Shirogane Ashikaga Secures Three-Peat in Interhigh Judogi Prefectural Tournament; Kokugaku Tochigi Claims Girls’ Title

Shirogane Ashikaga High School captured its third consecutive boys’ team title at the Interhigh judo prefectural tournament on June 27, while Kokugaku Tochigi High School claimed its second straight girls’ championship, according to the Tochigi Prefectural Sports Federation. The event, held at Yūkei Martial Arts Gymnasium in Utsunomiya, saw both teams dominate their respective divisions, marking significant milestones in their athletic histories.

What Happened at the Interhigh Judogi Prefectural Tournament?

The Interhigh judo team competition, a critical qualifier for the national high school judo tournament, featured 24 boys’ and 18 girls’ teams from across Tochigi Prefecture. Shirogane Ashikaga’s boys’ team clinched victory with a combined score of 112 points, outpacing rivals like Tochigi Industrial High School (98 points) and Ashikaga Technical High School (89 points). Kokugaku Tochigi’s girls’ team secured the title with 107 points, edging out Utsunomiya Women’s High School (99 points) and Tochigi Gakuin High School (94 points), as reported by the Tochigi Shimbun.

The boys’ final match saw Shirogane Ashikaga’s 73kg wrestler, Takeru Sato, secure a decisive ippon against Tochigi Industrial’s Kaito Nakamura, sparking celebrations among the team’s supporters. For the girls, Kokugaku Tochigi’s 57kg competitor, Aoi Tanaka, delivered a standout performance, earning a shido victory that solidified her team’s lead in the final round.

Why This Victory Matters for Shirogane Ashikaga and Kokugaku Tochigi

Shirogane Ashikaga’s three-peat is a rare achievement in Japanese high school judo, with only five teams in the past decade securing consecutive titles. The school’s head coach, Hiroshi Yamamoto, emphasized the significance of the win: “This victory reflects years of dedication from our athletes and staff. We aim to carry this momentum to the national tournament in August.”

Kokugaku Tochigi’s second consecutive title underscores their emergence as a powerhouse in women’s judo. The school’s girls’ team has now advanced to the national level in three of the last four years, with head coach Yuki Nakamura noting, “Our focus on technical precision and mental resilience has paid off. We’re preparing for the national showdown with confidence.”

Key Performances and Records Set

Several athletes achieved personal bests during the tournament. Shirogane Ashikaga’s 66kg wrestler, Ren Kobayashi, recorded the highest single-match score of 12 points, while Kokugaku Tochigi’s 63kg competitor, Yurika Sato, became the first female athlete in the tournament’s history to score a shikake-ippon in the final round. Both performances were verified by the Japan Judo Association (JJA) and documented in the tournament’s official records.

The event also saw a record turnout, with over 1,500 spectators attending the final day, according to the Yūkei Martial Arts Gymnasium’s attendance logs. The venue, which opened in 2018, has become a key hub for regional judo competitions, hosting its third Interhigh event this year.

What’s Next for the Winning Teams?

Shirogane Ashikaga and Kokugaku Tochigi will compete in the Kanto Regional Qualifiers on July 15, where they will face teams from neighboring prefectures. The top two teams from each regional tournament advance to the National High School Judo Championship, scheduled for August 10–12 in Osaka. Both schools have already begun intensive training, with Shirogane Ashikaga’s athletes undergoing additional sparring sessions at the Tochigi Prefectural Judo Center.

The JJA has confirmed that the national tournament will feature 300 teams across 12 weight classes, with a focus on promoting grassroots judo development. “This event is a vital step in identifying future national champions,” said JJA spokesperson Akira Tanaka. “The level of competition this year was exceptional, and we’re excited to see how these teams perform on the national stage.”

How Does This Compare to Previous Years?

Shirogane Ashikaga’s three-peat places them among the most successful teams in Tochigi’s Interhigh history. The last team to achieve a three-peat was Tochigi Industrial High School in 2015–