Japan Loses International Judo Influence

[Mulboyne]

[floatl][/floatl]Yomiuri: Japan loses key seat on intl judo body
Japan has been left without a seat on the International Judo Federation's Executive Committee for the first time, after Olympic judo gold medalist Yasuhiro Yamashita [align=left] lost out in his bid to be reelected education and coaching director. Yamashita was defeated by Algerian Mohamed Meridja by 123 votes to 61, at a general assembly meeting held Monday. Japan joined the IJF in 1952. Observers say Japan's international influence on the sport could be diminished as a result. Yamashita was elected to the executive committee for the first time in 2003 and focused on spreading judo and instruction on how to correctly wear the judogi or uniform. However, in the IJF presidential election in 2005, Yamashita backed South Korean Park Yong Sung, who recently stepped down from the position. Supporters of current IJF President Marius Vizer, a former European federation president and critic of Park, decided to field Meridja against Yamashita. Following the result, Yamashita said: "The size of the loss was greater than I expected. Without an executive committee member, Japan will find it difficult to obtain information on the federation. I'm genuinely concerned about whether Japan can keep up with global trends in the sport."

[Mulboyne]

[Takechanpoo]

Mr.Yamashita had prevent non-Japanese judo player from modding their uniform for relatively small-hands J-players difficult to grab their uniform.
From now on, sneak non-Japanese player must start to mod their uniform not to be defeated by J-players.

[Greji]

Mr.Yamashita had prevent non-Japanese judo player from modding their uniform for relatively small-hands J-players difficult to grab their uniform.
From now on, sneak non-Japanese player must start to mod their uniform not to be defeated by J-players.

Do I hear a poor little man complex coming on again Take! That is totally a bullshit call. Judo is by weight class and all players must be in their own class, unless it is open, or to decide the overall champion of the champions. If you look at the size of the competitors, you should realize that. Naoya Ogawa is 6'4' and about 250 pounds. I guarantee you that he does not have small hands. Look at Yamashita himself, Saito, Shintani and even Inoue and tell me they how little they and their hands are.

That dog don't hunt.

But having said that, International Judo has always been super political and I do hate to see Japan pushed out of the committee by an obvious political ploy. However, Japan can probably blame themselves for not supporting Yamashita, either in international sports backing or media backing. He hasn't really been in the news lately and it is another example of the media taking things Japanese for granted. Who would imagine that the founders of Judo would be eliminated? It's only after the shock of it happening that they realize they should have supported him or another suitable candidate. But, as usual, now it is too late, but it does offer an excellent chance to write a series of "we poor Japanese" articles!

Unfortunate, but it's a cold and rough world out there!

[kusai Jijii]

But having said that, International Judo has always been super political and I Japan can probably blame themselves for not supporting Yamashita, either in international sports backing or media backing. He hasn't really been in the news lately and it is another example of the media taking things Japanese for granted. Who would imagine that the founders of Judo would be eliminated? It's only after the shock of it happening that they realize they should have supported him

Same thing could be said about the Japanese after their historical defeat at this years World Kendo Championships. The 'unthinkable' actually happened - Japan got rolled - and now the J-kendo movers and shakers are scratching themselves about how to better deal with the 'gaijin kendoka'.

[Greji]

Same thing could be said about the Japanese after their historical defeat at this years World Kendo Championships. The 'unthinkable' actually happened - Japan got rolled - and now the J-kendo movers and shakers are scratching themselves about how to better deal with the 'gaijin kendoka'.

You know I still find it amazing. The international sports politics scene is decided by who makes the most noise and tosses in the most gold dust. This is a game at which Nippon excells. Japan has been tossing poke after poke of nuggets into the politics of such sports as world soccer (i.e. gets to host a World Cup in front of a lot of deserving countries) and into track and field to get the recent Osaka clam bake. They do shit in either sport and are suddenly surprised by politics on the toss from Judo and next maybe Kendo. (i.e. How could it ever happen?) The funny thing is that they haven't a clue!

[Takechanpoo]

Sneak european dudes always discriminate non-Euro-American people within law.
We Japanese had already suffered within-law racism in Nordic ski jumping.
Next we suffer within-law racism is in Judo.
From now on we Japanese too should make white gaijin dudes suffer within-law racism.

