Son Il Sim ends Fujinami's 155-win streak at Asian Games 2026 wrestling
Synopsis
One of the longest unbeaten runs in international wrestling history is over. North Korea’s Il Sim Son pinned Japan’s Paris Olympic champion Akari Fujinami at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya, ending a 155-match winning streak that dated back to 2017 — with Fujinami herself admitting she was simply outclassed on the day.
Key Takeaways
Il Sim Son of North Korea pinned Akari Fujinami by fall at 3:52 in the women’s 57kg semifinal at Asian Games 2026 .
Fujinami’s loss ended a 155-match unbeaten run stretching back to 2017 — her first international defeat in nine years .
Son led 6-0 at the break and never allowed Fujinami back into the contest.
Paris 2024 74kg champion Razambek Jamalov of Uzbekistan also suffered an upset exit, losing to Iran’s Yones Emami 7-6 before falling 7-3 to India’s Sagar Jaglan in repechage.
India’s Aman Sehrawat will face North Korea’s Chongsong Han in the men’s 57kg gold-medal bout.
Fujinami will contest the bronze-medal match after the defeat.
North Korea's Il Sim Son, the world silver medallist, produced one of the biggest upsets in recent wrestling history at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya on Saturday, 3 October, pinning Paris Olympic champion Akari Fujinami of Japan in the women's 57kg semifinal to end her 155-match unbeaten run — a streak that had lasted nine years.
How the Streak Ended
Son seized control from the very first exchange, opening with a takedown and following up with two rolls to lead 6-0 at the break. Fujinami had demonstrated earlier in the tournament that she could recover from large deficits — she had overturned a 0-6 scoreline to defeat her opening opponent 15-4 — but Son gave her no such lifeline this time.
The North Korean repeatedly shut down Fujinami's attacking attempts, remaining composed even when the Japanese wrestler attempted a duck-under. Son then added two barrel rolls, the second of which left Fujinami exposed on the mat. Son converted the position into a decisive fall at 3:52, completing the shock result.
Fujinami's Reaction
Fujinami, who had not suffered an international defeat since 2017 and had successfully transitioned from the 53kg to the 57kg category only at the end of last year, acknowledged that she had simply been outmatched. “My opponent was really strong, and I was just weak,” Fujinami was quoted as saying by United World Wrestling. “I’m still not strong enough. I will definitely get stronger. I want to win by continuing to wrestle in my own style.”
The defeat, her first in nine years, means Fujinami will compete in the bronze-medal contest rather than the gold-medal bout she had been widely expected to contest.
Other Olympic Champions Stumble
Fujinami’s exit was part of a broader day of disruption for defending Olympic champions on the wrestling mats. Paris 2024 men’s 74kg champion Razambek Jamalov of Uzbekistan was also eliminated early, losing 7-6 to Iran’s Yones Emami. Jamalov entered the repechage but was beaten 7-3 by India’s Sagar Jaglan, who produced a decisive takedown and turn in the final 20 seconds.
Finals to Watch
Son’s victory has set up a gold-medal opportunity for North Korea in the women’s 57kg final. India will also feature prominently: Aman Sehrawat is set to face North Korea’s world champion Chongsong Han in the men’s 57kg gold-medal bout. In the 97kg final, Iran’s Amirali Azarpira will take on Uzbekistan’s Sherzod Poyonov. The wrestling programme at Nagoya 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent Asian Games history, with multiple title favourites already eliminated.
Point of View
Even for those who seem invincible. What stands out is not merely the loss but how comprehensively Son executed: she controlled tempo, neutralised Fujinami’s signature attacks, and finished by fall. For North Korea, this is a rare and significant high-profile scalp on a global stage. For India, Sagar Jaglan’s repechage win over an Olympic champion and Aman Sehrawat’s appearance in a 57kg gold-medal final suggest Indian wrestling is increasingly competitive at continental level — a story that deserves at least as much attention as the headline upset.
NationPress
3 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Il Sim Son end Akari Fujinami's unbeaten streak?
Il Sim Son pinned Akari Fujinami by fall at 3:52 in the women’s 57kg semifinal at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya on 3 October. Son dominated from the opening exchange, building a 6-0 lead before finishing with two barrel rolls, the second of which left Fujinami exposed for the decisive fall.
How long was Akari Fujinami's winning streak before this defeat?
Fujinami had accumulated 155 consecutive international victories without a defeat, a run that began in 2017 — meaning she had not lost an international bout in nine years before the Asian Games 2026 semifinal.
Who is Il Sim Son of North Korea?
Il Sim Son is North Korea’s world silver medallist in women’s wrestling. Her victory over Fujinami in Nagoya has set up a gold-medal opportunity at the Asian Games 2026 in the women’s 57kg category.
What happened to Paris 2024 champion Razambek Jamalov at Asian Games 2026?
Razambek Jamalov of Uzbekistan, the Paris 2024 men’s 74kg champion, suffered an early exit at Asian Games 2026, losing 7-6 to Iran’s Yones Emami. He entered the repechage but was beaten 7-3 by India’s Sagar Jaglan, who scored a takedown and turn in the final 20 seconds.
Which Indian wrestlers are competing in gold-medal bouts at Asian Games 2026?
Aman Sehrawat will face North Korea’s world champion Chongsong Han in the men’s 57kg gold-medal bout at Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya. Sagar Jaglan also advanced through the repechage after defeating Uzbekistan’s Razambek Jamalov.
