Kikuchi, who achieved the wrestling club’s first-ever All-Japan Championships title (left: Kikuchi; right: Yuki Kato, who placed third in the Greco-Roman 77 kg category) (Photo: Wrestling Club)
The JOC Junior Olympic Cup All-Japan Wrestling Championships, organized by the Japan Wrestling Federation, were held on March 21–22 at Dome Tachikawa Tachihi (Tachikawa, Tokyo). KIKUCHI Issa, a third-year student in the School of Political Science and Economics, won the Greco-Roman 130 kg division in the U23 category.
Kikuchi advanced to the final after winning his semifinal match 3–1 on March 22. In the final, he secured a come-from-behind victory by fall with a score of 8–6, claiming the championship title. This marks the first-ever victory at the All-Japan Championships for the university’s wrestling club.
Comment from Issa Kikuchi
I am truly delighted that my victory at the All-Japan Championships marks the first such achievement for our wrestling club. I am deeply grateful to the faculty and staff of the School of Political Science and Economics for their support in my academic work, which allowed me to focus fully on my training.
In my daily practice, Coach Ninomiya provided rigorous guidance, and through activities such as community cleanups, I also learned the importance of social responsibility. Joint training sessions with the university’s American football team, as well as seeing alumni of our wrestling club succeed as mixed martial artists, were great sources of motivation and gave me strength heading into the competition. I am also sincerely thankful to Head Coach Mori for his support in many aspects.
At the World Championships to be held in Las Vegas this October, I will give my all and strive to repay this support through my performance.