Category Archives: Judo Competition

Move over IJF!

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As more people become disenchanted with IJF, and now EJU, the word “mafia” is starting to be associated more often with these organizations.  Coaches and players are feeling the brunt of the economic demands imposed by IJF and EJU.  We in the United States also got a taste of this “stay in the hotel we designate or else we’ll charge you a ridiculous sum of money to compete in our event” mafia mentality.  Here’s what Kent Gustavsson, a courageous coach from Sweden, has to say on the subject.  He posted his comments on EJU’s website.

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Class Warfare: the commercialization of Judo competition

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About a year ago, I discussed the direction the IJF was taking with gis.  Manufacturers were required to meet Judo industry standards (a good thing), distributors were required to pay huge fees to become official IJF sponsors, and their “IJF approved” gis had to have labels affixed to each item of the uniform.  These labels would cost the distributors $3 each, and the costs associated with sponsorship and labels would be passed on to the players (not a good thing).

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More IJF and Modern Kata

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The IJF has struck once more.  To placate the Japanese who have complained that their fighters are not seen often enough in a white gi- a crime for sure!- the top seeds will now wear white and be listed on top of each match, thus making sure they remain in white as long as they win.  Scoreboards and match sheets will have to be changed to reflect the change.  At present, I don’t know if that also means that white is now to the right of the referee or whether the placement of white and blue on the mat remains unchanged.  As always, while the IJF claims that this flip-flop is only for major IJF events, will national organization also make the change to stay “current?”  How much will this needless change cost the Judo community?

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Ode to Natalie: The cost of living the dream

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Most of us in the Judo community understand that it takes a great amount of sacrifice to be able to compete at the international level.  And it goes without saying that most American players get little or no financial support from USA Judo.  I have personal experience with the money end of Judo because my oldest daughter Valerie has been to two Olympics.  I raised the majority of the funds the first time around, and thankfully we had a sponsor the second time around.

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The Case Against Terminal Ippon

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I have often voiced my concerns that current IJF rules are undermining participation in Judo in the U.S., and perhaps in other nations as well, although I don’t have any evidence to that effect.  I’ve also touched upon from time to time how these rules are also undermining the technical development of our players.  With that in mind, I’d like to present a case for eliminating the match-ending terminal ippon.

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2011 Senior National Championships

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I just returned from Orlando, Florida, where USA Judo held its Senior and Masters National Championships.  Even though a Europe-based player of mine paid my way, and my daughter was competing, I was very reluctant to go.  Traveling by air is no longer fun.  After you have survived the inconveniences of travel and the stupidity of TSA, you then have to put up with the latest round of machinations from USA Judo and the referees.

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