Level Up: How Judo’s Image is About to Get a Major Upgrade, Starting with the Paris Olympics

Revolutionizing Judo: A Shift in Perception

As a judoka, I recall feeling exhausted during practice sessions. Despite my efforts, I lost more matches than I won, weighing around 70kg. The weight divisions at the time included light, middle, heavy, and open weights, which was the case until the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

The open-heavyweight world champion, Dutchman Geesink, left a lasting impression on me. Despite his large build, he moved with a lithe demeanor, jumping around with ease. My perception of the Dutch was that they were huge, which was later confirmed during my visit to the Netherlands. The men and women there were indeed tall, with many having short hair and a less defined waistline.

Watching the TV coverage of the Paris Olympics, I noticed a significant change in the sport. Unlike previous judo competitions, many bouts seemed dull, despite the increased pace. I was also disappointed to see athletes relying on boxing-like jumping kicks instead of the traditional “sliding kicks”.

Athletes of all levels were quick to grab the gi, but I was concerned that their hands often touched “somewhere on the gi” rather than the traditional “collar and sleeves”. The competitions moved rapidly, but it was frustrating to see athletes backing off due to their steps not reaching their opponents. As an outsider, I acknowledge that my opinion may not be universally accepted.

I believe the issue lies in the fact that the sport has become overly detailed and lost its original essence. The “softness”, “flow”, “god”, and “sharpness” that judo once embodied have been lost, replaced by rushed competitions that resemble a different sport altogether.