hard.”
The win positions Watanabe as a strong contender for Japan’s upcoming international selections. While the open weight category is not contested at the Olympic Games, success in this tournament often signals readiness for higher-weight challenges. Watanabe has expressed interest in competing more frequently in the 70-kilogram division moving forward, where she could potentially challenge for a World Championships or Olympic berth.
“My immediate goal is to continue improving my judo,” she stated. “Whether that’s in 63kg, 70kg, or open weight, I want to fight with intelligence, and heart. Today showed me that belief in your own judo can overcome many obstacles.”
For the All-Japan Judo Federation, Watanabe’s victory highlights the evolving nature of the sport in Japan. As participation declines in traditional strongholds and athletes seek longer competitive careers through smarter training, champions like Watanabe may represent a recent model — one where technical excellence, athletic versatility, and mental resilience outweigh sheer physical magnitude.
Looking ahead, Watanabe will return to her duties with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department before resuming training for the Grand Slam Paris tournament in February 2025. Her next competitive appearance is expected at the Japan Weight Class Championships in April, where she will defend her 63-kilogram title.
Her victory in Yokohama resonated far beyond the judo community, trending nationally on Japanese social media platforms with hashtags celebrating her strength, artistry, and historic achievement. In a sport where tradition runs deep, Seiko Watanabe reminded everyone that sometimes, the lightest touch can carry the heaviest impact.
Want to share your thoughts on Watanabe’s historic win or discuss the evolving landscape of women’s judo? Join the conversation in the comments below — we read every response and value your perspective.
