Judo-Ron 75-Critical Reflection of Judo Competition (Shiai)

7/29/2019 Judo-Ron 75-Critical Reflection of Judo Competition (Shiai)

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Zuihitsu-Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Dsormeaux

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Judo- Ron 75: Critical Reflection of Judo Competition (Shiai)

After viewing the 2013 World Judo (senior) Championships in Rio, I decided to conduct apersonal and critical reflection about the current judo concepts of Shiai and Shiai participation.

This essay is the summary of my observations. These are outlined via two perspectives: a

managerial approach and a technical outlook.

MANAGEMENT APPROACH

Definition

The Shiai as defined in the Kodokan New Japanese-English Dictionaryiconsists in a judo match

or bout generally governed by specific rules for the purpose of awarding points and determining

a winner. The Shiai results of a completed match are determined by the referees as a win, a

loss or a draw. It is to be noted that at the present, the general terms for rules, regulations and

guidelines to be followed by both competitors and referees are different between the Kodokan

and the International Judo Federation (IJF). For national and international competitions as well

as for Olympics, the IJF rules are followed.

It is generally agreed that one of the criteria used to declare a winner of a match is based on

the superior performance. Other criteria include the maintaining of good posture and using

good form when attacking or defending. Penalties in the form of Shido are levied against a

competitor who has committed some light infringement of the rules during a match. Three

warnings or calls of Shido can be accumulated before the contestant is disqualified by the

award of Hansoku Gachi (win by decision for serious violation made by the opponent or simply

said: Hansoku make).


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Recent statistics from Rio

There are currently 123 countries affiliated with the IJF. 680 world class competitors were

registered for the event. Japan, Brazil, Georgia, Cuba and Frances best were lined up with the

38 countries that were represented by a delegation of athletes that passed the preliminaries.

Canada reached the 25th

rank with a fifth place in the individual overall standing with the

crowning of Catherine Roberge who took the fifth position in the womens division.

During the week, in the assigned 13 divisions of bouts, we were able to admire the winners who

advanced with their scoring techniques valued as Ippon for approximately 62%, 15% Waza-ari,

and 10% for Yuko. Matches were lost by Hansoku make for 2% principally awarded fordefensive stances and evasive tactics or leg grabs. 3% of the matches were extended beyond

their five minutes duration for the golden score. In Katame waza or ground work, we witnessed

30 plus hold-downs, 6 strangles and 5 arm locks.

Judo exploitation

Pursuing their mission, the IJF organisers ensured that judo competition maintained a

continuous showcase on the world sport scene. The 2013 Rio event was not an exception, it

was massively covered by the media with 500 plus reporters on site and multi-TV channels

chains who distributed their timely information world-wide.

With this large coverage by the Mass media and the energy displayed by the IJF officials during

the last decade, judo has become more popular than ever before. Thanks to the IJF

determination, savoir-faire and resources, we are partially gaining the benefits from additional

financial downfalls. The increased visibility and the open publicity are bound to attract more

future judoka to the dojos doorsteps.

Recto/Verso

We have to be thankful to the dynamism of IJF to organize and propel judo into the forefront

and compete for the attention once belonging to other spectator sports. In doing so, it secured

substantial financial revenues from which some partial amount and material assistances are to

be redistributed amongst the needed countries and federations. This return on investments is

potentially attracting judo enthusiasts to a greater number of cities and, institutions. In the

meantime, societies at large and selected institutions have discovered that judo by being in the

realm of spectator sports can be managed by professionals and become a sustainable financial

or political business.


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Dependences

Judo delegations and athletes are now subjected to the directives and rules of international

institutions and government policies affecting inter-relationships and groupings of nations. Judo

entities are no longer immune from the financial or political pressures being exercised by those

parties.

Athletes, judo training and the development of competitive proficiencies are now subjected to

different criteria for selection, training and financing and travel control of judoka through the

respective national development programs, legislation and international lobby groups and

research institutions.

Athletes performance and standing levels are debated into corporate board rooms, publicisedonto the market places in order to secure sponsorships and benefactors. Performance data are

even surfacing in some financial betting/gambling parlours. Financial overtures of dissimilar

forms are appearing here and there. There are even vague reports circulating which would

indicate that some countries officials and or associates may have attempted to bribe

officials/athletes in the past in order to influence the final decision making and/or alter possible

team compositions. (LEsprit du Judo Actualit En Bref of 06 Sept 2013 made reference to a possible Cuban-

Georgian affair)

Teachers Dilemma

There are thousands of judo teachers devoted to the transmission of judo knowledge and skills.

