Risako Kawai
Two Olympic golds and a sister act in Tokyo
- Born
- November 21, 1994, Tsubata, Ishikawa, Japan
- Nationality
Japan- Height
- 160 cm (5′3″)
- Weight
- 57 kg, 59 kg, 60 kg, 63 kg
- Active
- 2014–2025
- Status
- Retired · age 31
The medals
2 Olympic golds, 4 world titles
The story
isako Kawai won Olympic gold at two different weights and shared her second with her family. The Ishikawa native took the 63 kg title in Rio in 2016, then won three straight world titles from 2017 to 2019 at 60, 59 and 57 kg, beating Kaori Icho twice in 2019 to earn Japan's spot. At the Tokyo Olympics she beat Helen Maroulis in the semifinal and won 57 kg gold a day after her younger sister Yukako won at 62 kg. Competing under her married name, Kinjo, she rallied late to win a 2024 selection playoff with a single-leg lift to back exposure, then won a fourth world title that October. She retired in October 2025, aged 31.
Tap a technique with an arrow to learn how it works.
- Olympic champion (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020)
- World champion ×4 (2017, 2018, 2019, 2024)
- World silver medalist (2015)
- Asian champion ×4
Defining matches
- 2016WINvs Maryia Mamashuk (Rio Olympic final, 63 kg)
- 2019WINvs Kaori Icho (twice, to make Japan's world team)
- 2021WINvs Helen Maroulis (Tokyo 2020 Olympic semifinal)
- 2024WINvs Tserenchimed Sukhee (World final at 59 kg, 4-2)
Finish singles for exposure, not just two points: with 15 seconds left in a 2024 playoff, Kinjo got in on a single, lifted the leg and exposed her opponent's back. Drill lifting the single high and driving across so the finish turns them.
1984–1992
