Author: judoinfo

Kata guruma is a dramatic judo throw that was popular in international competition until recent rule changes prohibited grabbing the leg. Modified versions can still earn a score in competition, but it is seldom seen now. The technique is a hand throw (tewaza) that is practiced as part of the nage-no-kata.

Because uke is lifted over the shoulders of tori, no other technique can achieve the sheer height of a kata guruma throw. However, other versions are also possible where tori kneels or even sits.

Jeju, on the South Korean island of the same name, is a booming tourist destination which has attracted the stars of judo for the final World Judo Tour event of the year. The two-day event is part of year-ending Asian leg of the Tour and follows Grand Prix in Qingdao and Abu Dhabi and last week’s Tokyo Grand Slam.

Today (Wednesday), the delegations assembled at Jeju Grand Hotel to learn for the fate of their athletes as 186 judoka will compete from 30 nations. 101 men will be in action while 81 women will take to the tatami.

During the competition, almost 700 competitors (696) from 56 countries participated in the fifth edition of the World Judo Veterans Championships in Abu Dhabi. This year, the event had a particular taste as it was organized right after the Judo Grand Prix and the competition benefited from using the same facilities as one of the top IJF World Judo Tour events.

A total of 236 competitors representing 35 national delegations (134 men, 102 women) will fight on the 22nd and 23rd of November. While this tournament is not part of the Rio 2016 Olympic qualifications (which begins in May 2014), the high participation underlines the willingness of the world's top judoka to prepare for the major events to come.
The heads of delegations were warmly welcomed by the International Judo Federation General Treasurer, Mr. Nasser Al Tamimi, who also represented the Judo Federation of the United Arab Emirates.

After Grand Slam events in Paris, Baku and Moscow, the stars of judo are ready for the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year which will take place at the 10,000 capacity Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium in the Sendagaya district of Shibuya, Tokyo. A Judo Grand Slam offers the most world ranking points after an Olympic Games, World Championships and World Judo Masters, with 500 points for gold, 300 points for silver and 200 points for bronze along with a total of $150,000 at stake in prize money.

The Tokyo Grand Slam is the biggest sporting event to take place in the city since it was elected as the host city of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in September. Every judoka has a burning desire to compete and defeat not only the international judoka in Tokyo but also the plethora of world-class Japanese judoka who are expected to win here and in convincing fashion.