lunes, 22 de diciembre de 2014


WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS JU JITSU, Aspirants -18, Juniors -21; 13th to 15th March 2015, ATHENS - HELLAS /

CAMPEONATOS MUNDIALES DE JU JITSU, Juveniles -18, Juniors -21; 13 al 15 marzo 2015.


INFORMATION / INFORMACIONhttp://www.jjif.info/fileadmin/JJIF/competition/2015/JWC_1ST_INVITATION_FOR_THE_WORLD_JU-JITSU_CHAMPIONSHIP_U18_U21_2015__1_.pdf

Ronda Rousey dice que le gustaría luchar en WWE. “¡Y sería ruda, como Roddy Piper!”

Ronda Rousey
Durante una entrevista con talkSPORT, la Campeona Mundial de Peso Gallo UFC, Ronda Rousey, expresó su interés por seguir el mismo camino que Brock Lesnar, Ken Shamrock y Dan Severn e iniciar una carrera en WWE.
Claro, sería algo que me encantaría. Estoy abierta a todos los retos”.
Rousey siempre ha dicho que es una gran fan de WWE. En agosto de este año estuvo en el backstage de SummerSlam y comentó que su acercamiento a WWE estuvo influenciado por el luchador que le inspiró su nombre de batalla:
¡Me encantaría ser ruda! No puedo tomar el nombre de ‘Rowdy’ y no serlo. Eso sería un insulto al hombre al cual le rindo homenaje: el gran Rowdy Roddy Pipper. Yo tengo que vivir de acuerdo a su legado tanto como me sea posible, así que no podría ser técnica”
Apenas en octubre pasado estuvo presente como espectadora en un evento de Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. Tommaso Ciampa sujetó a su rival, Biff Busick, y se acercó con él a Ronda, pidiéndole que le diera un raquetazo al pecho. Aunque la campeona dudó, finalmente lanzó el golpe,haciendo que el público enloqueciera.
(ARTICULO PUBLICADO EN SUPERLUCHAS)

lunes, 17 de noviembre de 2014

Masahiko Kimura Biography

The Man Who Defeated Helio Gracie

By Jim Chen M.D.

