A Historic Sparring Session
The session took place during the filming of the TBS television program “BREAK ~一流が迫る、アスリートの真実~” (BREAK ~The Truth Pursued by the Elite~), which aired late Saturday night in Japan. Susaki, a 27-year-old wrestler with the KITZ corporation, welcomed Kakuoka, a 31-year-old judoka, to her training facility for a face-to-face physical confrontation.
Susaki won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and earned medals at two consecutive Olympics, and is a five-time world champion. Kakuoka became the oldest Japanese woman to win an Olympic judo gold medal at age 31. Both are considered the leaders in their sports’ lightest weight categories.
Instead of a simple conversation, the two athletes chose to test each other’s skills through sparring, a method of direct physical engagement used to evaluate technique and strategy in combat sports.
Bridging Two Disciplines
Although both judo and wrestling are grappling disciplines, they are contested on different surfaces—the tatami mat for judo and a wrestling mat—and have evolved distinct technical philosophies. During their sparring session, the athletes were able to physically experience the nuanced differences that arise from their different training grounds and rule sets.
Despite these differences, a common thread emerged.
“When the moment comes to attack, her speed to go for the techniques is incredibly fast,” Kakuoka observed. “It’s the same in judo. The most important thing isn’t the throwing moment itself, but the tactical maneuvering that happens while you’re in the clinch.”
The “Ultimate Battles”
Following the sparring session, the two champions sat down to discuss what each considers their “ultimate battle,” sharing the thoughts and feelings that run through their minds during the decisive moments of a competition. They reflected on the specific moments of victory and the mental fortitude required to succeed at the highest level.
FAQ
Q: Who are Yui Susaki and Natsumi Kakuoka?
A: Yui Susaki is a 27-year-old wrestler with five world titles. Natsumi Kakuoka is a 31-year-old Olympic judo gold medalist, making her the oldest Japanese woman to win an Olympic judo title.
Q: What did they do together?
A: They participated in a sparring session for a Japanese TV show, a rare physical exchange between champions from two different combat sports.
Q: What did Kakuoka say about Susaki’s style?
A: Kakuoka noted that Susaki’s attack speed is “incredibly fast” and drew a parallel to judo, emphasizing that the most crucial aspect is the tactical maneuvering within a clinch.
Q: What is “BREAK~一流が迫る、アスリートの真実~”?
A: It is a late-night television program on TBS in Japan that features deep dives into the realities and truths of elite athletes.