Teaching is a rewarding yet complicated venture. Several generations of judo teachers or Sensei

are now embattled to follow their primary roles as teachers and educators which aim to

transmit the original judo values, For many, they are struggling with multiple roles by having to

simultaneously cope with being official coaches, administrators, promoters, supervisors and

trainers of specialised and gifted athletes.

With the accrued visibility offered by competitive judo, there are constant adjustments to the

rules and the recent changes forced a modification to the teaching of the Gokyo as a dozen or

so of the effective techniques were eliminated from the normal repertoire in an attempt to

discard the non-original waza. Furthermore, the strong attraction towards the competitive

aspects of judo is overwhelming; the monetary rewards and the enhanced athletes status of

becoming a part of the elite group are incentives that cannot be discarded. As a consequence, it

appears that the other social-educational aspects of the judo curriculum are slowly parting

from the original intents of its founder Jigoro Kano.


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The Business of judo

By default, various established judo programs are slowly disappearing or merging towards

becoming new activities entirely governed by outside entities of national and international

tenures seeking to maximize their investment into the OWN THE PODIUM and GO FOR

GOLD platforms.

We have to be aware that there is an imminent danger that the coexistence between the

teaching of ancestral values and the new competitive thrusts will collapse and change the

veracity of judo as an art and physical education system forever.

Judo competitions are an essential part of the total training program yet, viewed as an exclusive

sector embedded with spectator sport they are at risk of becoming the repository of semi-

professional and professional athletes camouflaged under the guise of military services, sports

monitors and other professions which can financially support the athletes and free them of

other responsibilities thus permitting privileged access to additional support services and

specialized entourages. With the growing differences in training facilities, the equality and

balance are seriously placed in jeopardy. Attached and dedicated judoka risk that sooner or

later they will become the slave or the gladiator of their patrons. The stakes associated with

winning or losing will surely add to the danger of becoming a high-risk, high-financial business

and a political tool to the stable masters.

Already, in less than a decade, the world judo competitions and the establishment of the World

ranking system for athletes have laid the foundations of a new economy that has transformed

some good athletes into stars, adored and nurtured by sponsors for the assets they represent

and esteemed by both local supporters and the national public alike.

Elitism and our heroes

One is to wonder if this marriage will ever last. Taking a quick pulse at the Canadian scene, one

has to dig deep to find a lasting alliance between the elite judoka and the public. Over theyears, our current elite competitors and high performance team have no doubts endured

monumental sacrifices in their quest for the podium. They have stretched the limits of their

physical and mental potential to achieve their best. Yet, most are still unknown entities outside

the immediate circles of the judo family. Current names such as: Stephanie Tremblay,

Alexander Emond, Antoine Valois Fortier, Amy Cotton, Catherine Roberge, Kelita Zupancic,

Joliane Melanon, Nicholas Triton, Sergio Passoa, Frazer Will, Michael Popiel, Marie Helene

Chisholm and Sasha Mehmedic are nowhere mentioned in the public domain yet they all merit

our recognition for their perseverance and endurance, I lament that for too many of judoka,


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they are still mysterious figures roaming the tatamis as they remain anonymous to the general

public.

Longevity

Out of the current World Ranking List of judoka considered as front runners, with a few

exceptions who became national heroes in their own countries, it is expected that only five to

10% will endure the Spartan regime demanded of the first division of Judoka. Most of the

others meanwhile, will not last to participate in the next World Championships nor will they be

seen on the next Olympics podium.

I doubt who will remember the names of the current best judo woman competitors of the day.

The names of: Menzes, Kelmendi, Pavia, Polling, Gerbi, Zupancic, Aguiar and Altreman are theydestined for the archives? Maybe the same scenario can be envisaged for the best male

athletes that are: Takato, Davaadorj, Sainjargal, Tchnikishvili, Mamadov and Riner?

The public will decide at the appropriate time if they are to be especially recognized and

elevated as National Icons. What will these fine judoka become when they try to reintegrate

with the day to day routine of the society? What use will be made of their talents or

accomplishments? Will the current sponsors and advertisers react favourably to their changes

of status or will they redefine their true worth as a business tools to attract a diversified and

definitive clientele or discard them as non-profitableto their financial interests? The future is

yet to be defined.

Avoiding the dark side

There is a possible dark side attached to the growth and the glitter associated with the judo

thrilling spectacle offered by the high level competition circuits. There will be wins yes and the

ranking systems will persist. To be ranked at the top will soon become an obsession and the

attribution of a financial reward will likely tame the code of conduct to a point where winning

at all cost and by all means will prevail over the display of technical prowess.

