Para judoka Shizuka Hannya secured the first gold medal for the Japanese delegation at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games, triumphing in the women’s 52kg division at the Aichi Prefectural Budokan on October 19, 2026. According to coverage from Parasapo, Hannya adapted to new competition regulations and overcame past silver-medal frustration to win her first gold medal at the multi-sport event.
A Sixteen-Year Climb to the Top of the Podium
Competing on the opening day of judo events, Hannya stepped onto the tatami backed by a packed crowd in Aichi Prefecture. Her victory marked the culmination of a 16-year pursuit that began at the 2010 Asian Para Games in Guangzhou, where she recalled being the sole member of a nine-athlete Japanese delegation to return home without a medal. Across her career, she has appeared in three consecutive Paralympic Games, placing seventh in London 2012 and fifth in both Rio and Tokyo. Ahead of the Paris Games, international governing bodies restructured the sport’s regulations, dividing athletes into J1 (totally blind) and J2 (visually impaired) classifications while reorganizing weight classes. Parasapo reported that Hannya transitioned to the J1 category, where she earned a silver medal in the 48kg division in Paris before shifting up to the 52kg weight class for the Aichi-Nagoya tournament.
Hannya Wins Gold with Ippon-Seoinage Throw
Hannya fought through three roughly four-minute matches to claim the gold. In her opening bout, she turned an opponent who had dropped to a defensive belly-down position and secured a hold-down victory by yoko-shiho-gatame. In the semifinals against a physically stronger opponent who scored first, Hannya executed her signature ippon-seoinage (one-arm shoulder throw) for a waza-ari with approximately 20 seconds remaining on the clock. In the final against her Mongolian opponent, Hannya fell behind after conceding an early yuko score. Parasapo noted that after receiving encouragement from her coach on the restart line to maintain confidence, Hannya rallied with another successful ippon-seoinage to overturn the deficit and fend off her opponent’s desperate final attacks.
Finding the Path of Least Resistance
Describing her tactical approach during the matches, Hannya explained that she focused on locating what she termed the “path of force.” Against heavier opponents, she monitored the pressure of their gripping hands, waiting for a momentary lapse in the defensive structure to step in. For the final match against a competitor who adopted a deep defensive posture, she drew an analogy to basketball. She compared her movement to a dribbler waiting for the ball to rise, using downward pressure to set up her entry into the throw. To prepare for the physical demands of the 52kg class, Hannya added body-manipulation exercises focused on flexibility and suppleness to her training regimen, aiming to develop skill-based techniques rather than relying purely on raw strength.
Celebrating a Milestone with Supporters and Looking Ahead
Following her victory, Hannya immediately headed to the spectator stands to celebrate with her family, friends, and coworkers. Reflecting on her 25-year judo career that began when she was 13 years old, she expressed gratitude to her parents and described the gold medal as proof that her years of dedication were worthwhile. On the following day, she participated in a medalists’ press conference after receiving a congratulatory phone call from the mayor of Iwaki. The Japanese delegation’s strong start in Aichi also featured a gold medal by Para cyclist Shota Kawamoto, contributing to a record 64 gold medals and 186 total medals for the delegation across the games.
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