Ep. 56: Yawara Announces Her Intention to Quit Judo Amidst Media Chaos and Rival Offers

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The Japan judo team returns from the World Cup, sparking a media frenzy at the airport. Yawara evades reporters, leaving Jigoro to handle them while Musashiyama members and Fujiko greet her. Hanazono accidentally holds Fujiko’s hand, creating an illusion of chemistry as they pledge support for the Barcelona Olympics, where judo becomes an official sport. Unbeknownst to most, Yawara has decided to quit. She informs Tamao she failed to find her father in Seoul, while Jigoro proudly displays her gold medal. Meanwhile, Sayaka offers Kojiro 100 million yen, or more, to teach her to defeat Yawara without caring for medals. Teleshikova receives praise and demands male judoka training. Jody lifts weights in her hospital bed. Matsuda, depressed by Yawara’s secret decision, gets drunk. Shinnosuke dates another woman, a call overheard by Matsuda. Yawara tells Fujiko she is quitting, upsetting her. Kojiro’s parents offer 600 million yen for him to coach Sayaka, and Shinnosuke is tasked with testing his qualifications.