ASTANA - Japan's Yui Susaki won her fifth title at the wrestling world championships on Wednesday, dominating the 50-kilogram division without conceding a point for her first title at the tournament since 2023.
The 27-year-old, who won gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and bronze in Paris in 2024, led 5-0 before downing Neelam Sirohi of India by fall in 75 seconds in the final in Astana, adding to her triumph at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games earlier this month.
"I've been really intent on becoming the world champion for the fifth time. I'm really happy," said Susaki, who won the tournament for the first time in 2017 in 48 kg.
Susaki stormed her way through in her five bouts over two days, capping things off by producing a sharp tackle to the left foot of her opponent in the final before getting behind her en route to the title-clinching win on Wednesday.
After a failed title defense at the Paris Games, Susaki has gone over her diet to adjust her weight better. She also found no trouble getting herself into peak condition for the worlds thanks to a short turnaround from the Asian Games.
"I've been wrestling while paying attention to the tiniest of details and everything is starting to fall into place," she said. "I can get so much stronger."
Japan's Sena Nagamoto won silver in the women's 57 kg, while Nana Ikehata won bronze in the non-Olympic 65 kg.
