Zuihitsu-Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Dsormeaux

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

After viewing the 2013 World Judo (senior) Championships in Rio, I decided to conduct a personal 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 Dictionaryi consists 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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Zuihitsu-Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Dsormeaux

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 for defensive 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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Zuihitsu-Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Dsormeaux

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, publicised onto 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 CubanGeorgian 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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Zuihitsu-Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Dsormeaux

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 semiprofessional 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 the years, 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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Zuihitsu-Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Dsormeaux

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 they destined 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-profitable to 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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Zuihitsu-Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Dsormeaux

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 work together 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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Zuihitsu-Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Dsormeaux

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 much needed 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 that at 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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Zuihitsu-Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Dsormeaux

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 Gono- Sen maneuvers. Instead of developing the Debana (opportunity) by moving about and making 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 technical superiority. 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 (Attack is 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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Zuihitsu-Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Dsormeaux

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 way through 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 and clarify 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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Zuihitsu-Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Dsormeaux

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 were anything 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 weaker one 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 the opponents 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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Zuihitsu-Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Dsormeaux

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 an opponent 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, their conditionning 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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Zuihitsu-Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Dsormeaux

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 or nuances 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
i

T.Kawamura and T Daigo, Kodokan New Japanese-English Dictionary of Judo, Kodokan Tokyo, August 2000,p 115 Jigoro Kano, Mind over Muscle, writings compiled by Naoki Murata Kodansha international, Tokyo, 2005 p- 133, iii Jigoro Kano, Ibid.,p-138 iv Yasuhiro Yamashita, Judo Renaissance, Yawara no Ito, Gaiko Forum No 178, May 2003 v Yasuhiro Yamashita, The Fighting Spirit of judo, Ippon Books ltd, England, 1999 vi Kyuzo Mifune, Canon of Judo, Japan Publications Trading Company, Tokyo, 1963,p-28 vii Kyuzo Mifune, ibid, p-29
ii

Note: This article contains copyrights and is registered with the National Archives of Canada Electronic Bank. Reproduction for non-commercial use is permitted. For additional information, please contact: Ronalddesormeaux@Gmail.com

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