“Takato was always there, especially in Japan. We had to earn qualification and so I always regretted not being able to.”
On day one of the OTP Bank World Judo Championships Hungary, it was Ryuju Nagayama who held the spot as favourite. Takato bowed out of the race after the 2023 Tokyo Grand Slam and although there are many great Japanese judoka at -60 kg, Nagayama is the current number one.
“At that grand slam in Tokyo I qualified for the Paris Games and at the moment I felt it was time for me to lead the lightweight category. This time, in Budapest, it was only me in the category and before I always had other Japanese in team with me. It’s very difficult to win in Japan among the lightweights.” But Nagayama made it! “Today I wasn’t in my best condition but I’m happy with the results.”
Getting the result is one thing, being at one’s best is another. Everyone loves to throw for ippon, to dominate, but it isn’t always possible even for the best in the world. In Budapest Nagayama says he wasn’t at his best but the result came. In Paris the result was not what he wanted.
“After the Paris Olympics, I practised to be able to do my best at each competition, especially in kumi-kata. Today I couldn’t do it so well and I regret not showing my best but it means I have more room to grow. So, I will do better.”
Nagayama then offered a perfect message to any young judoka wanting to follow in the footsteps of the elite, “It’s a very difficult way, to get gold at the Olympics or world championships, so don’t forget to enjoy judo!”