Masahiko Kimura
In 1937 Masahiko Kimura won the All Japan Championship at age 20. For the next 13 years he was undefeated before he retired.
5th Dan at age 18
Kimura (5’6", 170cm; 85kg, 187lbs) was born on September 10, 1917 in Kumamoto, Japan. At age 16, after 6 years of judo, he was promoted to 4th dan. He had defeated 6 opponents (which were all 3rd and 4th dan) in a row. In 1935 at age 18 he became the youngest ever godan (5th degree black belt) when he defeated 8 consecutive opponents at Kodokan.
Kimura 4 Lifetime Losses
In the spring of 1935 at the Kohaku Shiai (Kodokan Red-White Team Competition), Kimura defeated 8 opponents. In his 9th fight he lost to Miyajima (a student from Meiji University) by Haraigoshi.
In May of 1935 Kimura fought Kenichiro Osawa at the 5th dan division championship. Kimura attacked with an Ouchigari to Osotogari combination. Osawa countered Kimura with such force that Kimura suffered a concussion.
In his second match at the 5th dan championship he fought Kenshiro Abe (5'5"’, 168cm; 156lbs, 71kg). Abe was so skillful that Kimura felt as if he was fighting a shadow. Every throw he tried (Osoto, Seoi) had no effect at all. Abe countered with Uchimata, Hanegoshi, and Sasae tsurikomi ashi. He was so quick and powerful that Kimura was thrown off balance many times. There was no question that Abe had beaten Kimura squarely. Abe went on to win the 5th dan division.
In the fall of 1935, Kohaku shiai 5th dan division Kimura beat his first two opponents with ease. His third opponent was Hideo Yamamoto (165 cm, 5'4"; 65kg, 143 lbs; 24 years old). Kimura moved forward and walked right into a Deashiharai which scored a Waza-ari. After this he tried to lead with his opposite foot. However, Yamamoto was skillful with both sides and caught Kimura for Ippon with Kouchigari. Yamamoto continued to defeat 4 more opponents.
Wushijima, two time All Japan ChampionWushijima, two time All Japan Champion
Revenge Against Abe, Osawa, and Yamamoto
Kimura was extremely disappointed with his four losses in 1935. He considered quitting the sport, but through the advice and encouragement of his best friends Funeyama and Kai he began training with a new found determination. All through the nights he practiced against a tree to perfect his special Osotogari. After six months his waza was so sharp that a daily randori at Kodokan would result in 10 people with concussions. It was not unusual for his opponents to request "no osotogari" before practice.
Kimura met Osawa at the Metropolitan Police Dojo. Here he threw Osawa for Ippon with ease. Kimura met Abe at Kodokan and asked him to randori. Abe gracefully accepted. The 500 mat dojo was silent except for the two judoka. During the 20 minute practice Abe was thrown many times with Seoinage, Osotogari, and Ouchigari. Disgusted Abe eventually quit. Wushijima sensei arranged a match for Hideo Yamamoto and Kimura at Mitsubishi Dojo in Tokyo. Yamamoto was no match for the much improved Kimura and lost by Ude-garami.
All-Japan Champion (1937-1939)
In October 1935 Kimura won his first major title, the All-Japan Collegiate Championships. He won the tournament with Deashi Harai, Ude-garami, Osoto-otoshi, Osoto-gari, Ude-garami, and Kuzure-Kamishiho-gatame. At the very same tournament 2 years later (the tournament was held every two years) Kimura again won in an impressive fashion. His six wins were with Osotogari (three times), Ude-garami, Kuzure-Kamishiho-Gatame, and Ippon Seoinage. Kimura was the first student allowed to compete in the professional division at the All Japan Judo Championships held in October 1937.
Kimura defeated his first two opponents here with Osotogari. Eventually he made his way to the finals against Masayuki Nakajima (5th dan , 27 years old, 170cm, 82kg), a two time champion. In the first 15 minutes of the 40 minute match neither scored a decisive point. In the second period Kimura scored a Waza-ari with Ipponseoinage. Kimura had felt he had won the match and relaxed ever so slightly. Nakajima reacted immediately with left Ken-ken Uchimata and also scored. The second period ended with the two at a draw with waza-aris. In the last 10 minute period Nakajima was taken down where Kimura applied Kuzure-Kamishiho-Gatame and won the championship.
