Judo: Abe Ichijizo’s Weight Advantage and Indiscriminate Throwing
Abe’s All-japan Judo Championship Run Ends in Second Round
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TOKYO (April 29,2025) – Abe ichijizo,27,a two-time Olympic champion in the men’s 66kg judo class,saw his run at the All-Japan judo Championships come to an end in the second round. The competition, held at the Nippon Budokan, features an open weight class format.
Unexpected Defeat
Abe, representing Park 24, faced a formidable opponent in Suzuki Taiyo, a fourth-year student at Tenri University whose primary focus is the over-100kg class. Despite a valiant effort, Abe was ultimately defeated by Suzuki, who possesses a important weight advantage, tipping the scales at approximately 265 pounds (120kg), nearly double Abe’s registered weight.
The match remained closely contested until the final minute, but Suzuki’s size proved to be a decisive factor. abe, typically competing around 158-160 pounds (72-73kg) for his usual weight class, faced a considerable weight disparity.
Reflecting on the match, Abe said, “The flag was a little judgement. I wasn’t aiming for it. I went to throw it in my own way until the end.” He attempted an Ouchi Kari, a signature move, in a final, desperate attempt.
Abe’s Outlook
despite the loss, Abe expressed satisfaction with the experience. “I wanted to stand on this stage. I was so happy to be able to get on this tatami mat. I felt like I like judo,” Abe stated. “When I paired up with heavyweights… my fingers flew off, but honestly, I thought I’d have to be patient for the last minute.I’m glad I was able to compete. I have no regrets.”
First Round Success
Abe, a popular figure at the tournament, lived up to expectations in the first round, securing a victory against Sato Yujiro, 23, of the yamagata prefectural Police, whose main competitive weight is 81kg. Abe executed a spectacular throw, catching Sato’s sleeve and hip just one minute and 23 seconds into the match.
Although he was not able to win two other games, Abe said, ”I thought I had to win the first match. My opponent in the first match was 81kg, and if I won, it was over 100kg, so it was difficult to practice, but I was able to show my strengths in the first match.I was hit with a big outside cut first, so my opponent’s posture was wary and I got straight, and I managed to catch my sleeves and get my waist set. I think I was able to throw well. The second match was great for about two minutes in the first half.”
Inspiration from a Judo legend
Abe’s participation in the All-Japan Championships marked his first appearance in the “indiscriminate weight” category. He had previously refrained from participating due to concerns about potential injuries. he aimed to emulate the spirit of the late Koga Minoruhiko, a judo icon who finished as runner-up in the 1990 tournament and won gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics in the 71kg class.
At a pre-tournament press conference, Abe stated his desire to ”do judo that gives children dreams, like Koga-sensei, saying, ‘Even the lightweight class can compete against the heavy class,’ and that’s what makes them dream.”
Looking Ahead
Abe views the experience as a valuable learning possibility.”Judo is a battle of emotions at the end. I think the feelings I felt when I competed in the All Japan Championships and when I competed with a player who was in a higher rank than me will be greatly added to my judo in the future.I want to feel a lot of mentality.”
Having already secured a spot at the Paris Olympics, Abe has his sights set on the Los Angeles Olympics. ”This time, I have experienced the indiscriminate All japan and hope to compete with 73 athletes at the Los Angeles Olympics again. It has already begun for the Los Angeles Olympics, and Paris’s frustration remains the same.I can only pay back the Olympics at the Olympics. I want to try again.”
Abe’s next competition is scheduled for June at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. he aims for his fifth victory at the event.
Abe’s All-Japan Judo Championship: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is Abe Ichijizo, and what happened at the All-Japan Judo Championships?
A: Abe Ichijizo is a highly decorated judoka, a two-time Olympic champion in the men’s 66kg weight class. At the 2025 All-Japan judo Championships, held at the Nippon Budokan, Abe’s run ended in the second round. The competition uses an open-weight class format.For Abe, this meant a meaningful shift from his usual weight class.
Q: Who defeated Abe, and what were the key factors in the match?
A: Abe was defeated by Suzuki Taiyo, a fourth-year student from Tenri University, specializing in the over-100kg class. The primary factor in Suzuki’s victory was his significant weight advantage.Suzuki weighed approximately 265 pounds (120kg), nearly double Abe’s typical weight of 158-160 pounds (72-73kg).
Q: What was Abe’s immediate reaction to the loss?
A: Despite the loss, Abe expressed satisfaction with his experience. He stated,”I wanted to stand on this stage. I was so happy to be able to get on this tatami mat.I felt like I like judo.” He also acknowledged the challenges due to his opponent’s size and acknowledged the experience with no regrets.
Q: How did Abe perform in the first round of the tournament?
A: Abe was accomplished in the first round, defeating Sato Yujiro of the Yamagata Prefectural Police, who competes in the 81kg class. Abe secured the victory with a successful throw just one minute and 23 seconds into the match.
Q: What motivated Abe to compete in the All-Japan Championships?
A: Abe’s participation marked his first appearance in the open-weight category. He aimed to emulate the spirit of the late Koga Minoruhiko, a judo icon who competed in the 1990 tournament. Abe expressed his desire to “do judo that gives children dreams…”
Q: What inspired Abe, and what did he hope to achieve by participating?
A: Abe was inspired by judo legend Koga Minoruhiko, who showed that lighter weight class athletes can compete with heavier athletes. abe hoped to inspire others and demonstrate his versatility.
Q: What are Abe’s future goals and upcoming competitions?
A: Abe has already secured a spot at the Paris Olympics. Following his experience at the All-Japan Championships, he has set his sights on the Los Angeles olympics. His next competition is scheduled for June at the World Championships in Budapest,Hungary,where he aims for his fifth victory at the event.