Judo Powerhouses Unite: Abe and Co. Steer Clear of Paris Olympics Medalists at GS Tokyo

On the 5th, the All Japan Judo Federation announced the players representing Japan for the International Judo Federation (IJF) World Tour’s Grand Slam (GS) Tokyo Tournament (December 7th and 8th at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium), the only event to be held in Japan, and the Paris Olympics. A total of 56 athletes were selected in 14 categories for men and women, including Sanshiro Murao (JES Group), who won the silver medal in the men’s 90 kg class.

The team for this summer’s Paris Olympics consists of three people: Murao, Tatsuki Nagayama (SBC Shonan Beauty Clinic), who won the bronze medal in the men’s 60 kg class, and Soichi Hashimoto (Park 24), who won the bronze medal in the 73 kg class, and there are no women. None of the three gold medalists will be participating: Hifumi Abe (Park 24) in the men’s 66kg class, Takanori Nagase (Asahi Kasei) in the 81kg class, and Natsumi Tsunoda (SBC Shonan Beauty Clinic) in the women’s 48kg class. .

Women’s coach Maki Tsukada, who attended a press conference in Tokyo, explained the reason for the selection, saying, “This is a restart after the Paris Olympics.We gave a chance to the players who performed well at the Kodokan Cup (this month).” Regarding the absence of all seven members of the Olympic team, including Tsunoda, he explained, “We received feedback that it would be difficult for athletes to recover after reaching their peak at the Olympics.”

Ryoma Tanaka (SBC Shonan Beauty Clinic) in the men’s 66 kg class, who won the world championship held in May before the Olympics, Goki Tajima (Park 24) in the 90 kg class, and Wakaharu Tomita (over 78 kg) in the women’s class. All nine medalists including Komatsu) will participate.

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