Seiko Watanabe, the police officer and reigning Empress’s Cup champion, was eliminated in the second round of the women’s 63-kilogram division at the Kodokan Cup All-Japan Judo Championships in Chiba on November 7. Watanabe, who rose to national prominence earlier this year, lost by ippon to Hiyori Yoshida of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance after one minute and six seconds of action.
Defeat at Chiba-Gin Arena
The match turned quickly when Yoshida executed an uchi-mata for a waza-ari.
Watanabe Pursues Olympic Spot After Winning National Title
Watanabe earned the nickname “Superwoman Seiko” for her impressive physical training regimen, which includes a 165-kilogram squat and an 85-kilogram bench press. Her victory at the Empress’s Cup in April was her first major national title, establishing her as a contender for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic team. However, she faces significant competition in the 63-kilogram weight class, most notably from Haruka Kacho, the reigning division champion and October world championship representative.
Sibling Exit in Early Rounds
The tournament also featured Watanabe’s younger sister, Aiko, who competed in the women’s 48-kilogram division. The sisters had hoped to share a podium, but Aiko was also eliminated in the second round. Both siblings left the competition in tears after their respective losses.
Road to the 2028 Los Angeles Games
The path to the 2028 Olympic roster remains highly competitive. Under current selection criteria, the primary contenders for the single Olympic berth per weight class are those who competed in the October Baku World Judo Championships. Participants in the Kodokan Cup are generally positioned as second or third-tier candidates in the selection hierarchy.
To remain in contention for the 2027 World Championships and subsequent Olympic selection, athletes must secure strong results at the Grand Slam Tokyo in December. Failure to advance through the Kodokan Cup places significant pressure on future performances, as the selection process relies heavily on results achieved by the end of the year.
Tournament Outlook
Watanabe’s next opportunity to improve her standing will depend on her performance in upcoming national selection events leading into the 2027 season. The selection committee for the 2027 World Championships will consider results from the All-Japan Selected Judo Championships in the spring, but the performance window leading through the December Grand Slam Tokyo remains the most critical metric for current national team prospects.
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