In the women’s 63-kilogram judo individual competition, Fukae of Nagasaki Meisei High School captured the silver medal after advancing through the bracket as an unseeded competitor.
An Unseeded Run Powered by Traditional Ne-waza
Competing at the Wakayama Big Whale in Wakayama City, Fukae carved a path to the final using the disciplined ground techniques—known as ne-waza—cultivated at her high school. According to news.jp, she fought through five matches prior to the final entirely by securing victories on the ground.
“I could focus and enjoy it match by match,” Fukae said after the tournament, reflecting on her performance with a calm expression. “The result is frustrating, but I gave it everything I had from my training. I’m glad I came to Meisei.”
Her coach, Maeda, praised the runner-up’s march through the tournament, noting that her specialization and mastery of a single tactical approach drove her success.
Overcoming Injury and Rebuilding Momentum
During her freshman year in March, Fukae entered fifth place in the team competition at the National High School Championships. Just a month later, however, she suffered a torn left anterior cruciate ligament.
Despite the setback, she spent months focusing on strength training and rehabilitation. She returned to full competition in January, quickly capturing a fifth-place finish at the spring national championships for her first individual national placement.
Entering the summer tournament with sights set on becoming Japan’s best, Fukae faced a test in the third round against the same opponent who had defeated her at the Kyushu tournament in June. She turned the tables by utilizing her ground game to secure an ippon victory, igniting a winning streak that carried her to the championship match.
The Championship Climax and Future Ambitions
In the final, Fukae faced the same opponent who had defeated her earlier at the national championships. Trailing in the closing seconds, she launched a ne-waza attempt to overturn the deficit, but fell just short.
“The more you practice, the stronger you steadily become, and you can finish opponents even when they study your moves,” Fukae said of the repetition training that built her technical foundation. Her sights remain fixed on becoming Japan’s best.