[Greji]

Sneak european dudes always discriminate non-Euro-American people within law.
We Japanese had already suffered within-law racism in Nordic ski jumping.
Next we suffer within-law racism is in Judo.
From now on we Japanese too should make white gaijin dudes suffer within-law racism.

It abounds Take, but I would not recommend using the Nordic ski jumping rules change as am example with Japan having a backseat role in originally loading the rules in its favor. Crying foul when it was finally changed to reverse the emphasis on jumping only, will not carry much weight! Nordic was initially cross-country almost in its entirety.

There was no racism in the Judo decision. Just political. Sure, it is possible that there could of been racists involved, but it was simply that the Japan Judo Federation went to sleep and was caught in the coups to dump the Korean Kaicho!

Actually the Koreans were caught unaware as like the Japan Sports Committee reps, they were out throwing cash and influence around in other sports (soccer again comes immediately to mind) and like Japan, just assumed they would continue in prominence among the rulers of Judo and were caught with their knickers around their ankles.

[American Oyaji]

Koreans and Japanese with knickers around their ankles.
What a pleasant thought.

[DrP]

If Japan wants to keep Japanese Judo pure, fine - they can practice their unique flavor at will, here, in Japan. However, International competition favors an international board regardless of the origin, context or culture of the sport. If Japan can't keep a seat - too bad, all countries <should> basically have an equal chance.

I can see where Japan could initiate events that are 'cultural' in nature whereby the participants are Japanese. This would let them have their cake. At the international level, they'd be on the same tatami as the rest of the contestants.

[Mulboyne]

They are going to change the colour of the mats:

[Mulboyne]

Yomiuri: Intl Judo Fed mulls axing koka from scoring system

The International Judo Federation will consider a proposal to eliminate the koka from the scoring system, while also making a wrestling-like tackle illegal, it was learned Wednesday. The federation will propose at its executive council meeting on March 6 that the koka, the lowest of the four levels of scoring, be eliminated, with the new rule possibly coming into effect in time for the Beijing Olympics. Currently, there are four levels of scoring--koka, yuko, waza-ari and ippon--depending on what part of the body hits the mat when thrown by an opponent. But there is no firm criteria for distinguishing between them. By eliminating the koka, it is believed that judges will be able to demarcate the differences better. Japan, which emphasizes traditional judo with its big throws, has recently been hard-pressed to match the European style of building up points with small techniques such as the wrestling tackle. Under the proposed rule, the competitor will no longer be able to execute such a move without first grabbing the opponent's uniform. In addition, a judges' decision will again be used to break ties. If all three are in agreement, the match will end; if not, then the match will continue in a sudden-death overtime format. While Japan welcomes the rule changes, some officials expressed concern that this summer's Olympics may be too soon to introduce them.

[Mulboyne]

[Mulboyne]

Yomiuri: Judoka need to adapt to trends / Latest rule changes caught many Japanese competitors off guard

Faced with dramatic changes in the world of judo, some of the Japanese squad barely managed to save face at the Beijing Olympics. Though Satoshi Ishii, 21, won the gold medal in the men's over-100 kilogram division, the seven medals won by Japan in Beijing was the smallest haul since women's judo was officially included in the Olympics in 1992. The ability of Japan--the birthplace of judo--to adapt to global trends in the sport is clearly being tested. On Aug. 7, the day before the Beijing Games opened, the International Judo Federation summoned representatives of each country's judo team to make an announcement. The IJF notified participating nations of a new rule, to take effect from the Beijing Games, whereby shido penalties for minor infringements would be issued more strictly than before for violations such as poor posture, a pretend offense called kakenige and another pretend offense involving clutching the opponent's trousers for extended periods. Illustrated and detailed explanations were provided to the representatives, and Juan Carlos Barcos, director of refereeing at the IJF, said judoka should compete in a manner befitting the sport. Previously, pretend offenses and other violations had been included in a list of penalizable offenses, but referees were inconsistent in applying the rules.

