Risako Kawai advances to final in 57-kilogram division of women’s wrestling

Risako Kawai defeated Helen Louise Maroulis of the United States 2-1 in the semifinals of the women’s 57-kilogram division of freestyle wrestling on Wednesday at Makuhari Messe in Chiba.

The 26-year-old Kawai advanced to the final, thereby guaranteeing herself at least a silver medal.

A native of Ishikawa Prefecture, Kawai won a gold medal in the 63-kilogram division at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. She booked a spot at the 2019 World Championships by defeating four-time Olympic champion Kaori Icho in the 57-kilogram division in a Japan qualifier, and her ultimate victory at the world championships secured her place at the Tokyo Games.