After the victory Kimura slapped his face to make sure he wasn't dreaming. That night he had a very large meal of 13 bowls of rice. When reporters questioned Kimura about his big win he told them that winning his first All Japan Title was his most memorable experience. Even the night after the tournament Kimura was again training. He did 500 push ups, bunny hop 1km, and 500 karate chops before he went to bed. He did not sleep well that evening. Rather he kept reliving the moments of his championship match. He was troubled by the fact that he had lost a waza-ari by ken ken Uchimata. He felt this could have easily been ruled ippon in the other fighter's favor. Therefore Kimura concluded that to maintain his title for the next 10 years he would have to train harder than the other judoka. Kimura trained 9 hours a day and did 1000 push-ups compared to 3-4 hours and 300 push ups of his rivals.
Kimura was also victorious at the All Japan Championships held on October 16-17, 1938 at Kodokan. In the preliminary round Kimura won with Ouchigari for ippon. In the Semi-final he fought Tashiro, who was known for his kanibasami. Tashiro tried his kanibasami many times but with no effect. Kimura attacked with a powerful osotogari which injured Tashiro's right shoulder. In the final match Kimura met Ogawa (180cm 110kg). Ogawa had defeated the runner-up from last year Nakajima by decision. Ogawa attacked with the Uchimata unsuccessfully, but both of them fell to the mat. Kimura immediately moved to pin Ogawa with Kuzure-kamishiho-gatame..
At the 1939 All Japan Championships Kimura won with Osoto-gari, Osoto-otoshi, Osoto-makikomi, and Tsuri-komi goshi. In the Semifinal round he defeated Ochi 5th dan with Osoto-otoshi. In the final match he fought Tokizane 5th dan. Kimura told Tokizane before the match that he was going to throw him with Osoto-gari. During the fight Tokizane was extremelly defensive. Kimura circumvented the defenses with a Osoto-gari to Osoto-otoshi combination. With this last victory Kimura had won the last 3 consecutive All Japan Championships and was awarded with the Championship Flag. Kimura is the only person in the world to ever possess the flag.
Kimura at age 24Kimura at age 24 with the Emperor's tanto gift after winning the Ten-Ran Shiai
Ten-Ran Shiai 1940
The Ten-Ran shiai was a special tournament held in the presence of the Japanese Emperor. There were 52 competitors in the amateur group and 32 professionals. Isamu Fujiwara 5th dan won the amateur defeating Yasuichi Matsumoto 5th dan, one of Kimura's toughest rivals, with left uchimata. Kimura defeated his first three opponents with Ushirogoshi, Osotogari, and Osotootoshi. In the semi-final Kimura met Iwao Hirosei 5th dan (165 cm, 5'4"; 82kg, 180lbs) for the third time. In the previous two matches Kimura had won by wazaris with Osotogari. Hirosei, who was All Japan champion in 1941 (Kimura was in the Army) was well known for his Right and Lefty HaraiGoshi. Kimuras first 5 attempts of Osotogari were unsuccessful. Finally on the sixth try Kimura broke Hiroseis defences with a Osotogari to osotootoshi combination. Takahiko Ishikawa 5th dan was Kimura's final round opponent. In the two previous meetings Kimura had won with Osotogari and Tsurikomi goshi for ippons. This time Ishikawa only lasted 42 seconds when he was thrown with Ippon-Seoinage for ippon.
1947 West Japan Judo Championship
In the preliminary round Kimura defeated Toshiro Daigo, 5th dan (All Japan Champion 1951, 1954, current 9th dan, 179cm, 5'11"; 90kg, 198lbs) with Osoto-gari to Kuzure-kamishiho-gatame. To determine a final champion a round robin was set up between Masahiko Kimura (All Japan Champion 1937, 1938, 1939, 1949), Yasuichi Matsumoto (184cm, 6'11/2", 84kg, 184 lbs. All Japan Champion 1948), and Yoshihiko Yoshimatsu (All Japan Champion 1952, 1953, 1955, 180cm, 5'11"; 115kg, 253lbs). Kimura beat Matsumoto by decision over two overtimes. Matsumoto lost to Yoshimatsu by Tateshiho-gatame. Kimura defeated Yoshimatsu with ippon-seoinage. His award for the tournament was the equivalent of 10,000 US Dollars.
Kimura throwing Itoh
Kimura throwing Tokuharu Itoh (1949)
1949 All Japan Judo Championships
