Exclusive Interview: Olympic Champion Discusses Legacy and Future

In this exclusive interview, we sit down with one of judo's most accomplished athletes to discuss his remarkable career, training philosophy, and thoughts on the sport's future.

Ippon Daily: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us. Looking back at your Olympic gold medal, what does that achievement mean to you now?

Champion: The gold medal was a lifetime dream realized, but what means more to me now is the journey that got me there. The thousands of hours of training, the setbacks, the small victories along the way—those experiences shaped who I am.

ID: Your technique is renowned for its precision. How do you approach technical development?

C: I believe in mastering the basics. Even now, I spend significant time on fundamental techniques. You cannot build a house on a weak foundation. Every training session includes basic uchi-komi, no matter what else we're working on.

ID: What advice would you give to young judoka dreaming of Olympic success?

C: Three things:

1. Love the process - If you only focus on medals, you'll burn out. Love the daily training, the small improvements, the feeling of being on the tatami.

2. Embrace failure - I've lost many more matches than I've won. Each loss taught me something valuable.

3. Find good training partners - You can only go as far as the people around you push you.

ID: How has judo changed since you began competing internationally?

C: The sport has become faster and more athletic. Strength and conditioning are more important than ever. But the fundamental principles remain the same—maximum efficiency, minimum effort. Technology has also changed how we prepare, with video analysis playing a huge role.

ID: What are your plans for the future?

C: I'm still competing and aiming for more success on the mat. After my competitive career, I want to give back through coaching. Developing the next generation of champions would be the ultimate way to honor what judo has given me.

ID: Finally, what does judo mean to you beyond competition?

C: Judo is a way of life. The principles—mutual welfare and benefit, maximum efficiency—apply to everything. How you conduct yourself on the mat reflects how you should conduct yourself in life. I'm grateful every day that I found this path.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.