At the All-Hokkaido Junior High School Judo Tournament, Rio Kiso of the Kamikawa region’s Kitayūkai Dōjō claimed the individual women’s over-70kg championship, securing a dominant double crown after already capturing the team title.
Dominant Run to the Over-70kg Title
Rio Kiso established her authority on the mat through clinical ground techniques, executing precise ne-waza sequences that dismantled her opponents throughout the bracket. Representing the Kitayūkai Dōjō out of the Kamikawa subprefecture, Kiso carried the momentum from her team competition success straight into the individual tournament.
According to local sports reporting from the Hokkaido Shimbun, Kiso’s ability to transition smoothly from standing throws into suffocating hold-downs proved decisive in the later rounds. Rather than relying solely on high-amplitude throws, she neutralized larger opponents by taking the bout to the tatami and working methodically for pins and submissions.
Securing the Double Crown for Kitayūkai Dōjō
The individual over-70kg gold medal capped a demanding schedule for Kiso, who anchored the Kitayūkai Dōjō lineup earlier in the program to win the team competition. Dual victories in both team and individual brackets highlight a rare level of conditioning and tactical discipline at the junior high school level.
Coaches noted that managing fatigue across multiple matches required strict adherence to pacing and energy conservation. By establishing early control in the ne-waza exchanges, Kiso minimized prolonged standing battles that drain physical reserves during an intense provincial tournament day.
Broader Context of the Provincial Championships
The All-Hokkaido Junior High School Judo Tournament serves as a critical showcase for top regional talent, drawing the prefecture’s most promising martial artists to test their training against elite peers. Performances at this level frequently shape the competitive landscape for upcoming national junior championships.
As Kiso transitions past her junior high campaign, her provincial sweep places her among the notable athletes to watch within Hokkaido’s youth martial arts community. Kitayūkai Dōjō continues to build on a strong tradition of developing foundational ne-waza mastery and competitive poise among its young competitors.