At age 32 Kimura competed in his last All Japan. In his first match he defeated the champion of the East Japan Judo Championships Hatori 5th dan (170cm, 5'6"; 110kg, 242 lbs) with Ude-garami. Next, he beat Yoshimi Osawa 5th dan (current 9th dan, 165cm, 5'4"; 68kg, 150 lbs) with Kuzure-kamishiho-gatame. Osawa was considered to be one of judo's best technicians. Osawa had also defeated Matsumoto by uranage in a 1948 Fukoka meet. He won his semi-final match by decision (Ippon-seoinage, however out of bounds) over Itoh 7th dan (190cm, 6'4"; 100kg, 220lbs) who was runner-up in 1934 and 1948. Takahiko Ishikawa was set to fight Kimura in the finals for the fourth time. The fight lasted through three overtimes with neither scoring the minimum wazari. Eventually Mifune, 10th dan, declared both of them champions. Ishikawa went on to win the title in 1950, was runner up in 1952, and 3rd in 1951, 1953 at age 36. Ishikawa sensei was truly a great fighter who was still dominating through his mid 30's.
Kimura (top) applying the ude garami (bent arm lock) to Helio Gracie in their match in Brazil in 1951.
Kimura (top) applying the ude garami to defeat Helio Gracie in their match in Brazil in 1951.
Ultimate Fight in Brazil 1951
In July 1951 Kimura and two other fellow Japanese Judoka were asked to compete in Brazil. Kimura at age 34 was accompanied by a 240 pound (110kg) college champion Yamaguchi (6th degree black belt at the time) and Kado (5th degree black belt). It was to be a Judo/Jiu-jitsu fight.
Kado accepted a challenge from Helio Gracie -- Brazilian champion for 20 years. The loser was determined by tapping out due to a choke or armbar, or by being knocked out of commission. Ippon (clean powerful throws) or osaekomi (pinning) would have no effect on the results of competition. During Kado's fight he threw Gracie several times. Gracie, who was in excellent condition, demonstrated ukemi, breaking the throws with little injury. After 10 minutes of frustration, Kado decided to apply a choke. However, the masterful Gracie applied his own choke rendering Kado unconscious. With Kado's passing-out, Gracie was declared the winner and became a national hero of Brazil!
Weeks later, Gracie challenged the remaining two team members, either Yamaguchi or Kimura, to a match. Yamaguchi refused for fear of injury, however Kimura accepted the challenge. There were 20,000 spectators present. A coffin was brought in by Gracie's followers. Presumably, Kimura was to be killed by Gracie. On the day of the match, the President and Vice President of Brazil attended at ringside.
During the fight, Kimura threw Gracie repeatedly with ippon-seoinage (one arm shoulder throw), osotogari (major outer reap), and haraigoshi (sweeping hip/loin). He also included painful suffocating grappling techniques such as kuzure-kamishiho-gatame (modified upper four corner hold), kesa-gatame (scarf hold), sankaku-gatame (triangle hold). Gracie proved to be a formidable opponent refusing to surrender after 12 minutes of grueling fight. Kimura then took Gracie down with an osotogari followed by kuzure-kamishiho-gatame. During the battle that followed, Gracie bridged out of the pin and right into Kimura's ude-garami (chicken-wing arm lock). The arm bar must have been painful but when Gracie refused to surrender, Kimura applied yet more pressure, and as a result Gracie suffered a broken left elbow.
Even with the broken elbow, Gracie still refused to give up, so his corner "threw in the towel". Kimura was declared the winner by TKO. Although Kimura won the actual fight, it was acknowledged that Gracie had great fighting spirit and will. Kimura later applauded Gracie's tremendous will to win.
Kimura Was Choked Into Unconsciousness
Kimura joined the Japanese Army in January 1943. Through special arrangement, he was allowed to teach Judo once a week at Asakura High School. Kimura was known to be a heavy drinker. One day before class, he drank up to three liters of sake. At the end of session, he taught Shime-Waza. Initially, he demonstrated the techniques, then he allowed the students to choke him. Since he was somewhat intoxicated, he was choked into unconsciousness by the student. Without defense, even Judo greats can be chocked into unconsciousness by a white belt student.
Professional Judo
Shortly after defending his All Japan Judo title in 1949, Kimura accepted the position as chief Judo instructor for the metropolitan police in Tokyo. The commencement of the position would begin in April 1950.
In February 1950, Wushijima sensei contacted Kimura, inviting him to participate in "professional Judo". Kimura accepted because he felt in debt to the generosity of his sensei. Also, Kimura's wife was sick from tuberculosis and Kimura needed money for medicine. In total, 32 Judoka joined the undertaking. Kimura became the first professional Judo champion by defeating Yamaguchi with Ippon Seoinage. However, after a short-lived existence, the endeavor failed, due to a lack of business acumen.
