Miss Earth Japan Furukawa Ann: A Motivation Story That Redefines Courage

Discover the inspiring mindset of Furukawa Ann: perfection isn’t required, but always approach life with sincerity, courage, and giving your very best effort.

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A smiling shot of Furukawa Ann wearing a traditional Japanese kimono (Image sources: Furukawa Ann’s official Instagram)

What about Furukawa Ann’s attitude left a deep impression?

South Korea’s nationwide general programming channel TV CHOSUN aired a two-episode special titled “Korea–Japan Super Match: Ssireum vs. Sumo” from October 6 to October 7, 2025. This sports-reality program brought together Korea’s professional ssireum athletes and Japan’s professional sumo wrestlers, showcasing a formal head-to-head competition between the two countries’ traditional martial arts.

Because ssireum and sumo differ significantly in style, stances, and rules, the matches were structured into three rounds to ensure fairness. The first round followed official sumo rules, the second adhered to ssireum rules, and the final “super match” used a hybrid rule set designed as a compromise between the two disciplines. All matches were held in Japan, adding to the event’s competitive significance.

Scenes from the TV CHOSUN variety show “Korea–Japan Super Match: Ssireum vs. Sumo” (Image sources: YouTube video screenshots)

Episode 1, which aired on October 7, 2025, opened with both the Korean and Japanese teams gathering in Japan, greeting one another, and introducing their lineups. The scene then moved to the presentation of the goodwill ambassadors representing each country. South Korea’s goodwill ambassador was Kim Chaewon (@kimchaxwon), the winner of Miss Korea 2024 (Jin), while Japan’s goodwill ambassador was Furukawa Ann (@ann_furukawa), the Grand Prix winner of Miss Earth Japan 2024.

Various images of Kim Chaewon featured on Korea–Japan Super Match: Ssireum vs. Sumo (Image sources: YouTube video screenshots, Kim Chaewon’s official Instagram)

Kim Chaewon was born on May 29, 2002 and stands 173 cm tall. She is currently an undergraduate student in the Department of Communication, Media, and Journalism at Yonsei University. In 2024, at just 22 years old, she won 1st place (Jin) at the 68th Miss Korea pageant.

Aspiring to become a film director, Kim Chaewon is also interested in content production and other creative fields. A true sports lover whose hobby is working out, she brings together both intelligence and athleticism. Because she is passionate about fitness and sports, she joined the Korean national team throughout the entire event, supporting them at every stage of the Korea–Japan Super Match.

Various images of Furukawa Ann featured on Korea–Japan Super Match: Ssireum vs. Sumo (Image sources: YouTube video screenshots, Furukawa Ann’s official Instagram)

Furukawa Ann was born on December 1, 2002, and is originally from Osaka, Japan. She stands 168 cm tall and is currently an undergraduate student in the Faculty of Sociology at Meiji Gakuin University. A strong swimmer, she lists swimming as her special skill. In 2024, at the age of 21, she won the Grand Prix title at the Miss Earth Japan competition.

Since then, she has been actively working as a gravure model and television talent, expanding her presence across Japanese media. Passionate about promoting Japanese tradition and culture, she accompanied the Japanese national team throughout the entire Korea–Japan Super Match, supporting them at every stage of the program.

A scene showing Kim Chaewon and Furukawa Ann preparing for their arm-wrestling match on the show (Image sources: YouTube video screenshots)

A close-up of Furukawa Ann removing her geta sandals and focusing seriously before the arm-wrestling match (Image sources: YouTube video screenshots)

Before the official Korea–Japan matches began, the production prepared a warm-up “Power Match” to compare the physical strength of both teams through a tug-of-war challenge. Before the tug-of-war itself, the two goodwill ambassadors competed in an arm-wrestling match for a small benefit.

This Miss Korea vs. Miss Earth Japan arm-wrestling showdown was the first time such a matchup had ever been publicly shown in the media, drawing immediate attention. Right before the match, Miss Earth Japan Furukawa Ann surprised everyone by removing her geta (traditional wooden sandals) and stepping into the contest barefoot.

Although the program is classified as entertainment, her actions showed that she had no intention of taking the match lightly. Her posture, focus, and readiness demonstrated a clear sense of seriousness. This wasn’t a playful gesture; it was a deliberate choice rooted in respect—respect for her opponent, and respect for the match itself. In this moment, her mindset spoke louder than any glamorous title: she came to compete with sincerity, discipline, and genuine sportsmanship.

The arm-wrestling match scene between Kim Chaewon and Furukawa Ann on Korea–Japan Super Match: Ssireum vs. Sumo (Image sources: YouTube video screenshots)

A shot of Furukawa Ann celebrating her victory in the arm-wrestling match (Image sources: YouTube video screenshots)

As a Korean viewer, my natural instinct was to support Kim Chaewon, the goodwill ambassador representing Korea. However, the moment I saw Furukawa Ann take off her geta and step into the match barefoot—with unmistakable seriousness—my perspective shifted. Her attitude wasn’t just respectful; it was compelling enough to make me root for her instead.

Once the arm-wrestling match began, both teams, the hosts, and even the production crew watched with genuine excitement. It was a tight, well-matched contest between the two women, and after a tense back-and-forth, Furukawa Ann secured the win. Her victory earned the Japanese team a key advantage: the right to choose the order of play in the upcoming challenges.

Kim Chaewon’s motivational personal motto

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“What I thought was a wall was actually just a door that had been closed for a long time.” (벽인 줄 알았던 게 오래 닫힌 문이었다.)

”

Although she lost the arm-wrestling match, Kim Chaewon showed unwavering determination. She often lives by the personal motto, “What I thought was a wall turned out to be a long-closed door.” The phrase reflects the idea that what once appeared to be an impossible obstacle was, in reality, simply a door that hadn’t been opened in a long time.

In other words, challenges that seem insurmountable may still hold room for solutions, waiting to be unlocked with a shift in perspective or a bit of courage. Her motto invites reflection on the moments when we misunderstood a closed door for a solid wall, reminding us that the limitations we believe in may actually be the entrance to a new path.

Furukawa Ann’s inspiring mindset

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“You don’t have to be perfect. But always bring sincerity and courage in giving your very best.” (完璧である必要はない。ただ、全力を尽くす誠実さと勇気だけは必ず持とう。)

”

Furukawa Ann, who won the arm-wrestling match, also made headlines during the 2024 Miss Earth Japan pageant for her creative approach to an English-language interview. With no interpreter provided, she used the Google Translate app on her iPhone: typing her responses in Japanese, translating them into English, and then playing the translated answers aloud via speaker.

More than language skills, this moment highlighted her willingness to acknowledge her limitations and do everything possible within her means. While some critics argued that relying on a translation app indicated a lack of refinement, her honest and confident approach—prioritizing communication and effort over flawless language—won her support from media outlets and fans around the world.

Photos of Kim Chaewon and Furukawa Ann taken together (Image sources: Furukawa Ann’s official Instagram)

Both Kim Chaewon and Furukawa Ann are remarkable individuals, combining beauty, intelligence, and inspiring mindsets. This broadcast offered viewers a chance to appreciate not only their looks but also their admirable character and spirit. In particular, Furukawa Ann’s attitude sends a powerful motivational message: “You don’t have to be perfect, but always give your best with sincerity and courage.”

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