She finished second at the 2015 World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas[2] and represented her country at the 2016 Summer Olympics, winning a gold medal by defeating Maria Mamashuk of Belarus 3-0.

She celebrated her Olympic gold medal victory by delivering two fireman's carry takedowns to her coach (Kazuhito Sakae).

[3] Kawai's Olympic gold medal was one of four won by Japan's women's wrestling team at the 2016 Rio games.

Her younger sister Yukako had won gold in the 62 kg division the previous day.

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