BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (August 20) -- Sakura ONISHI (JPN) has won 13 bouts at three U20 World Championships, outscoring her opponents 136-4. She gave up zero points during her runs to the gold medal at 59kg in the previous two U20 Worlds and the 13 wins have all been via fall or technical superiority.
Onishi's wins:
2024: 10-0, 10-0, 10-0, 10-0
2025: 10-0, 10-0, 10-0, 10-0
2026: 11-0, 13-2, 10-0, 10-0, 12-2
With such numbers, Onishi claimed her third U20 world title in Bratislava on Thursday, winning gold medal at 62kg after beating former U17 world champion SAVITA (IND).
Sakura ONISHI (JPN) became a three-time U20 world champion in Bratislava. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)
Onishi, who won the senior world title in 2025 at 59kg, raced to a 6-0 lead in the 62kg final but slowed down a little in the second period, allowing Savita to score a takedown. However, there was no trouble from there on as she completed a 12-2, her fifth technical superiority win in the tournament.
"I’m absolutely thrilled. Since this is my third victory, the feeling is one of relief," Onishi said. "This is just a stepping stone toward the [2028] Los Angeles Olympics, so I want to keep pushing forward."
Onishi won her first gold medal in Pontevedra, Spain at 59kg before repeating in Samakov, Bulgaria without giving a single point in the two competitions. But she moved up to 62kg for this year making the edition special as it was an Olympic weight class. Her record of not conceding was broken in Bratislava but Onishi was relieved about it.
"This time, I was competing while carrying the weight of various factors, like injuries and pressure, so the joy is doubled," she said. "UWW highlighted my 'zero-point' [given] record, but actually conceding points turned out to be the moment the tension lifted for me. I was able to let go of worrying about the record and just focus on doing what I needed to do."
Sakura ONISHI (JPN) celebrates after beating SAVITA (IND) and winning the gold medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)
With the U17, U20 and senior world titles already won, Onishi inclined towards competing at the U23 World Championships as well to complete the Grand Slam of wrestling by winning all world titles. If she can win the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic gold medal, she will be fourth wrestler in the world to achieve the 'Golden Grand Slam.'
"I’ll be eligible to compete in the U23 category starting next year, I definitely want to win there," she said. "Beyond that, I aim to win the 62kg division and ultimately take home gold at the Los Angeles Olympics."
But to reach the LA Olympics, Onishi will need to beat the likes of Olympic champion Sakura MOTOKI (JPN), world champion Nonoka OZAKI (JPN), who defeated Onishi this year, and others.
"After moving up to the 62kg weight class, I gradually improved," she said. "Of course, there are truly top-tier athletes like Ozaki and Motoki. However, I realize that it is precisely because they are there that I am able to succeed on the world stage, and I am determined to surpass them."
