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Ippon seoinage is a version of seoinage that was first recognized by the Kodokan as a distinct throw in 1997 after a review by the Kodokan Waza Research Institute. It conforms to the basic principle of seoinage – to load uke onto your back and throw him or her over the shoulder – but differs in application because of the position of the hands, both controlling one side of uke. Ippon seoinage is included in the first group of throws of the nage no kata where it is used to defend against a blow to the head. It is a very effective throw for self-defense since it can be performed without a judogi, but it is also quite popular in free practice and competition.

Obi otoshi is very similar to sukuinage (scooping throw) in the foot position and the direction of the throw. The difference is in the hand position. One hand grabs the front of the belt in obi otoshi, instead of both hands grabbing the legs of uke. Because grabbing the belt is restricted under competition rules and grabbing the front of the belt gives away your intentions, there are seldom opportunities to apply this throw.

Morote gari is a hand throw that involves grabbing both of your partner’s legs and reaping them out. It has been officially recognized by the Kodokan as a judo throw since 1982 and had been used in competition for years, but under current IJF competition rules (as of 2014) this technique is no longer permitted. It is called a double leg takedown in wrestling.

Tai otoshi is a hand throw that should generate a lot of power with very little contact. It can create one of the hardest falls in judo, yet it relies on timing and kuzushi rather than lifting. The power comes from a fast rotating action that drives uke right into the mat. It is a very common throw, but one which must be studied thoroughly to have any chance of using it successfully on a resisting opponent.

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.