The IJF's executive committee decided at a meeting in March that such offenses would be more rigidly penalized, a decision that had dramatic results in Beijing, where shido penalties were issued much more liberally than before. Shido penalties were originally intended to put pressure on passive judoka to be more active and to deter those who have earned points from just trying to evade an opponent. At the Beijing Games, the referees apparently also wanted to increase tension in the matches. Ishii was able to adapt to the new guidelines and was able to read the flow of his matches. In the final with Abdullo Tangriev of Uzbekistan, Ishii gained a two-point lead after his opponent received shido cautions with less than a minute remaining. Ishii then shifted tactics, concentrating on defense to ensure he won the gold. In contrast, Ryoko Tani, competing in the women's 48 kilogram on the first day of judo competition, failed to grasp the changes in refereeing. In her semifinal against Alina Dumitru of Romania, Tani's offense was too slow, and she placed too much emphasis on countering attacks. Tani was given a shido caution 30 seconds before the end of the match, dashing her dream of winning three consecutive Olympic golds.

In a total of 70 final, semifinal and bronze-medal matches in all weight classes, results in 12 were decided by the difference in the number of shido cautions, rather than on individual skill. The IJF has introduced other reforms since Marius Vizer of Austria, the former head of the European Judo Union, became IJF president last September. From next year, the IJF will abolish the system of koka, or tie-breaking points. As a result there will only be three point categories--ippon, waza-ari and yuko. The IJF also plans to drastically reduce the numbers able to enter consolation matches. For judo to survive as an Olympic sport, the rules need to be easier to understand and management of the matches made smoother so they are better suited to being televised. One Japanese judo official said the changes suggested the IJF was worried about the sport. The attitude of Japanese judoka in prioritizing ippon, a match-winning score, can never be wrong. But judo is a competition, and the nation's competitors need to carefully assess tactics and strategies for each major event.

World judo map redrawn

The judo tournament at the Olympics saw one upset after another, with several world champions failing to pick up gold. Only two gold medalists from last September's World Championships went on to stand atop the podium in Beijing--Irakli Tsirekidze of Georgia in the men's 90-kilogram class and Yang Xiuli of China in the women's 78-kilogram class. Ryoko Tani, favorite in the women's 48-kilogram class, had to settle for bronze. Athens Olympics gold medalist Keiji Suzuki was knocked out in the first round of the men's 100-kilogram class, an event that saw a virtual unknown from Mongolia, Tuvshinbayar Naidan, go on to claim the country's first ever Olympic gold. In addition to the fall of many champions, the tournament also saw a shift in the distribution of power on the world judo map. Medals formerly tended to go to judoka from Japan and traditionally strong nations in Asia and Europe. Except for the three Chinese women who took gold on home soil, an accelerating trend toward a thinner spread of medals across the board can be seen. Japanese men and women won a total of seven medals in Beijing, their lowest-ever tally since women's judo was made an official Olympic sport for the 1992 Barcelona Games. But at least Japan maintained its position at the top of the judo medal table.

The Japanese men's judo team picked up just two gold medals and is seen by many as having had a poor tournament. But having said this, no other nation won more than one gold. Even South Korea, which took the highest total of men's medals, only claimed one gold and two silvers. The changing judo map can also be attributed to the International Judo Federation's efforts to spread the sport. Three medals went to judoka from African nations--two to Algeria and one to Egypt--and emerging judo nations such as Argentina and Azerbaijan also won medals. In a repeat of its Athens performance four years ago, European powerhouse France failed to pick up a gold. Russia went medalless. So it seems that Japan is not the only country suffering from the expansion of judo's base.

Learn from foreigners, Inoue says

Kosei Inoue, gold medalist in the men's judo 100-kilogram class at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, said after watching the poor showing of the men's team in Beijing that Japanese judoka should closely study the movements and techniques used by foreign competitors. "We need to practice the traditional Japanese way of aiming to win by ippon, after thoroughly analyzing judo in foreign countries and studying the rules," Inoue told The Yomiuri Shimbun. "Shido [a penalty for minor infringements] were given when judoka adopted an overly defensive attitude, so we have to study [in what situations they are awarded]," Inoue said in regard to how men's judo in the country could be revived. "We have to properly research matters such as movement and the buildup before the application of techniques to help us deal with techniques characteristic of foreign [judoka]." Inoue also spoke of how judo has spread from its traditional base in Asia, South America and Europe, and how judoka the world over are improving. Inoue said: "Two hundred and four countries and territories participated in the Olympics, and nearly all of them have judo federations. Japanese judo certainly hasn't got weaker, it's just that judo has become stronger in the rest of the world." Inoue went on to say that Japan should take note of the results in Beijing and everyone involved in the sport should focus their energies on getting Japanese men's judo back to where it once was.

