Natsumi Tsunoda, a 3-Time World Champion Judoka, Retires at 33

Natsumi Tsunoda has reached the stage of her life where she can no longer envision focusing on preparations for high-level judo competitions.

Therefore, the three-time world champion has decided to retire. She made an announcement at a news conference in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, on Friday, January 30.

Looking ahead, the 33-year-old said aiming to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics isn't one of her goals.

"I didn't have the motivation and couldn't see myself competing until Los Angeles," Tsunoda said, according to Kyodo News.

Tsunoda was the women's 48-kg gold medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics. By defeating Mongolia's Baasankhuu Bavuudorg in the final in the French capital, she became the recipient of Japan's 500th Summer Olympic medal.

*At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Natsumi Tsunoda defeats Mongolia's Baasankhuu Bavuudorj in the women's 48-kg final. (©SANKEI)*

In addition, the Chiba Prefecture native became the oldest Japanese judoka to claim an Olympic gold medal at age 31 and 11 months.

Recent years have given Tsunoda a new perspective moving forward.

"I realized how difficult it is to compete," Tsunoda said at the press event, according to Kyodo News. "The Olympics are not something you can approach half-heartedly."

Success for Natsumi Tsunoda on Global Stage

In addition to her individual Olympic gold medal, which was the first medal for Japan in any sport at the Paris Games, Tsunoda had other notable feats in international competitions.

She was the gold medalist in three consecutive World Judo Championships (2021-23) in the 48-kg division.

Tsunoda was also the runner-up in the 52-kg weight class at the 2017 World Judo Championships in Budapest.

She claimed her sixth International Judo Federation (IJF) Grand Slam tournament title in February 2025 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Tsunoda earned her last five Grand Slam titles in the 48-kg division.

Fittingly, she captured her first career IJF Grand Slam gold medal in Japan. Tsunoda was victorious in the 52-kg weight class in December 2016 in Tokyo.

During her judo career, Tsunoda also collected four runner-up finishes in Grand Slam competitions and a trio of third-place finishes.

She switched from the 52-kg division to the 48-kg weight class in 2019, a move that helped her earn a large number of titles, including an Asian Games gold in 2023 in Hangzhou, China.

What's Next for Natsumi Tsunoda?

As she begins retirement, Tsunoda wants to remain an active supporter of judo.

On Friday, she provided a colorful analogy to explain her ambitions.

"I've always said judo was like a lover to me, but from now on, I want judo to be my family," Tsunoda was quoted as saying by Nikkan Sports. "Even if not as an athlete, I want to walk my life's path alongside judo. I want to stay close to judo from now on."

Tsunoda wants to inspire others to participate in the sport, specifically through her newly established company, Judo Caravan. The goals of the business include promoting "the joy of physical activity and etiquette through judo to people of all ages, and supporting the opening of dojos domestically and internationally," Nikkan Sports reported.

"I want to pursue this through the company I founded," Tsunoda was quoted as saying by the sports newspaper.

Elaborating on this point, Tsunoda added, "I hope to teach and convey to children the joy of moving their bodies through promoting judo and sports."

A central pillar of Judo Caravan's mission, according to Tsunoda, is to inspire others to view participatory sports as positive activities. "We want to transform children and adults' 'I can't do it' into 'I want to try it,' " Tsunoda explained, The Asahi Shimbun reported.

At the news conference, Natsumi Tsunoda also said she wants to get married and have children.

Judo Notes

The IJF published a feature story on coaching pioneer Masutaro Otani on its website in January 2026. The article explores Otani's influential role in the sport's development in Britain.

Up next: The Paris Grand Slam will be held February 7-8. More than 500 athletes from 82 nations are scheduled to compete.

Author: Ed Odeven

Follow Ed's [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and he can be found on X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.