Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compare winning points and winning techniques of World Senior Judo Championships (WC) in 1995,1997, and 1999 in order to clarify trends of modern competitive judo of the world. Winning points, winning techniques, type of winning techniques, and content of win by penalties of all the matches were statistically compared among the three WCs.
Major findings are: (1) more than 50% of the total matches were won by ippon and the ratio increased through the three WCs, (2) ashi-waza was the most popular throwing technique group of the three WCs while katame-waza showed decreasing tendency, (3) the nage-wazas usually executed with normal kumikata (gripping) tended to increase while those without grip control decreased, (4) the most common penalty was “non-combativity” which occurred over 60% of all penalties, (5)win by penalties showed the highest rate in 1997 but reduced in 1999.
The recent changes of refereeing and sports rules seem to influence contents of competitive judo. Further studies regarding the style changes in world competitive judo are needed for keeping the competitive level of Japan judo and for sound development of Kodokan judo.