As we walk the path towards glory, we will soon be tempted by the realm of deception,subterfuge and cheating for the sake of winning. We are not exempt from poor display of fair

play: doping, intimidation, violence, corruption and match fixing and other deceptive forms of

trickery which threaten most other sports. Contrary to widespread belief, it is not only

professional sports that are targeted. These new anti-social behaviours are rampant and

present a considerable obstacle to guarantee fair play and honourable realization of the victory.


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These new behavioural tendencies are bound to raise serious ethical issues that will have

ramifications into the future economic support of judo activities and affect the social culture

that defines them.

Adjusting to the new rules

The more negative values such as easy money, victory at all cost and the commercialisation of

athletes are in need of a serious analysis by the authorities. Let us not forget that the Judo

philosophy and values being offered to our society are comprised of a set of powerful virtues

that go beyond the fair play and respect for others.

In recent years, there has been several World Conferences to incite governments to worktogether towards the development of sports policies concerning fair play and adapt them to

current days challenges. Canada and several other countries are now devoting additional

resources to respond to this call for action. The Canadian Judo Federation (JUDO CANADA) is an

active player in the development and formulation of such participative policies. To ensure

equality in enforcement, one of the forthcoming tasks will be to ensure that the emerging

policies are implemented world-wide and involve the collaboration of all the IJF associated

federations.

As new policies need to be understood to be carried out, there is an additional need to focus on

the education of the principal groups having as a main interest the success of all judo activities.

As such, athletes, coaches, trainers, officials, families and peers need to be appraised of their

different roles and responsibilities.

Governmental support

To make judo a more accessible and viable activity, there is a need to develop a stronger

partnership with added benefactors who share our common interest of forming better citizen.

We often lament that Public funds are never sufficient. To maximize their use, we need to make

priorities and define the areas of greater need. There are choices we can make: sponsor major

events, make more investments in the infrastructure and equipment, provide assistance to

local initiatives or spend more efforts towards the reinforcement of the teaching cadre.

Considering the current inflation rates, we have to be careful not to impose additional financial

burden to all those seeking to pursue their judo-education or embark upon the competition

route.


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Associations and Federation responsibilities

As beneficiaries of the specialized talents identified in dojo and other training establishments,

Judo federations in concert with other educational institutions need to recruit and train more

teachers in order to regionalize training centres and reduce the cost of the judokas relocation

and simultaneously they should offer more diversified venues and programs to facilitate greater

exchanges with international coaches, other athletes and champions.

In support of the athletes development, federations need to look after their Senseis cadre and

grant them easier access to research and development tools. Seminars and clinics need not be

held for revenue making purposes but offered for the development of responsible instructors,

teachers and athletes. Furthermore, it needs to conceive supplementary financial assistance

and develop more adaptable long- term education programs in order to nurture the muchneeded judo expertise over a longer term.

TACTICAL OUTLOOK

General observations about selected combat strategies

In general, when watching the videos of the Championships, I confirmed my understanding thatat this level of competition, the need to win is greater and the risk taking is very low. Individual

and national standings were obviously at stake. There were beautiful Ippon acquired from both

standing and ground work. Nevertheless, I was somewhat taken aback by the number of

occurrences showing one or both contestants resorting to defensive tactics that would keep

their opponent at arms-length thus avoiding to control the critical center space. Here are some

examples of this attitude: grip fighting, patty cake gestures, wrist and finger locks, agitating and

poking hands, two sided grip with no follow-up, head leaning against head, indecision to go on

the offense when the opportunity was there both in Tachi Waza or Katame waza etc.

Most opponents spent the first few minutes trying to secure his or her kumi-kata without really

having an effective grip. As soon as they were able to bend the opponent forward, most

combatants began their low engagement with much of their weight forward which restricted

their own displacement. Proper Shizen-tai or posturing was mostly absent.

The majority of players tried to slowdown the opponent and restricts their maneuverability to

either sides and attempted to gain sufficient tactical times lapse to secure a break away from a

potential risky and difficult situation.


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There was very little movement to prepare the techniques and gain the necessary advantage to

launch a decisive waza. There was no evident tactic used for the Sen, Sen- no- Sen nor the Go-

no- Sen maneuvers. Instead of developing the Debana (opportunity) by moving about andmaking use of the ensuing Kuzushi to be pursue with the proper Tai-Sabaki or quick entrance

into the Kake, most opponents acted in extremis to move under the opponent and make use of

ill-defined lever-action.

