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.[4]
In 2021, Kawai won the gold medal in the 57 kg wrestling division at the Tokyo Olympics. Her younger sister Yukako had won gold in the 62 kg division the previous day.[5]