[Mulboyne]

Yomiuri: Judo as sport throws judo as art

Has the Japaneseness inherent in judo been stripped away to accommodate forms of judo that do not adhere as closely to its traditions? Revisions in the current system suggest that may be the case. The International Judo Federation has decided to introduce next year a world ranking system that will rank judoka of each country according to points they earn...The revisions, which were modeled after the systems in the professional golf and tennis circuits, signify that judo is becoming a professional mixed martial art...From the point of view of promoting understanding of this Japanese traditional martial art, it is good that judo will become more internationalized, making judo tournaments overseas even more exciting. But as judo becomes increasingly professionalized and commercialized, will its basic spirit, exemplified in the slogans "Begin and end with a bow" and "Softness overcomes strength," be stripped away? Many people may feel sad when they see the essence of Japanese judo became internationalized...more...

[Mike Oxlong]

Japan suffer 59-year world championship low

Japan suffered an embarrassing world championship wipeout on Sunday when for the first time in 59 years their highly-regarded men's team failed to win a title.

Their last hope, double world champion Yasuyuki Muneta missed out on a medal when he suffered a third round loss to Mongolia's Gankhuyag Dorjpalam in their +100kg bout.

The defeat completed a miserable downward spiral for Japan's men's team who until 1973 won all golds on offer at the world championships.

Shinichi Shinohara, Japanese head coach and a world champion in 1999, was shattered by the team's performance.

"It is very disappointing that the Japanese men?s team is ending the competition with no gold medals. I take responsibility.

"I wonder if the athletes really had the determination to win gold. I think they lacked this attitude. They may have their excuses but the result is everything," said Shinohara.

"Hopefully by the next Olympic Games in 2012, you will see changes. I need to train the athletes so that they are mentally stronger.

"It does not mean anything if you win against Japanese athletes. International competition is what matters. We need to focus on bouts against non-Japanese athletes."...

[IkemenTommy]

I read or saw it somewhere that they were finally going to get rid of the grappling-type throws and tackles. I believe the Mongolian(s) were notorious for it in the Beijing Olympics.

Sadly, Judo has become such a eurotrash-centric sport that it no longer has its appeal.

[Greji]

Sadly, Judo has become such a eurotrash-centric sport that it no longer has its appeal.

That is true, but any sport that has such great techniques as "Uchimata," can't be lightly dismissed....

[IkemenTommy]

That is true, but any sport that has such great techniques as "Uchimata," can't be lightly dismissed....

aka Kancho?

[Samurai_Jerk]

I wish they'd just replace all the fighting sports with Olympic MMA. And I want original UFC rules: no bitting, no eye gouging, no judges, no rounds, no time limits, no weight classes.

[Gilligan]

Shinichi Shinohara, Japanese head coach and a world champion in 1999, was shattered by the team's performance. ...

"I wonder if the athletes really had the determination to win gold. I think they lacked this attitude. They may have their excuses but the result is everything," said Shinohara.

Gee, what role does the head coach have in making sure his athletes have the right attitude? First time ever that the Japanese men failed to win at least one gold, but don't blame the coach.

[Doctor Stop]

I wish they'd just replace all the fighting sports with Olympic MMA. And I want original UFC rules: no bitting, no eye gouging, no judges, no rounds, no time limits, no weight classes.

And make it female-only, nude, and replace the mat with Jell-O.

[IkemenTommy]

And make it female-only, nude, and replace the mat with Jell-O.

I'm all about female oil-wresling but no heavy weight class full of fat butches.

[Doctor Stop]

They need some loving too.

[kusai Jijii]

Shinohara is a pork chop. The way he behaved at the Sydney Olympics illustrates this. I mean, look at the cunt. Say no more.

[Tsuru]

You're welcome...

[Greji]

You're welcome...

I knew him Tsuru when he was at Meiji and the old Kodokan. Then you guys went and named a street for him at he was never the same again....

[Tsuru]

I knew him Tsuru when he was at Meiji and the old Kodokan. Then you guys went and named a street for him at he was never the same again....

It has been said we had to name his own street after him so he could find his way home again

[Tsuru]

Small bump: tonight at the tender age of 76, Anton Geesink passed away. (No English sources available yet)

[FG Lurker]

[yt]BtyWMKs7dp0[/yt]

Unfortunately it's cut short, I have no idea if there is a full version out there or not. RIP.