During this crisis, which included no income from professional Judo and his wife's illness, Kimura and two other Judokas decided to have a Professional Judo tour in Hawaii.
While touring in Hawaii, Kimura was able to buy Streptomycine and PAS for his wife. Eventually, she recovered from TB. They had a happy marriage and raised their son and daughter.
The Duel of the Century
Kimura with Mas Oyama
Kimura on left with the karate master Mas Oyama on the right
Rikidozan was considered to be the greatest professional wrestler in Japan. He quit Sumo after achieving Seki-Waki, third highest rank. After WWII, he was involved in many street fights and was defeated once by a wrestler named Harold Sakada . Within two years training in Hawaii, Rikidozan became the best professional wrestler in Japan. He was famous for karate chopping, yet he received only brief training by Mas Oyama. It was decided that the "Duel of the Century" was to be held between Kimura and Rikidozan on December 25, 1954. Before the fight, Kimura told reporters that professional wrestling was show business, not real fights.
The "choreography" was decided by Kimura, Rikidozan, and Koto. Kimura would allow Rikidozan to attack with karate chop, and he would throw Rikidozan with Judo. The first fight would end in a draw. After that, they would each win one, on a rotation basis. This Duel of the Century was scheduled for 60 minutes. After 15 minutes, Rikidozan tried to attack with karate chop. Kimura signaled, "Be my guest." Instead of a phony chop to the chest, Rikidozan chopped to the neck, stunning Kimura. Rikidozan, wearing boots, then kicked Kimura's head. Kimura was KOed.
Hours later, Kimura's gangster supporters offered to kill Rikidozan. Mas Oyama was among the volunteers. (Kimura was a mentor and good friend.)
Kimura declined the offer to avoid unnecessary killing. Through meditation, the "death" that appeared in his head signified that Rikidozan would someday die violently. Ten years later, Rikidozan was killed by a small-time gangster, with a tanto, in a bar.
Valetudo in Brazil 1959
Kimura demonstrating Osotogari
Kimura went to Brazil in 1959 to have his last Professional Judo/Wrestling tour. He was challenged by Aldemar Santana. Santana was champion of Gracie Jiujitsu, Capoeira, and boxing. He was 27 years old, 6 feet and 205 lbs. In 1958, Santana knocked out Helio Gracie in a fight lasting 3 hours 45 minutes. Kimura threw Santana with Seoinage, Hanegoshi, Osotogari; then, he applied Ude-garami, and won the match.
Shortly after, Santana challenged Kimura to have a rematch for Vale-tudo. (Everything goes, as it is equivalent to Ultimate Fighting Championship.)
On the day of the competition, there were 10,000 spectators present. From the beginning, Kimura realized that Santana punched and kicked much better. The only chance was newaza. Kimura made a mistake, and tried to throw Seoinage. Since both of them were soaked in sweat, without Judogis, Kimura fell to the mat. Santana followed with a straight punch and head-butt to Kimura's stomach, not once or twice, but three times. Kimura was stunned; however, he maintained his nerve and waited for his chance to counter. When Santana tried to head-butt for the fourth time, Kimura punched Santana's forehead-between the eyes-with all his strength. Santana, his face covered in blood, retreated.
Kimura got up from the mat and chased Santana. The fight lasted for 40 minutes with a draw, as both of them were exhausted, unable to do complete damage. Kimura was 42 years old at the time.
Masahiko Kimura
Shichidan from Age 30 to 75
Kimura returned to teach Judo at Tokushoku University in 1960. He trained a few world-class Judokas, Douglas Rogers (Canadian, silver-medalist at Tokyo Olympics), Masaki Nishimura (bronze-medalist at Munich Olympics), and Kaneo Iwatsuri (All Japan champion 1970). His shichidan rank was frozen after disputes with Kodokan over becoming a professional wrestler, refusal to return the All Japan Judo Championship Flag (Kimura was told that he could keep the flag if he could win three consecutive championship), and issuing dan ranks while in Brazil.
Kimura died of lung cancer at age 75. Still hospitalized, shortly after surgery, he had started to do push-ups.


