1. Overview
高谷大地Takatani DaichiJapanese, born on November 22, 1994, is a highly accomplished Japanese freestyle wrestler. He has emerged as a significant figure in international wrestling, particularly known for his exceptional performances at major global and continental championships. Takatani earned a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics in the 74 kg category, marking a pinnacle in his career. His other notable achievements include a bronze medal at the 2023 World Wrestling Championships, and silver medals at the 2018 Asian Games and the 2018 Asian Wrestling Championships. He is the younger brother of Sosuke Takatani, also an Olympian wrestler, and together they have achieved a unique distinction as brothers who are both world medalists.
2. Early Life and Career
Daichi Takatani's wrestling journey began at a young age, leading him through a successful junior and university career before he transitioned to the senior wrestling scene with remarkable achievements.
2.1. Early Wrestling Beginnings
Born on November 22, 1994, in Kyotango, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, Daichi Takatani commenced his wrestling training at the Amino Town Boys' Classroom. His talent became evident early on, as he secured victories in the JOC Cup Cadet section for three consecutive years, starting from his third year at Amino Junior High School. While attending Amino High School, he continued to excel, achieving a bronze medal in the 54 kg category at the World Cadet Championships during his second year. In his third year, he further showcased his prowess by winning the 66 kg category at the National High School Comprehensive Sports Tournament (Inter-High).
2.2. Junior and University Career
Following his graduation from high school, Takatani continued his wrestling development at the junior level. In 2013, he enrolled in the Economics Department at Takushoku University. During his freshman year, he achieved a significant domestic victory by winning the 60 kg category at the All-Japan Selected Wrestling Championships. In his sophomore year, Takatani secured a bronze medal at the World Junior Championships in the 66 kg class. In the same year, he competed alongside his elder brother, Sosuke, at the senior World Championships, where he finished seventh in the 66 kg category. In 2014, he also won the JOC Cup Junior section in the 66 kg category and secured a silver medal at the All-Japan Selected Wrestling Championships in the 65 kg class.
2.3. Senior Career Breakthrough
Takatani transitioned to the senior wrestling scene in 2017, joining the Japan Self-Defense Forces Physical Training School, where he currently holds the rank of 1st Lieutenant as of August 2024. In his first year as a senior competitor, he clinched the title in the 65 kg category at the All-Japan Wrestling Championships. The following year, 2018, proved to be a breakthrough, as he earned silver medals at both the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, and the 2018 Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, both in the 65 kg event. Subsequently, Takatani moved up to the 74 kg weight class. His dominance continued domestically, as he won consecutive All-Japan Championships in 2021 and 2022, and also secured the All-Japan Selected Championship title in 2023. At the 2023 World Wrestling Championships, he achieved a bronze medal, notably defeating former world champion Frank Chamizo of Italy 7-2 in his opening match. Although he suffered a 4-6 comeback loss to world champion Kyle Dake of the United States in the quarterfinals, he rebounded to win the bronze medal match by fall against a Greek opponent. His performance at the 2023 World Championships also secured his qualification for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
3. Competitive Record
Daichi Takatani has established an impressive competitive record across various international and domestic wrestling tournaments, consistently achieving high placements and medals.
| Year | Tournament | Location | Result | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Asian Championships | Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan | 2nd | Freestyle 65 kg |
| Asian Games | Jakarta, Indonesia | 2nd | Freestyle 65 kg | |
| 2020 | Asian Championships | New Delhi, India | 3rd | Freestyle 74 kg |
| 2022 | Asian Championships | Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia | 3rd | Freestyle 74 kg |
| 2024 | Summer Olympics | Paris, France | 2nd | Freestyle 74 kg |
3.1. Olympic Games
At the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, Daichi Takatani competed in the men's freestyle 74 kg event. He advanced to the gold medal match, where he faced Razambek Zhamalov of Uzbekistan. Despite a hard-fought contest, Takatani was defeated by fall, earning him a prestigious silver medal.
3.2. World Championships
Takatani has represented Japan at the World Wrestling Championships on multiple occasions. In 2014, he competed in the 66 kg category, finishing seventh. He later participated in the 74 kg event at the 2022 World Wrestling Championships held in Belgrade, Serbia, where he placed tenth. His most significant achievement at this level came at the 2023 World Wrestling Championships, also in Belgrade, where he secured a bronze medal in the 74 kg category. His path to bronze included a notable victory over former world champion Frank Chamizo and a resilient performance in the repechage rounds. He also contributed to a team bronze medal at the 2019 Wrestling World Cup in Yakutsk.
