Akari Fujinami Loses After 155 Wins at Asian Games
Akari Fujinami Suffers First Loss After 155 Wins at Asian Games 2026
Akari Fujinami has finally suffered defeat after an incredible run of 155 consecutive wins. The Japanese Olympic champion was beaten by North Korea’s Il Sim Son in the women’s 57kg semifinal at the Asian Games 2026.
The defeat ended Fujinami’s nine-year unbeaten run. Son won by fall at 3:52 after taking a 10-0 lead, ending one of the most remarkable winning streaks in modern wrestling.
Akari Fujinami’s 155-Win Streak Ends
Akari Fujinami entered the Asian Games as one of the biggest favourites for the gold medal. She had not lost since 2017 and had won every tournament she entered during that extraordinary period.
The Paris Olympic champion had also moved from 53kg to 57kg late last year. Her move to the new weight class added another challenge to her already impressive wrestling career.
Fujinami Faces Il Sim Son in the 57kg Semifinal
Il Sim Son had already established herself as a major threat in the 57kg division. The North Korean wrestler is a world silver medallist and entered the semifinal with the tools to challenge Fujinami.
Son started aggressively and quickly put Fujinami under pressure. Two rolls helped Son build a 6-0 advantage by the end of the first period.
Il Sim Son Controls the Wrestling Match
Fujinami had already shown earlier in the Asian Games that she could recover from a difficult start. In her opening bout, she came from behind to defeat Mongolia’s Khulan Batkhyuyag 16-5.
Against Son, however, there was no similar comeback. Son prevented Fujinami from finding her usual attacking positions and controlled the match from the start.
Son Extends Her Lead
Fujinami attempted a rare duck-under move in an effort to change the momentum. Son defended the attack and continued to put pressure on the Japanese wrestler.
Son then scored two more barrel rolls to move ahead 10-0. She followed that sequence by pinning Fujinami, ending the semifinal at 3:52.
A Historic Fujinami Loss
The Fujinami loss was her first international defeat and her first overall loss since 2017. Her previous defeat came at the National Junior High School Championships in Japan.
Since that setback, Fujinami had built an extraordinary record. She went on to become an Olympic champion and a two-time world champion while putting together 155 straight victories.
From 2017 Defeat to 155 Wins
The story of Akari Fujinami makes the latest result even more remarkable. Her previous loss came in a 44kg final in June 2017, when she was still a junior wrestler.
That defeat became a turning point in her career. Nine years later, she arrived at the Asian Games as one of the most dominant names in women’s wrestling.
Fujinami’s Move to 57kg
The 57kg division represents a new stage in Fujinami’s career. She had established herself as a dominant 53kg wrestler before moving up in weight.
The Asian Games provided one of her biggest tests at 57kg. Her defeat to Son shows how challenging the new division can be, even for an Olympic champion.
A New Challenge in Women’s Wrestling
Fujinami’s strength and attacking style have been central to her success. At the Asian Games, however, Son successfully stopped her from creating the positions she normally uses to score.
That tactical battle became one of the key reasons behind the surprising result. Son remained composed while Fujinami struggled to find an answer.
What Comes Next for Akari Fujinami?
The end of the 155-win streak does not diminish what Fujinami achieved over the previous nine years. Her record remains one of the most impressive runs in international wrestling.
Fujinami also made it clear that she wants to improve. After the defeat, she acknowledged Son’s strength and said she would work to become stronger while continuing to wrestle in her own style.
Fujinami Looks to Bounce Back
For Akari Fujinami, the defeat could become the beginning of another chapter rather than the end of her dominance. She has already shown how a loss can motivate her career.
Her next challenge will be adapting further to the 57kg category. With major international events still ahead, Fujinami will have opportunities to rebuild her winning momentum.
Asian Games 2026 Wrestling Produces a Major Upset
The Asian Games 2026 wrestling competition produced another major surprise on the same day. Paris Olympic champion Razambek Jamalov also suffered two defeats in the men’s 74kg competition.
Jamalov lost to Iran’s Yones Emami in his opening bout before India’s Sagar Jaglan defeated him in the repechage. Like Fujinami, the Olympic champion left the competition without a medal.
The defeat of Akari Fujinami marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in women’s wrestling. After 155 straight victories, the Japanese star finally lost when Il Sim Son pinned her in the Asian Games 57kg semifinal.
The result ends a nine-year unbeaten run but does not erase Fujinami’s incredible achievements. Now competing at 57kg, she has a fresh challenge ahead and another opportunity to show why she remains one of the biggest names in wrestling.
