Until 2001, the International Judo Federation (LJF) used the “hantei” system to judge matches, and then in 2002 it introduced the “Golden Score” (GS) system. This study analyzes the matches that ended in tied scores at the end of regular match time which took place at 4 IJF championship tournaments held in the 4-year period between 2000 and 2003 and were conducted under the two different systems.
Out of 1,356 matches that took place at the 2000 World Junior Championships in Nabeul and the 2001 World Championships in Munich,73 matches (5.4%) were decided by hantei. Out of 1,285matches that took place at the 2001 World Junior Championships on Cheju Island and the 2003World Championships at Osaka,42 matches (3.3%) were decided by GS-the percent of decisions by GS thus being reduced from that of decisions by hantei.
Analysis of the 73 matches that were decided by hantei showed that in the cases where referees make 3-0 decisions,73.8% of the winning players had plus points, but in the cases where referees make 2-1 decisions, the incidence of winning players having plus points dropped to 41.9%. Thus, as less than half of the matches won by 2-1 decisions had a positive number of points awarded, it was suggested that there was a considerable amount of disputed judgment involved in the matches.
Analysis of the matches that took place in regular playing time before entering the GS extended time showed that 11 matches (26.2%) were judged properly, but that in the remaining 31matches (73.8%) there was a discrepancy in the judgments. Matches that went into GS took longer than those in the hantei system, but the 4-minute regulation time matches that went into GS took 1.43 times longer than the 4-minute hantei system matches, while in 5-minute regulation time matches this ratio of GS to hanteitimes was reduced to 1.28.
With the introduction of the GS system, the incidence of matches ending in a tie score at the end of regular match time decreased. Also, there was a tendency to control the overall times of matches, and problems relating to extended playing time were thought to be within reasonable limits. With the change to the GS system, there was a tendency toward the winning of matches based on the awarding of points rather than on penalties, and so these changes were generally thought to be effective in supporting greater objectivity in deciding the winners of matches.

View full abstract

This study examined the relationship between participation in judo and life satisfaction and quality of life. Ninety American adolescents completed the Sport Commitment Measure, the Multidimensional Students' Life Satisfaction Scale, the Comprehensive Quality of Life ? School Version, and a demographic instrument. Judo participation was positively correlated with a number of life satisfaction and quality of life indices, and these relationships were not confounded by demographic differences in age, sex, or school grade. Judo piayers as a whole were happier than others in almost all indices measured, and within the group, participants who practiced judo longer had higher scores on well being and life satisfaction. These findings provide the first evidence supporting claims concerning the philosophical and educational goals of judo since its inception, and opens the door to further studies documenting the positive benefits, as well as potentially negative aspects, of judo participation.

View full abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine regions of the body affected by Kansetsu-waza. The participants were 22 college and high school judo players. They were requested to point out the most painful region for each Kansetsu-waza technique. For analysis,28 techniques were chosen from 9 kinds of Kansetsu-waza. The binominal test and the chi square test were conducted. The results demonstrated that the elbow was the most painful region for 16 techniques and the shoulder for 8 techniques. This finding suggests that some Kansetsu-waza, which was Udegarami, Udehishigi-hizagatame, and Udehishigi-sankakugatame, has both the technique affecting the elbow and that affecting the shoulder. From Uke arm movement,28 techniques can be classified into three broad types: extension, twist with internal rotation, and twist with external rotation. Chi square tests indicated that the elbow was the most painful region for extension techniques, and that the shoulder was the most painful region for twisting techniques with either internal or external rotation. In relation to refereeing rules, Kansetsu-waza application is forbidden for any joint other than the elbow, however this study indicated that some Kansetsu-waza techniques allowed in the competition affect the shoulder. These findings suggest that refereeing rules for Kansetsu-waza are not necessarily based on real-world experience and that there is room for improving application of these rules.

View full abstract

The purpose of this study is i) to examine and compare the fundamental educational quality of Judo and Judo values as perceived by current Judo practitioners and to identify how Judo values are perceived today throughout the world. The educational value of Judo was repeatedly stressed by its founder, Jigoro Kano, therefore a questionnaire was constructed including a series of questions regarding educational aspects of Judo. The questionnaire was given to young and skilled Judo practitioners from Japan, the U. S., Australia and France (2000-2001).
Of the six important principles of Judo, preferences of surveyed Judo practitioners indicated greatest importance was given to sei-shin-shu-yo (spiritual development), sei-ryoku-zen-yo (to put your best effort into everything) and tai-ryoku-ken-ko (fitness and health), but not much importance was given to chi-ryoku (intellectual capability), go-shin (self-defense), and ji-ta-kyo-ei (living with others harmoniously). Survey results indicate an increasing must win attitude among Judo practitioners throughout the world. As with many other popular sports, the moral aspect of Judo, particularly the concept of ji-ta-kyo-ei, is often overlooked today in favor of the desire to win.

View full abstract