Biography:
Chizuru Arai (jap. 新井千鶴 Arai Chizuru; born November 1, 1993) is a former Japanese judoka who made a significant impact on the sport. Known for her skill and determination, Arai’s judo career was marked by numerous accomplishments and victories, both on a national and international level.
Arai began her judo journey at a young age, displaying natural talent and dedication to the sport. Competing in the middleweight division, which encompasses the weight category up to 70 kilograms, she quickly established herself as a formidable force. Her rise to prominence was evident in 2012 when she became the U20 Asian Champion. A year later, in 2013, Arai secured second place at the U21 World Championships, showcasing her potential as a world-class athlete.
In 2014, Arai represented Japan at the Asian Games, where she won the silver medal in the individual event, narrowly missing out on the gold to South Korea’s Kim Seong-yeon. However, she found success on the team level, as the Japanese women’s team clinched victory in the competition. A year later, Arai joined forces with her teammates to triumph at the World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Continuing her pursuit of excellence, Arai aimed for individual success at the 2017 World Championships in Budapest. She overcame formidable opponents, defeating Colombia’s Yuri Alvear in the semifinals and Puerto Rico’s María Pérez in the final to claim her first world singles title. A testament to her versatility, Arai also contributed to the Japanese team’s victory in the mixed competition.
Building on her success, Arai repeated her triumph at the World Championships in 2018 in Baku. She fought her way to the final by defeating Alvear and Pérez in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively. In an electrifying match, Arai emerged as the winner, securing her second singles title by defeating France’s Marie-Ève Gahié. Once again, Arai played an instrumental role in Japan’s victory in the mixed competition.
Despite encountering obstacles along the way, Arai remained resilient and focused on achieving her goals. In 2019, she suffered a defeat at the hands of Portugal’s Barbara Timo in the round of 32 at the World Championships in Tokyo. This setback only fueled her determination to improve and bounce back stronger than ever.
Arai’s crowning achievement came in 2021 when she competed at the Tokyo Olympics. The highly anticipated event proved to be a turning point in her career as she captured the prestigious gold medal in the middleweight division. In a display of exceptional skill and unwavering perseverance, Arai overcame Germany’s Giovanna Scoccimarro in the quarterfinals and engaged in a grueling match against Russia’s Madina Taimazova in the semifinals, which lasted over sixteen minutes. Ultimately, Arai emerged victorious in the final, defeating Austria’s Michaela Polleres to claim the Olympic title.
Not only did Arai achieve success individually, but she also played an integral role in Japan’s achievements in team competitions. She contributed significantly to the Japanese team’s silver medal in the mixed team competition at the Tokyo Olympics and was widely celebrated for her invaluable contributions.
Throughout her career, Arai’s dedication to judo and her unwavering spirit inspired many young athletes. Her commitment to excellence and her resilience in the face of challenges placed her among the most influential judokas of her generation. Arai’s impact on women’s judo history cannot be overstated, as she set an example for future generations of athletes, proving that hard work, determination, and a relentless pursuit of goals can lead to remarkable achievements.
Awards:
– Olympic Gold Medal, 2021
– 2-time World Singles Champion
– Asian Games Silver Medal, 2014
– U20 Asian Champion, 2012