Winning versus securing technical superiority

There were too many incidents or actions performed for the exclusive purpose of strategic

stalling. Shido were awarded in large quantities indicating either a misinterpretation of the

rules by the new players or used as strategic weapon by the more experienced fighters who

took advantage of the rule to secure a WIN or victory in lieu of daring to show their technicalsuperiority.

Yes, it is part of the existing IJF rules and is legal. All fighters must know and understand the

rules of the game. Yes,the coaches and the seasoned athletes can profit from their existence

and make use of the best means available to come out with a win. I continue to think that

winning by an accumulation of defaults and minor infractions is less satisfying to the soul than

securing victory by the technical display of superior skills.

This last observation merits more discussions depending on the individual culture. My tenent is

evidently linked with the original judo concepts that I have tried to teach over the years. I

accept that others may differ.

Kanos view on Shiai performance

In the original spirit of judo contest, Jigoro Kano mentioned:ii

You should accommodate your

opponent and compete in such a way as to allow him to use his waza on you freely. If you do

not win by using waza superior to those of your opponent or by turning his waza against him,

this cannot be said to be a true victory. Particular attention to these matters is essential.

Jigoro Kano further advised players with the expression: Zenshu WA Zenko Ni Shikazu (Attackis the best defense). Elsewhere In his writings, he said:

Even if you are at risk of losing, you must take the offensive, try various waza and train hard. If

you practice with this in mind, you will no longer practice using a stance that is fixed in one

direction, or lower your hips and crouch forward in a defensive stance.iii


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Decades after the passage of Jigoro Kano, we are now technically entertained by the frequent

seminars of the great Sensei Isao Okano (Japan, World and Olympic champion) who

continuously recommend that competitors improve their abilities to fight in a relaxed waythrough the use of Shizen-tai or natural posture and thus enable themselves to gather the

composite strengths from both players and apply same at the right moment.

Potential Remedial Actions

In view of the above remarks, I believe that a serious reflection is needed to clarify the way the

competition skills sets are thought and currently managed. It is essential that we redefine the

purpose of competition and its ultimate goals; establish at what level the students should be

expected to participate, under what rules sets they should be expected to fight at regional and

provincial Shai, what should be the roles and functions of coaches around the combat zone andclarify what kind of rewards are to be expected or to be attributed for different levels of

participation.

The focus of judo competition should be linked with the skills development of each judoka and

to the joy of striving to achieve technical excellence rather than winning. As such, participants

should be encouraged to view their opponents as their own development partners in their

pursuit to overcome difficulties rather than someone to be eliminated or beaten by any means.

The great fighter that was Sensei Yasuhiro Yamashita who won 97.2% of his 559 contest

expressed his reasons for his sustained success as: the desire to improve continually. In his

matches, he strived to quickly identify the opponents weakness, seize the opportunity and

apply surprising techniques. In an interview addressed in 2003 he summed up his view about

competition as follow:iv

Simply winning competition is not the ultimate purpose of judo

In his writing The Fighting Spirit of Judov, he provided ample recommendations to would be

competitors. For our purpose, I resume here after the most important ones: get good advices

from your teachers, observe and reflect upon situations in order to work out your own strategy,

do not discard bits of information provided to you from different sources, take the time to

observe your opponents and other peoples practices, focus on improving your techniques,

learn from your defeats and do not be afraid of failure. I believe that the most vital advice given

in his writing is: Make no judgment about winning or losing and concentrate on applying your

strength and techniques.Thus, do not go for the outcome but for the technique.


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The extraordinary judo technician that was Sensei Kyuzo Mifune 10th

dan, wrote his concern

about judo contest as follow: In judo matches, participants should only do their best always

and do not mind the result of the matchthe participant should do his utmost and if there wereanything lacking; his mental attitude or determination, he would be of a cowardice or be of evil

intentionthe defeated will learn his weak point and pursues further, while the victorious will

better his feats and elevate his mental acquirement.vi

TECHNIQUE DEFEATS POWER

Return to the application of JU principle

We are told by all great judo technicians and teachers that the intelligent use of strength and

energy are the essence of judo. Of course, the strong individuals will be strong and the weakerone cannot instantly become of equal strength. However, in a match, the strong will sometimes

have a tendency to tighten up his muscles groups in a show of superiority, displacing his center

of gravity and by doing so, losing his ability for a fast displacement. If alert to his environment,

the weaker opponent can take advantage of this situation to throw the opponent down.

