Jōtarō Fukuda and Yuka Kimura secure top 8 at collegiate championship

Fukuda Upsets Defending Champion in Men’s 73-Kilogram Division

Freshman Jotaro Fukuda mounted a deep run in the men's 73-kilogram division at the national tournament held on September 26 and 27. Spotting a momentary lapse in balance while Obata executed a technique, Fukuda capitalized instantly with a sharp kouchi-gari for ippon, pulling off a major upset against the reigning titleholder.

Having dropped previous encounters during their high school careers, Fukuda secured a measure of redemption by defeating his classmate with a clean uchimata to punch his ticket to the quarterfinals. Despite the defeat, the first-year competitor secured an eighth-place finish and a coveted qualification spot for the national tournament.

Kimura Fights Through Overtime to Claim Quarterfinal Berth in Women’s 63-Kilogram Class

In the women’s 63-kilogram category, junior Yuka Kimura battled through adversity to secure her own spot among the tournament’s top eight judoka. Kimura opened her campaign with a sharp victory, defending an early yukoku advantage secured just 17 seconds into her first match. She followed up with a dominant second-round performance, chalking up three scores before pinning her opponent for an ippon victory.

The third round demanded immediate resilience after Kimura conceded an early yukoku score. Reacting to the deficit with heightened urgency, Kimura turned the tide using precise foot techniques to level the score and force an extra period. Responding directly to tactical cues from women’s team coach Seiji Nishida to maintain a high tempo, Kimura kept up the offensive pressure through an exhausting overtime session until victory was secured. Though she fell in the quarterfinals, her eighth-place finish earned her a berth at the upcoming Kodokan Cup.

Waseda Athletes Prepare for Kodokan Cup and National Trials

Waseda’s broader delegation posted competitive results across multiple weight classes during the two-day collegiate championship. In the men’s 73-kilogram category, vice-captain Kenshin Minami battled into the round of 16. In the women’s 70-kilogram division, sophomore Yunagi Agatsuma matched that result, also advancing to the round of 16.

With the individual collegiate season concluded, Fukuda and Kimura turn their competitive focus toward the Kodokan Cup, scheduled for November 7 and 8 at the Chiba Port Arena. Meanwhile, the rest of the Waseda judo squad prepares for the All-Japan Student Weight Class Team Championship in Amagasaki on October 24 and 25. For Waseda’s fourth-year seniors, the upcoming team tournament marks the final official competition of their collegiate judo careers.