IJF: You are the current World Champion. What are the main challenges to become world champion again in 2018? Tonaki Funa: To win the battle against myself.
IJF: Who will be your toughest competitors and how do you prepare to face them? Tonaki Funa: Everyone in the draw at the World Championships is my rival. I prepare by making sure that I am on my best condition on the day of the competition.
IJF: Japanese athletes are among the top favorites competitors in all weight divisions. How do you cope with that extra pressure making you the woman to defeat? Tonaki Funa: To believe in myself by training more than anyone.
IJF: Which is your favourite value in Judo and why? Tonaki Funa: To throw. Throwing your opponent awes everyone.
IJF: What did you learn in judo? Tonaki Funa: “Jita-Kyoei” and “Seiryoku-Zenyo”. By practicing Judo, one learns the principles of respect - as well as the importance of feeling gratitude to others.
OTHER EXPRESS INTERVIEWS: • Shishime Ai (JPN) • Wolf Aaron (JPN) • Abe Ifumi (JPN) • Teddy Riner (FRA) • Takato Naohisa (JPN) • Mayra Aguiar (BRA) • Clarisse Agbegnenou (FRA) • Dorjsuren Sumiya (MGL) • Asahina Sarah (JPN) • Nemanja Majdov (SRB) • Marius Vizer (IJF President)