The application of the Ju principle is the cornerstone of Kodokan Judo and Sensei Mifune

interpreted this facet in the following words:

To win the greatest result through the least strength is the best presentation of energy it

must be remember however, that it is a mean and less worthy victory to win by averting theopponents power and only by making use of his. The real purpose of judo is not to win victory

only, but is to personify the truth contained in Judoto catch and demonstrate quickly the living

laws of motion occurring in not yet anticipated movement of the opponents body.vii

Social Orientation in the Classroom

How do we go about overcoming the current mistakes in our approach? Over the years, there

has been several studies within the sport-educational milieu which regularly demonstrated that

individuals strive to satisfy three basic needs; competence, autonomy and belonging.

In our respective dojo, we can address these dimensions by paying attention on our teaching

methodology. Judoka need to improve, make personal decisions and feel part of the group. It

has been found that providing more task-orientation activities will lead towards stronger

motives which facilitate the pursuit of self-improvement. By improving the judokas

competence and offering situations for making personal decisions, the students will grasp these

initiatives as early signs of success and will tend to enlarge that positive attitude toward the

group behavior.


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It has been amply demonstrated in the past that when judo teachers expand their fields of

vision and deliver classes dealing with all the components of the judo curriculum (Gokyo,

Randori, Kata, Mondo, and subsequently Shiai) they improve the overall competence of judoka.

When they further emphasize the natural cooperation and support between players, they also

reinforce the students desires to exchange and pursue their search for additional knowledge.

Because of the inter-partnership and assistance the student feel free to conduct more positive

experimentations that solidify their presence within the group and instill a social ethos that can

be applied both in competition and in other facets of their lifecycles.

On the other hand, it was noted that when teachers made more emphasis to encourage

students or reward them for having taken some devious means and ways to win against anopponent without having given their personal best, there was some tendency towards the

development of anti-social behaviors that could easily be repeated in other circumstances.

Seeking Personal Best

It is my opinion that teachers should recommend to students to continuously strive to improve

their knowledge and technique. The immediate goal should be to continuously improve on their

personal best. The true display of their levels of proficiency with their savoir-faire can be found

in their regular practices of the Gokyo, their discussions ensuing from Mondo sessions and their

offensive-defensive roles-playing while performing Randori with their peers. Ultimately, theirconditionning will be transposed into proper fair play in competition. Throughout the learning

process, their level of competence, group acceptance and their autonomy would have been

respected.

Progressive Competition training

With regards to the competition milieu, judoka should learn to assess the technical merit of a

waza, observe and define the making of Tai-Sabaki as well as appreciate the different

possibilities of escapes and counter-techniques.

Only after careful studies of the rules of competition and having had the chances to referee

numerous internal competitions, debate their scoring attribution and discussed tactical errors

made by contestants, should the aspiring competitors be permitted to enter the challenges of

higher competition.


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To further assist the judoka with their passage to higher forms of judo, it is recommended that

teachers and coaches make use of local competitions to seize upon the opportunities to further

educate the students about fair play by identifying those situations where moral conflict ornuances prevail. It is by addressing the nebulous issues of imposing a decision when one do not

possess all the facts that will provide the judoka with an opportunity to defend their calls and

stand by their principles or opinions.

Being challenged for decision and belief is what will make them grow wiser and stronger. Such a

discovery or debate over what is right and wrong will enable a larger group to enter into the

discussion and consolidate the overall class solidarity.

The three original needs of competence, autonomy and belonging will then be secured.

Conclusion

The judo competition is an integral part of the judo curriculum; we have to address it with the

same vigor and attention we give to the other dimensions. We should periodically evaluate to

what extend we want the quest for gold program dominate all other facets and assess our

return on investments keeping in mind that Judo is all about providing a set of life-skills to the

individual judoka so that he or she can better serve the society.

Ronald Dsormeaux

Judo Teacher, University of Toronto, Hart House Dojo, September 2013

References

iT.Kawamura and T Daigo, Kodokan New Japanese-English Dictionary of Judo, Kodokan Tokyo, August 2000,p 115

iiJigoro Kano, Mind over Muscle, writings compiled by Naoki Murata Kodansha international, Tokyo, 2005 p- 133,

iiiJigoro Kano, Ibid.,p-138

ivYasuhiro Yamashita,Judo Renaissance, Yawara no Ito, Gaiko Forum No 178, May 2003

v

Yasuhiro Yamashita, The Fighting Spirit of judo, Ippon Books ltd, England, 1999vi Kyuzo Mifune, Canon of Judo, Japan Publications Trading Company, Tokyo, 1963,p-28vii

Kyuzo Mifune, ibid, p-29

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Judo-Ron 75-Critical Reflection of Judo Competition (Shiai)