3.3. Continental Championships and Games
Takatani has been a consistent medalist at continental events. At the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, he won a silver medal in the 65 kg event. In the same year, he also secured a silver medal in the 65 kg event at the 2018 Asian Wrestling Championships held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. He continued his success at the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat, where he claimed a silver medal in the 65 kg category. Furthermore, he earned bronze medals at the 2020 Asian Wrestling Championships in New Delhi, India, and the 2022 Asian Wrestling Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, both in the 74 kg category.
3.4. Domestic Championships
Daichi Takatani has achieved significant success in Japanese national competitions. He has won multiple titles at the All-Japan Championships and All-Japan Selected Championships across various weight classes:
- 2013 All-Japan Selected Championships: Gold (60 kg)
- 2013 All-Japan Championships: Bronze (66 kg)
- 2014 All-Japan Selected Championships: Silver (65 kg)
- 2016 All-Japan Championships: Bronze (65 kg)
- 2017 All-Japan Championships: Gold (65 kg)
- 2018 All-Japan Championships: Silver (65 kg)
- 2019 All-Japan Championships: Silver (74 kg)
- 2020 All-Japan Championships: Silver (74 kg)
- 2021 All-Japan Selected Championships: Bronze (74 kg)
- 2021 All-Japan Championships: Gold (74 kg)
- 2022 All-Japan Selected Championships: Gold (74 kg)
- 2022 All-Japan Championships: Gold (74 kg)
- 2023 All-Japan Selected Championships: Gold (74 kg)
3.5. Junior and Cadet Competitions
Takatani's early career was marked by strong performances in age-group competitions:
- 2008 National Junior High School Selected Championships: Bronze (42 kg)
- 2009 JOC Cup Cadet Section: Gold (46 kg)
- 2009 National Junior High School Championships: Silver (47 kg)
- 2010 JOC Cup Cadet Section: Gold (50 kg)
- 2010 Inter-High (National High School Comprehensive Sports Tournament): Silver (50 kg)
- 2011 JOC Cup Cadet Section: Gold (54 kg)
- 2011 World Cadet Championships: Bronze (54 kg)
- 2012 Inter-High: Gold (66 kg)
- 2014 JOC Cup Junior Section: Gold (66 kg)
- 2014 World Junior Championships: Bronze (66 kg)
4. Affiliations and Training
Daichi Takatani's development as an elite wrestler has been shaped by various institutions and training environments. He began his foundational training at the Amino Town Boys' Classroom. During his academic years, he attended Amino Junior High School and Amino High School, where he honed his skills. For his higher education, he pursued studies in the Economics Department at Takushoku University, which also served as his primary wrestling club. After graduating from university, Takatani joined the Japan Self-Defense Forces Physical Training School, a prestigious institution known for developing top athletes, where he continues his training as a 1st Lieutenant. His coach is Shigeki Nishiguchi.
5. Personal Life and Trivia
Daichi Takatani is widely recognized for his familial connection to wrestling, as he is the younger brother of Sosuke Takatani, who is also an accomplished freestyle wrestler and a three-time Olympian. Both brothers have achieved the rare distinction of being medalists at the World Wrestling Championships, with Sosuke earning a silver medal in 2014. This shared passion and success within the family have often been highlighted in their careers. Takatani is 67 in (169 cm) tall. As of August 2024, Daichi Takatani holds the rank of 1st Lieutenant within the Japan Self-Defense Forces, reflecting his commitment to both his athletic and military careers.
6. Public Image and Assessment
Daichi Takatani's public image within the Japanese and international wrestling communities is that of a dedicated and highly skilled athlete. His silver medal at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics significantly elevated his status, cementing his position as one of Japan's top freestyle wrestlers. This Olympic achievement, coupled with his bronze medal at the 2023 World Championships and multiple medals at continental events, underscores his consistent performance at the highest levels of the sport. His disciplined approach, evident from his affiliation with the Japan Self-Defense Forces Physical Training School, is often cited as a key factor in his success. As a world and Olympic medalist, expectations for his future career remain high, with many anticipating continued strong performances and leadership within the Japanese wrestling team.