2025 Emperor’s Cup Greco-Roman Champions Analyzed Across 6 Metrics | Who Is the PFP King?

Introduction

We analyzed match data from all weight class champions in the Greco-Roman division of the 2025 Emperor’s Cup. Unlike freestyle wrestling, where takedowns and speed take center stage, Greco-Roman is built around upper-body clinches. Using the same six metrics applied to our World Championships analysis, this article digs into the unique qualities that define excellence in Greco-Roman wrestling.

Points Per Minute – Offensive Output

Tanabe (63kg) stood in a class of his own, posting a remarkable average of 4.66 points per minute. Second was Paris Olympic champion Kusaka (77kg) at 2.91 points per minute. Third was Yoshida (87kg) at 2.50 points per minute – competing in his first Emperor’s Cup after moving up a weight class, he showed the same powerful hips and relentless forward pressure that have defined his career.

Points Allowed Per Minute – Airtight Defense

Tanabe (63kg), Kusaka (77kg), and Yoshida (87kg) all finished with zero points allowed. Winning a national championship without conceding a single point is an extraordinary feat. In Greco-Roman, where passive violations can generate points relatively easily, shutting out every opponent signals a wrestler who controls the stand-up phase from the opening whistle.

Championship Points Won (CPW) – Quality of Victories

Tanabe (63kg), Narukuni (72kg), and Fujii (82kg) all tied at the top with a score of 4.0. A CPW of 4 means every match was won by technical superiority. Notably, Tanabe and Narukuni are two-sport standouts who have also excelled in freestyle – remarkable performances by any standard.

Championship Points Lost (CPL) – Disciplined Risk Management

Tanabe (63kg), Kusaka (77kg), and Yoshida (87kg) again recorded a perfect 0 in CPL. The numbers reflect their ability to deny opponents any foothold. Earning zero here within the context of Greco-Roman – where passive violations are a constant threat – speaks to a remarkably controlled wrestling style.

Wrestling Quality (WQ) – Overall Balance

WQ placed Tanabe (63kg) at the top with an outstanding score of 4.66. Kusaka (77kg) registered 2.91 and Yoshida (87kg) 2.50. All three combined elite scoring ability with a flawless defense that never conceded a point. This is the ideal model of competitive wrestling executed at its finest.

Most Successful Wrestler (MSV) – The Pinnacle of Excellence

Tanabe (63kg) led all competitors with an MSV of 8.66. By combining elite attack, impenetrable defense, and dominant win margins, he proved himself the most complete champion in the Greco-Roman division. The fact that a wrestler performing at this level is also competing in freestyle makes his achievements all the more extraordinary.

Dominant Across the Board

Tanabe (63kg), Kusaka (77kg), and Yoshida (87kg) went through the entire tournament without allowing a single point. In a style where passivity violations can award points more readily than in freestyle, these three showed no vulnerability whatsoever.

Closing Thoughts

Many of the wrestlers who appeared prominently in this analysis are alumni of Nippon Sport Science University (NSSU) – a testament to the enduring strength of NSSU’s Greco-Roman program. This year’s champions also include athletes from Aoyama Gakuin University and Ikuei University. It would be fascinating to use data to identify the distinctive style of different universities and teams.

We hope this analysis gives you a fresh perspective on wrestling through the lens of data.

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