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.
"My opponent was really strong, and I was just weak," Fujinami said. "I'm still not strong enough. I will definitely get stronger. I want to win by continuing to wrestle in my own style."
Jamalov Drops 2 Bouts
Fujinami was not the only Paris Olympic champion to fall in the Nagoya on Saturday. Razambek JAMALOV (UZB), the gold winner in Paris at 74kg, lost his opening bout against 2022 Asian Games champion Yones EMAMI (IRI), 7-6.
Emami led 3-2 at the break but a scramble in the second period resulted in Jamalov taking the lead. He managed to turn Emami to extend his lead to 6-5. Emami kept his cool and scored a takedown even as Jamalov tried a hip-toss and went on to defend the 7-6 lead.
As Emami reached the final, Jamalov returned in the repechage match against Sagar JAGLAN (IND) and held his fort for a few minutes. However, Sagar got a takedown and turn in the final 20 seconds to beat Jamalov 7-3. Jamalov will return home empty-handed.
At 97kg, Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) managed to beat Arash YOSHIDA (JPN), 4-3, in the semifinals. He held on to his 4-1 lead till the final moments and allowed Yoshida to score a takedown only in the final 10 seconds.
He will face former U20 world champion Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) for the gold medal after the Uzbekistan wrestler defeated Deepak PUNIA (IND), 9-8.
At 57kg, AMAN (IND) stormed into the final and will face world champion Chongsong HAN (PRK).