Sakamoto wins gold at women's world championships

Sakamoto wins gold at women's world championships

MOSCOW, Russia - Hitomi Sakamoto of Japan holds the medal she won after rallying to beat Russia's Lorisa Oorzhak in the final of the women's 48-kilogram division at the world wrestling championships in Moscow on Sept. 8, 2010, winning her seventh world championship gold medal.

Sakamoto wins gold at women's world championships

Sakamoto wins gold at women's world championships

MOSCOW, Russia - Hitomi Sakamoto of Japan rallies to beat Russia's Lorisa Oorzhak in the final of the women's 48-kilogram division at the world wrestling championships in Moscow on Sept. 8, 2010, winning her seventh world championship gold medal.

Yoshida, Sakamoto win gold at world championships

Yoshida, Sakamoto win gold at world championships

BAKU, Azerbaijan - Hitomi Sakamoto of Japan is moved into tears after defeating Ren Xueceng of China 2-0 in the final to win her third straight crown in the women's 51-kg class at the world wrestling championships in Baku on Sept. 22.

Yoshida, Sakamoto win gold at world championships

Yoshida, Sakamoto win gold at world championships

BAKU, Azerbaijan - Hitomi Sakamoto of Japan smiles as she shows off her gold medal on the podium after claiming her third straight crown in the women's 51-kg class at the world wrestling championships in Baku on Sept. 22.

Japan sweeps gold medals at wrestling world championships

Japan sweeps gold medals at wrestling world championships

GUANGZHOU, China - Japan won gold medals in all three women's weight categories at the wrestling world championships Sept. 30 in China. From L to R, Hitomi Sakamoto, Saori Yoshida, and Ayako Shoda.

Sakamoto wins women's 51-kg title

Sakamoto wins women's 51-kg title

BUDAPEST, Hungary - Japan's Hitomi Sakamoto (L) shows off the gold medal she won for the women's 51-kilogram title by downing Vanena Boobryem of France at the world wrestling championships in Budapest on Sept. 28. At right is her younger sister Makiko, who took the bronze in the women's 48-kg class.

Sakamoto wins 2nd title in women's wrestling

Sakamoto wins 2nd title in women's wrestling

SOFIA, BULGARIA - Defending champion Hitomi Sakamoto shows off her gold medal after her second straight 51-kilogram crown at the women's wrestling world championships at the Palace of Sport in Sofia on Nov. 25. Sakamoto rolled to an easy 12-1 victory over Stephanie Murata of the United States.

Sakamoto wins 2nd title in women's wrestling

Sakamoto wins 2nd title in women's wrestling

SOFIA, BULGARIA - Defending champion Hitomi Sakamoto shows off her gold medal after her second straight 51-kilogram crown at the women's wrestling world championships at the Palace of Sport in Sofia on Nov. 25. Sakamoto rolled to an easy 12-1 victory over Stephanie Murata of the United States.

Sakamoto wins women's 51-kg title

Sakamoto wins women's 51-kg title

BUDAPEST, Hungary - Japan's Hitomi Sakamoto (L) shows off the gold medal she won for the women's 51-kilogram title by downing Vanena Boobryem of France at the world wrestling championships in Budapest on Sept. 28. At right is her younger sister Makiko, who took the bronze in the women's 48-kg class. (Kyodo)

Japan sweeps gold medals at wrestling world championships

Japan sweeps gold medals at wrestling world championships

GUANGZHOU, China - Japan won gold medals in all three women's weight categories at the wrestling world championships Sept. 30 in China. From L to R, Hitomi Sakamoto, Saori Yoshida, and Ayako Shoda. (Kyodo)

Yoshida, Sakamoto win gold at world championships

Yoshida, Sakamoto win gold at world championships

BAKU, Azerbaijan - Hitomi Sakamoto of Japan smiles as she shows off her gold medal on the podium after claiming her third straight crown in the women's 51-kg class at the world wrestling championships in Baku on Sept. 22. (Kyodo)

Yoshida, Sakamoto win gold at world championships

Yoshida, Sakamoto win gold at world championships

BAKU, Azerbaijan - Hitomi Sakamoto of Japan is moved into tears after defeating Ren Xueceng of China 2-0 in the final to win her third straight crown in the women's 51-kg class at the world wrestling championships in Baku on Sept. 22. (Kyodo)

Sakamoto wins gold at women's world championships

Sakamoto wins gold at women's world championships

MOSCOW, Russia - Hitomi Sakamoto of Japan rallies to beat Russia's Lorisa Oorzhak in the final of the women's 48-kilogram division at the world wrestling championships in Moscow on Sept. 8, 2010, winning her seventh world championship gold medal. (Kyodo)

Sakamoto wins gold at women's world championships

Sakamoto wins gold at women's world championships

MOSCOW, Russia - Hitomi Sakamoto of Japan holds the medal she won after rallying to beat Russia's Lorisa Oorzhak in the final of the women's 48-kilogram division at the world wrestling championships in Moscow on Sept. 8, 2010, winning her seventh world championship gold medal. (Kyodo)