On Thursday, October 5th, 2023, the USA’s Judo team experienced a bittersweet moment. One of USA’s prominent Judoka made it to the finals while etching his name in the annals of the history of Judo sport. The former bronze medalist registered his name with two Junior World Championship medals the moment he qualified for finals.?
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He became the hope for millions of Americans after thirty years of drought in the Junior World championships. However, he needed help to keep up with the expectations for gold in the championship. As he lost the final match, he secured the second rank in the championship. Despite being defeated in the final battle, USA’s Judoka has much more to say about the final battle.?
What does enjoying a sport feel like?
The real meaning of sport is somewhere hidden along the lines. With evolution, the meaning of sport is changed from enjoying to winning. Most of the athletes play their sport just for the sake of medals. However, the mindset of 20-year-old Jack Yonezuka is quite different. It was visible in the last showdown, the finals of the Junior World Championship, where the ippon master lost the match in the finals.
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Although he lost the final battle, what he appreciated and felt great about was playing sports and making it to the finals. In an exclusive interview with JudoTv.com, Jack Yonezuka said, “?It felt amazing. Last year I won a bronze medal, but it was a different feeling being in the finals. “
The exhilaration that Jack felt as he played the finals was visible on his face. As he said in the same interview, “Like as you saw on the mat, I like broke down and started crying. I was so happy….As you said, it is not the result I wanted but I’m still super proud of myself. Vice Junior world champion now so proud of myself “.?
Jack’s Way Ahead in Judo
Indeed, Jack seems to have failed to accomplish the goal of clinching gold in the Junior World Championship. However, the confidence and experience he has built while playing in the championship is something he will carry for the rest of his life. His unwavering determination and perseverance conclude that he is far away from the ending.?
Instead, he has the potential to take the USA’s judo team to another level. As witnessed in his recent matches, at a mere age of 20 years, he has managed to rewrite the historical record of USA’s Judo. This year, he has been ranked at the third position globally with a season of senior tour and senior world championship appearances. In addition, he would aim for the Olympics and senior world championships for Team USA in the future.?
Overall, Jack Yonezuka, son of ex-Olymian Nick Yonezuka, has learned a good lesson from his father. At a young age, he learned about the ways to overcome defeat in championships while keeping up with the hope of making redemption next year. Thus, Jack is an inspiration for the upcoming Judo generation. But Will Jack make a comeback next year?
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Written by
Edited by
Bhujaya Ray Chowdhury