Risako Kawai, 26, achieved the dream of "golds as sisters" on Thursday, when she won the gold medal in the women's 57-kilogram division of freestyle wrestling at the Tokyo Olympics, after her sister, Yukako, 23, won the gold in the 62-kilogram freestyle division the day before. The two have always stuck together, through hard times and happy times. This was a happy time.
-- Girlhood ambition
The day before, when Risako had watched from the spectator stands as Yukako won the gold medal, she thought, "I will follow in her footsteps." Then, in the final bout, Risako turned her sister's cheers into power.
The two had always shared the same goals. In elementary school marathons, the two promised each other that they would take first place together, and they did indeed finish first in their respective grades. In her graduation essay, Risako wrote, "Being able to keep my promise to my sister makes me happier than just winning first place for myself."
Each of them, after leaving their parents' home in Ishikawa Prefecture, went to Aichi Prefecture to enter Shigakukan High School and University, known for producing strong wrestlers. Their coaches had encouraged them with the motto, "Sisters in the Olympics together."
Risako ascended the Olympic podium first, winning in the women's 63-kilogram division of freestyle wrestling at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. (The weight divisions have changed slightly since then.) Since that day, the pair had set their sights on "golds for both" at the next Olympics in Tokyo.
--Showdown with Icho
But in December 2018, Risako was defeated by Kaoru Icho in an Olympic qualifying match. In the darkness of the venue, Risako cried onto her mother's chest. A few days later, she told her family, "I want to quit wrestling." Everyone in the world seemed to be on the side of Icho, who was aiming for her fifth consecutive Olympic victory.
Her family told her neither "go for it" nor "quit." Her mother, Hatsue, 51, only said: "Just one more time. Show me a Risako match."
After spending the year-end and New Year holidays without practicing, Risako returned to her base at Shigakukan University. Her juniors -- who were also her rivals for the Olympics -- were waiting to be her training partners.
"The promise that 'the sisters would win gold together' was also very important," said Risako.
"It's going to be tough, but I'll do my best again," Risako told her sister Yukako.
Six months later, she achieved consecutive wins against Icho and secured her spot at the Olympics.
The two sisters entered the Olympics together. Before a semifinal match against an especially strong opponent, Yukako encouraged Risako, saying: "Just do as you always do and you'll be fine. I'll be watching you all the way."
Risako had a realization: "I thought I had to pull her along because I was the older sister, but the truth is that Yukako is supporting me."
Risako stood on the final's mat with the feelings of many people -- her fellow-fighter sister, her always-supportive family, her training partners and the athletes with whom she has competed -- in her heart.
Immediately after her victory, Risako locked eyes with her sister in the audience and raised her hands up high.
"Yukako showed me a match like that [the day before], and I knew I had to do it. I've been working hard with a lot of feelings. This is a really good day, today."
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
