Akari FUJINAMI of Japan suffered her first-ever international loss and first overall after 155 wins against Il Sim SON of the DPR Korea in the 57kg semifinals at Asian Games 2026.
NAGOYA, Japan (October 3) -- Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) suffered her first loss in nine years and after 155 wins after world silver medalist Il Sim SON (PRK) pinned her in the 57kg semifinals at the Asian Games 2026.
Paris Olympic champion Fujinami, who moved up from 53kg to 57kg at the end of last year, came into the Asian Games as the favorite to win gold, like she had done at all other tournaments since 2017.
However, world silver medalist Son had other plans. She opened the semifinal against Fujinami with a takedowns and twice rolls her for a 6-0 lead at the break. Fujinami was in a similar situation in her opening bout but came back to win 15-4.
Son allowed no such comeback, first stopping Fujinami from getting in any position to attack. A desperate Fujinami even attempted a rare duck under which Son successfully defended.
Fujinami perhaps struggling physically, gave up two barrel rolls and Son stuck her on the mat after the second one to lead 10-0 before getting the pin.
The fall, and the fall of Fujinami, came at 3:52.