London was the Olympics that I was most nervous about. From coming into the venue and stepping on to the mat, people were supporting with ‘Saori’ banners and waving the Japanese flag, so even though it was London, I felt much more like fighting at home that way, which was really inspiring. Saori Yoshida Read Quote
Tonya Verbeek is a rival of mine I always come up against in the semis or the final of the Olympics. We have been fighting each other for a long time, so she knew my wrestling, and I knew hers… I was thinking that the only thing I could do was somehow to deceive her, anticipate her and get in my tackles. Saori Yoshida Read Quote
London was the hardest Olympic Games, and before it, I was really just hoping to win a medal, even if it was not the gold medal. At the same time, I have my next target. I am not settling for three golds in a row. I now want to try for a fourth. Saori Yoshida Read Quote
If I wrestle the way I can, I won’t lose. That’s the way I feel going to London. Saori Yoshida Read Quote
Fear is there. Anything can happen at an Olympics. I want to use the experience I gained from Athens and Beijing – the fear, too – and build a me that can’t lose. I will do everything to make sure I win a third gold medal in London. That target drives me. I’m bulking up and have more power now. I’ll be fighting fit to take the gold back home. Saori Yoshida Read Quote
With China and North Korea, you never know who you’ll fight. The faces are always changing, and suddenly young opponents come up. It’s all about winning at the Olympics, not about winning pretty. I’ll just keep trying to improve, add more muscle power, and make sure I’m the last one standing. Saori Yoshida Read Quote
