Photo/Illutration Judo is not the "gentle way" for some elementary school students who feel pressured to win at all costs in tournament competitions. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

A "win at all costs" mentality that led to harsh measures by coaches and abusive parents has forced the All Japan Judo Federation to cancel a national tournament for elementary school students. 

Sources said the federation directors made the decision at a meeting in January and informed prefectural federations in a notice dated March 14 of the cancellation.

The notice said one reason for ending the tournament was “examples of excessive efforts to win at all costs.”

According to sources, there have been examples of coaches forcing students to lose weight to compete in a lighter division. Parents and coaches have also been known to loudly complain and berate referees over their decisions.

In one instance, a child was unable to sleep before the tournament because of the pressure levied by parents and coaches. The child was forced to lose 6 kilograms just before a tournament.

An executive of the All Japan Judo Federation said, “There was a trend of adults not thinking about the future of the children, but just the short-term results of matches. We want to use this opportunity to review what should be done.”

The national tournament begun in 2004 has been held every summer and is the only one sponsored solely by the All Japan Judo Federation for elementary school students. The tournament is an individual competition for those in the fifth and sixth grades, with two weight divisions in each grade.

The federation plans to hold alternative events in summer for young judoka that involve practices or lectures.

The federation is one of the sponsors of a national team tournament for elementary school students and there are currently no plans to end that competition, sources said.

In Japan, many children quit judo after their arduous experiences during elementary school.

That may account for the number of judo competitors in Japan dropping almost by half from the approximately 200,000 in 2004 to about 120,000 in 2021.

In comparison, France had about 440,000 judo competitors in 2021. France does not hold national tournaments for those under 13 out of safety concerns and to avoid excessive competition.

But one Japanese federation executive said that measure had no effect on developing top judo competitors.

France demonstrated it has the highest level of judoka in the world when it won the gold medal in the mixed team event at the Tokyo Olympics last year. It defeated Japan in the final.

The latest move by the judo federation could have ramifications for other sports where elementary and junior high school students are forced to endure harsh practices in the mindset that they are vital for winning. 

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