Kimura demonstrating osotogari
Kimura demonstrating osotogari

JudoInfo.com note
This previously unpublished article was put online for the first time by the Judo Information Site on August 6, 2001, with the permission of the author Jim Chen, M.D.. Information for the article comes from the following sources: Ghost of Judo (Kimura's first autobiography published in 1969), My Judo (Kimura's second autobiography published in 1985), Judo 100 Year History (two different books), Secret Documents of Japanese Judo (published in 1972 by Koto, one of the best Judo historians), Kindai Judo and Karate Marching into 21st Century by Mas Oyama.
Helio Gracie recently described his performance in the 1951 fight with Kimura as "like a kid, helpless against Kimura" (on the Japanese documentary History of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu). As Carlos Gracie reportedly said after the fight (according to Historia do Jiu-Jitsu atraves dos Tempos, citing Rorion Gracie), "Helio nunca esperava derrotar Kimura. A razão para esta luta era ver como Kimura poderia supera-lo tecnicamente" [Helio never expected to win. The reason for the fight was to see how Kimura would be able to overcome him technically]. Helio Gracie also admitted in an interview that during the fight he was choked unconscious and would have died if Kimura had not released the choke.
Toshiro Daigo: "I had the opportunity to fight Kimura once at the 1947 Kyushu vs. Kansai individual meet... he let me attack him in the beginning, but threw me with Osoto-gari and pinned me. He was a powerful player."
Kimura pinning Osawa
Kimura pinning Yoshimi Osawa (1949)
Yoshimi Osawa: "I competed against Kimura at the 1949 All-Japan, his last All Japan facing him in the second round, he beat me with Kuzure-kamishiho gatame. ...I remember during practice sessions he would regularly throw me outside the mat onto the hardwood floors."
Japanese famous writer Tomita (son of Tomita, 8th dan -- one of the four Guardians in the early Kodokan) praised Kimura as the best Judo player in the Showa era. Tomita wrote "Kimura No mae Ni Kimura Naku, Kimura No Ato Ni Kimura Nashi." Meaning: there never was a player like Kimura before or since.
For more information on Masahiko Kimura please see this excerpt from "My Judo" by Masahiko Kimura, another biography by Jim Chen with more photos, the latest articleby Jim Chen, or see the videos of the Gracie match. Also read the Interview with Helio Gracie where he reveals that Kimura had choked him unconscious.

International Judo Federation Prohibits Judo Athletes To Compete in BJJ & other Grappling Competitions


International Judo Federation Prohibits Judo Athletes To Compete in BJJ & other Grappling Competitions

The IJF International Judo Federation has just sent an email to all its official schools worldwide with a warning: ranked Judo athletes may not participate in other grappling competitions.
The email comes from the Federation president with the attachment coming from the International Judo Federation.
Ranked Judo athletes such as Travis Stevens (Judo Olympian) or Leonardo Leite (Pan AM Judo Champion) have participated in major BJJ tournaments such as Copa Podio, Worlds or Jiu-Jitsu world expo. This would mean that with this rule, they may no longer do that.
Ther IJF has also developed a circuit of Judo Ne Waza tournaments which basically follow very similar rules as BJJ with a focus on ground fighting. This is the same principle that FILA (International Wresting Federation) did with Grappling and their ‘Gi Grappling’ (sic).

judo ijf
Over the years, the rules in sport Judo have been changed again and again. The IJF’s rationale for every change they do is to make Judo more spectator friendly therefore easier to market. However, any smart person can easily see that the changes in rules just kept making Judo more and more unfriendly to BJJ and wrestling athletes who join Judo competitions. One of the last changes they did was making it illegal to grab the pants or the legs and warranting an immediate disqualification. This automatically set aside original judo moves like morote-gari (double leg take down), kuchiki daoshi and kibisu gaeshi (ankle pick and cross ankle pick), sukuinage (scooping throw). These were legitimate moves and more importantly, they ARE Judo moves despite what the IJF says.
It seems that the IJF are disturbed by the fact that BJJ athletes and wrestlers perform well and beat some world class Judo athletes.
The IJF is taking Judo to a different direction, not the one that Sensei Jigoro Kano intended it to be.
Every year, Jiu-Jitsu evolves with new innovations in techniques. In Judo, every year there are new rules prohibiting grips, grabs and Judokas can do less and less because of the rules imposed by the IJF.
if you do Judo and BJJ, you shouldn’t feel the need to participate in that age old argument on which is better. Judo and BJJ are two sides of the same coin, yin and yang. 

