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Who is Naohisa Takato?
Naohisa Takato, a Japanese judoka, is one of the players who has outperformed his peers. Similarly, with Naohisa Takato’s triumph in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the athlete has lived up to his expectations. He is currently the world’s top judoka in the extra-lightweight division.
Takato has established himself as one of the sport’s most renowned fighters, having won the 2013 World Championships.
Likewise, he won the 2013 Masters in Tyumen, as well as the coveted Grand Slams in Paris, Moscow, and Tokyo.
With these accomplishments, he was ranked No. 2 in the world in 2013 and 2014.
Naohisa Takato | Childhood and Early Life
Naohisa Takato, a 29-year-old Judoka champion, was born on May 30, 1993.
Similarly, he was born in Hasuda, Saitama, Japan to his mother Etsuko Takato, and father Takato.
He first became interested in judo when he was seven years old.
Similarly, he joined the Nogi-machi judo club when he was in elementary school.
He competed in many judo events, honing his abilities and potential.
Similarly, he won weight divisions throughout elementary and middle school.
Takato attended Sagami junior high and high school, where he participated in many tournaments on behalf of his school.
Likewise, he won multiple national titles as well as the global cadent championships.
To complete his studies, he enrolled in Tokai University in 2012 and graduated in 2016.
Naohisa Takato | Work
Naohisa Takata, a Japanese judoka, made his international debut in the Under 17 World Championship in Budapest.
There, he won the gold medal for his efforts.
Similarly, Takata made a significant presence in the 2012 and 2013 seasons by winning gold in seven international tournaments.
Furthermore, despite losing in the World Championship in Chelyabinsk, he finished undefeated with a bronze medal.
Similarly, Takata improved his game in 2015, winning gold medals at two grand slams and a world master.
The Grand Slam defeat in 2016 Tokyo
Naohisa Takato won the championship for Japan at the 2016 Olympics.
However, he was defeated and was unable to take the crown.
Furthermore, the 2016 Grand Slam Tokyo was his first tournament following the Olympics.
He faced Bulgarian Yanislav Gerchev in his first battle at the tournament.
He defeated his opponent with some tsurikomi goshi, scoring yuko and waza-ari with the talent.
Similarly, in the second game, he faced Korea’s Choi In Hyuk in a tie.
Despite not earning enough points, Takato advanced to the semi-finals thanks to Choi’s two penalties.
Finally, in the final championship, he met Ryuji Nagayama in an all-Japan match.
Both players were trained by Minoru Konegawa and ranked far apart in the world rankings.
Furthermore, Naohisa Takato attempted to fight new throughout the encounter, but Nagayama’s resistance was as solid as an iron wall.
Furthermore, at the end of the match, Takato did Rashi guruma but was unable to break through the defense, leaving him in a disadvantageous position.
Nagayama used Uchi mata to toss Takato for ippon with the upper hand.
Despite the loss, he accepted the silver medal and congratulated Nagayama.
The Grand Slam triumph in 2017 Paris
Naohisa Takato began his 2017 season by competing in the 2017 Grand Slam in Paris.
Similarly, this was the first tournament where he would practice with the updated judo regulations.
His opponent in the first fight was local Vincent Manquest, who scored a waza-ari with seoi nage.
He won the highest score after ending the fight, with kesa-gatame propelling him to round 3.
He faced Georgia’s Amiran Papinashvili in the quarter-finals for 40 seconds before throwing him for ippon with Kochi gari.
Later, he faced Azerbaijan’s Orkhana Safarov, the only player to throw Takato for a Toyota gari score.
Despite the blow, Takato scored two Waza-ari with Kochi gari and eventually scored ippon, advancing to the final.
Naohisa Takato won the final with waza-ari with Kochi gari and another new ippon with Ushiro Yoko Shiho game.
This was his third triumph in Paris, following victories in 2013 and 2015.
With such accomplishments, he was ranked one in the globe and won an all-ippon competition.
Coach Naohisa Takato and Fight Style
Takato began Judo training at the Nogi Machi Judo facility when he was seven years old, and he is now one of Japan’s most promising and prosperous sportsmen.
Similarly, he is a member of Japan’s judo squad and practices under the tutelage of Kosei Inoue, a renowned Japanese legend and Judoka.
Takato approaches fighting in a modern method rather than traditional Japanese judo. Furthermore, the kata guruma is one of his favorite techniques.
Similarly, as a drop kata guruma specialist, his technical and physical fighting style has become synonymous in the judo industry.
Naohisa Takato brings home Japan’s first gold medal from the Tokyo Olympics
Naohisa Takato won his first Olympic gold medal on Saturday, July 24, 2021, after defeating Taiwan’s Yang Yung Wei.
Takato triumphed in the men’s judo under 60 kg final. Furthermore, this was Japan’s first gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics.
Similarly, Funa Tonaki, a Japanese female judoka, won silver in the women’s under-48 kg category, giving Japan its first game medal.
Both athletes stormed the judo field and attained the highest ground!
Noahisa Takato at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Naohisa Takato after winning the 60-kg final in Tokyo.
“I was able to win Japan’s first one.”
I’m delighted I was able to inspire the Japanese team by winning the first gold medal.” Takato stated.
Takato won with ippon in the Golden Score extra period following Yang’s penalty call.
Despite his defeat, Yang received a silver medal, giving him Taiwan’s first Olympic judo medalist.
There were no admirers present to celebrate with him because of the current COVID-19 limitations; but, his family and people all throughout the country were happy and in great spirits with the feat.
Takato’s triumph is Japan’s fifth under-60 gold medal, breaking the previous record.
Similarly, the powerhouse Japanese judo squad, dubbed Godzilla Japan, is brimming with resolve and expectation to win a gold or silver medal at the Tokyo Games.
Net Worth of Naohisa Takato
Naoshia Takato, the Olympic champion, has a net worth of between $1 and $5 million.
Furthermore, as a professional athlete, his net worth is primarily derived from participation and victory in tournaments and sponsorships.
Similarly, Takato’s net has grown dramatically after winning a gold medal in the Olympics.
Personal Life of Naohisa Takato
Naohisa Takato, the three-time world champion, has not revealed any details about his personal life.
There isn’t much information available regarding Takato’s family or relations.
Naohisa Takato married in 2014, according to certain sources.
His wife later gave birth to a son the following year.
The couple is also the proud parents of a lovely daughter.
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Social Media | Naohisa Takato
Naohisa Takato, the Olympic champion, is active on social media platforms such as Instagram and Twitter.
The champion is seen in the video updating his followers on the recent Tokyo games.
Similarly, he updates his everyday life activities, and there are many adorable images of his pet dog.
The champion is also a big fan of the anime ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba,’ according to his Instagram.
The athlete’s Instagram feed is filled with drawings of anime characters.
Click below to follow him and learn more about Naohisa Takato outside of the mat.
Instagram has 71.7k followers and 699 followers.
Twitter has 16.9k followers and 362 followers.
