Japanese Olympic champion Shohei Ono has decided to hang up his judo suit and retire from competitions, as he is expected to move to a coaching career.
The 30-year-old Ono, who competed in the weight category up to 73 kg, is considered one of the greatest athletes in the industry, with gold medals in the Olympic Games in Rio 2016 and the home games in Tokyo 2020, and a three-time world champion title (2013, 2015 and 2019).
Ono participated in the Japan Championships in April, but has not returned to compete in his weight class since winning gold in Tokyo, citing a lack of physical and mental fitness.
He skipped the Tokyo Grand Slam this month on this claim, after which rumors already began that he would no longer return to the mat.
He made a name for himself in 2013 at his first World Championship, where he won the championship after a string of impressive ippon victories.
He is also undefeated in individual competition against international opponents since August 2014. Former Japan coach Kosai Inwa called him "the strongest judoka in the world".
A native of Yamaguchi Prefecture in western Japan, Ono moved to Tokyo after finishing elementary school and enrolled in a private judo academy.
He is known for specializing in the Hauchi Meta exercise and most of his victories were achieved in Ipon.
According to reports, Ono is expected to enroll in an overseas coach training program organized by the Japanese Olympic Committee, and hopes to study in the UK. From there, he hopes to follow in the footsteps of his coach Inwa.
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