Wolf Aaron Announces Retirement from Judo After 2025 All Japan Business Team Championships

Wolf Aaron, the 28-year-old judoka who won the gold medal in the men’s 100 kg category at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and placed seventh at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has announced his retirement from the sport. Aaron made the announcement after paying a courtesy visit to his alma mater, Komatsu Minami Elementary School in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo, and Katsushika Ward Office.

Aaron had previously hinted at his retirement on his YouTube channel, but reiterated his decision in an interview, stating, “I’ve decided that the All Japan Business Team Championships will be my last.” He will represent Saga Prefecture at the National Sports Festival in Saga Prefecture next month and compete in the Grand Slam Tokyo Tournament on December 7th and 8th, which will be his last tournament as a representative of Japan.

When asked why he chose not to make the Paris Olympics his final competition, Aaron explained, “I wanted to create a period where I could enjoy judo,” and also wanted to give Japanese fans and people involved the opportunity to watch his matches at the end. Aaron brought the silver medal he won in the mixed team competition to his alma mater and the ward office, expressing a sense of accomplishment and gratitude for being able to participate in the Olympics again.