Japan’s Greco-Roman Wrestling Team for 2025 World Championships Announced

On June 22 in Tokyo, the Meiji Cup concluded — the final qualifying stage for a spot on Japan’s national team for the 2025 Greco-Roman Wrestling World Championships. This tournament determined the main contenders for the trip to Zagreb, where the World Championships will take place from September 13 to 21. Sportaran reports on who qualified and how the team was formed.

How the Selection Process Works in Japan
The selection system used by the Japan Wrestling Federation (JWF) remains one of the clearest and most competitive in the world:

• First, wrestlers earn ranking points at two major national tournaments — the Emperor’s Cup (December) and the NHK Cup (April–May).

• Top athletes then compete in the Meiji Cup (June), where the winner in each weight category is determined.

• If the Meiji Cup winner and Emperor’s Cup champion are different, a playoff match is held for the single spot at the World Championships.

2025 Meiji Cup Winners — Greco-Roman Wrestling

• 55 kg – Taiga Onishi

• 60 kg – Kaito Inaba

• 63 kg – Masato Nakamura

• 67 kg – Kyotaro Sogabe

• 72 kg – Taishi Narikuni

• 77 kg – Nao Kusaka

• 82 kg – Taizo Yoshida

• 87 kg – Hajime Sakabe

• 97 kg – Yuriki Nakazato

• 130 kg – Yuta Nara

Playoffs: Qualification Matches
Since in several weight classes the Meiji Cup winners differed from the Emperor’s Cup champions, playoff bouts were held for the ticket to Zagreb:

• 67 kg: Kyotaro Sogabe defeated Katsuki Endo 9-0

• 72 kg: Taishi Narikuni defeated Honna Issei 9-0

• 77 kg: Nao Kusaka defeated Kodai Sakuraba 4-1

Final Japanese National Greco-Roman Team for the 2025 World Championships

• 55 kg – Taiga Onishi

• 60 kg – Kaito Inaba

• 63 kg – Masato Nakamura

• 67 kg – Kyotaro Sogabe

• 72 kg – Taishi Narikuni

• 77 kg – Nao Kusaka

• 82 kg – Taizo Yoshida

• 87 kg – Hajime Sakabe

• 97 kg – Yuriki Nakazato

• 130 kg – Yuta Nara