  • Sylvain Galibert ·  Top Commenter
    This is an outrage! The IJF does not own the athletes who compete in Judo.
    • Danielle Wilson · Works at Indie Acting Studio
      Ive been trying BJJ for as long as I have been training Judo. No one owns me. And I am not sponsored by anyone. I will compete when and where I want. Honesty with all of the rule changes in Judo, I'd rather compete in BJJ tournaments anyway.
      • Daniel Waluyo Sejati · Universitas Mulawarman
        Hahhaa looks like the IJF had turned into worldwide mcdojo
        • Dennis Hayes
          I think its great and I hope its true. The IJF has been more worried about the spectators than the participants for years, this is just another showing of that. Well, when all the participants walk away, who's gonna spectate then?
          • Dennis Hayes
            Let them keep it up. They'll have no one to blame but themselves when everyone is gone
            • Sylvain Galibert ·  Top Commenter
              As a Judoka, I don't want athletes to go away from Judo, I want more people to learn Judo and improve themselves through Judo. So I want a strong healthy federation that promotes Judo and judo value, and doesn't overstep it's boundaries. Contest rules? Their call.

              Deciding what sports Judokas can or can not engage in on their own free time? Who the fuck do they think they are?
            • Michael Brown ·  Top Commenter · Software Engineer at Lockheed Martin
              Sylvain Galibert Who do they think they are Sylvain? They are exactly who we as Judoka allowed them to be. First it was hansukemake if you initiated an attack invovling gripping below the belt...we said...OK....then they outlawed below the belt grips entirely....we said...OK...now we cannot touch the pants until uke's legs are both on the ground and they are on their backs...(because of course no one uses their legs to attack and defend while fighting from their back)...and techniques like the omaplata are no longer in play...because they attack the shoulder...never mind that is exactly what the Kimura does in practice and everyone knows it. The only thing that can save Judo now is Free Style Judo or people like Travis telling the IJF to go screw themselves.
            • Sylvain Galibert ·  Top Commenter
              Michael Brown They are in charge of establishing the rules for Judo contests. I hate the fact that you can be disqualified for touching your opponent's pants, but I recognize that contest rules are for them to decide. They put up the events, and they have to set the rules and we have to respect that fact.

              Trying to dictate what athletes do in their spare time and forbidding them to take part in other sports outside of Judo is where they are crossing the line.
          • Christopher Davies · Sir Bernard Lovell School
            It's not only Judo that has this sort of nonsense, other sports try this as well. Most practitioners realise this is nothing more than control measures and not about widening participation. NGB's and government sports/funding bodies are porobably complicit with these types of measures so they can justify themselves and their funding programmes.
            • James Lloyd · Senior Nuclear Quality Engineer at Urenco Group
              Technically the IJF doesn't have individual "schools", it is the International Governing Body and so it only dictates rules etc to International competitors and the various NGBs, such as USA Judo, BUT ... I'm curious how this will filter down into the NGBs. This is a bad move, very bad move on the part of the IJF.
              • Joshua McDonald · San Francisco State University
                Judo athletes can no longer compete in marathons, dance competitions or hot dog eating competitions, also thy shall not covet ones wife's 2 days before the sabath .. prohibited by IJF
                • Bill Hosken · Colorado Springs, Colorado
                  They are killing there sport by doing this !
                  They are shooting themselves in the foot !
                  I know ranked judo competitors that will quit because of this .
                  • Rodrigo Cabanillas ·  Top Commenter · Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora
                    IJF thinking like its the UFC, this is outrageous
                    • Sylvain Galibert ·  Top Commenter
                      The UFC pays its fighters. They have contracts and athletes are compensated. Further, the UFC does not automatically forbid its fighters to compete in non MMA events. We have had several UFC fighters entering BJJ competitions such as Metamoris.

                      Are Judokas employees of the IJF? Nope.