Japan Losing Its Golden Grip on Olympic Judo

by STEP× The University Times5 News in English 英文記事を読んでみよう “It’s very good for us This month’s selections from The Japan Times that judo has become a globally recognized sport,” he said. Oishi also noted that Japan losing its golden Japanese judoka out- number their foreign counterparts by a grip on Olympic judo great deal, which in many cases means Minoru Matsutani during that time, bagged 10, ac- their foreign counter- STAFF WRITER cording to the IOC. parts receive more at- The 2004 Athens Games saw tention in a more de- Judo became an Olympic sport at Japan collect its highest gold medal voted training environ- the 1964 Tokyo Games and was haul, winning eight. ment that receives na- dominated by the country of its ori- How did Japan’s judoka fare in Lon- tionwide support over gin until the 2008 Summer Olympics don compared with other judoka? the four-year run-up to in Beijing. In terms of gold medals, Japan the games. This summer in London, Japan’s and six other countries tied for Does Japan hold high men failed to win a single gold fourth place with one each. Russia expectations for Olym- medal in judo and its women took three golds and France and pic judo? claimed just one. It was the first South Korea won two each. Yes. From Barcelo- time since judo’s Olympic debut In terms of all medals, Japan and na to Beijing, judo ac- Down and out: Japanese judoka Daiki Kamikawa (below) grapples with Iha Makau of Belarus on Aug. 3 at the France shared the lead with seven, counted for 56 percent that the men failed to grab gold. London Olympics. Daiki lost the match, which left the Have Japan’s judoka become followed by Russia with five. of Japan’s gold medals Japanese male judo team bereft of Olympic golds for the weaker or have those in other coun- Why did Japan get only one gold in and 37 percent of all its first time since the sport was introduced at the 1964 tries gotten stronger? Here are London? medals combined. Summer Games in Tokyo. KYODO some questions and answers: Experts point to the international- In London alone, the ization of judo and the rise of strong one judo gold accounted for 14 per- in Los Angeles and the other in What is the origin of judo? foreign contenders. cent of the seven Japanese golds Seoul, and Ryoko Tamura (now Jigoro Kano opened a dojo in Yasushi Oishi, 69, a coach at the and the seven total judo medals 18 Tani) did likewise in Sydney and Tokyo in 1882 to teach a style of jujit- Oishi Dojo in Obu, Aichi Prefecture, percent of the 38 medals Japan won Athens. su he later called judo, according to where several Olympians train, overall. Likewise, Austrian Peter Seisen- the Japanese Olympic Committee. said judo has become especially “In the future, it will be difficult bacher took golds in Los Angeles Kano was deemed the originator popular in France. for Japan to get so many medals in and Seoul, while Poland’s Walder- of judo by the International Judo “France has been very open to judo,” Oishi said. “We should not mar Legien did the same in Seoul Federation, which was founded in judo and lots of Japanese judoka place too much pressure on Japa- and Barcelona. Frenchman David 1951 and based in Budapest. Kano went to coach there. Now judo is nese judoka. Japanese judo has not Douillet got one gold in Atlanta and also was the first Asian member of popular as a sport and parents want gotten weaker; other countries another in Sydney, and Dongmei the International Olympic Commit- their children to learn it because of have become stronger.” Xian of China took the center podi- tee, according to the IJF. The All its focus on strict sportsmanship Who has won the most Olympic um once in Athens and once in Bei- Japan Judo Federation was found- and discipline,” Oishi told The gold medals in judo so far? jing, according to the IOC data. ed in 1949. Japan Times. Tadahiro Nomura won three gold Dutchman Willem Rusla won two How strong was Japan in Olympic Also, France has lured talented medals, one each in Atlanta, Syd- gold medals in Munich, in the 93-kg judo? judo coaches by offering them sta- ney and Athens. Nobody else has class and in the open category, From the Tokyo Games until Bei- ble positions as government work- won as many golds in Olympic judo, which was eliminated in 1988. The jing, Japanese judoka won 35 gold ers despite their lack of French citi- according to IOC statistics. heaviest category in judo now is the medals. France, its nearest rival zenship, he said. Hitoshi Saito won two golds, one 100-kg-plus class. Shin-Okubo denizens, fans counsel calm Minister Yoshihiko Noda, have appeared to Kazuaki Nagata emotional” and should discuss the be provocative, and he STAFF WRITER issue more calmly, said Ishii, a hopes Seoul handles the woman in her 40s from Yokohama situation more calmly. The rising tensions between who gave only her family name. Asked if the rising Tokyo and Seoul are best eased by Ishii, who was with a friend, said tensions have caused a level-headed diplomacy for the sake she comes to the area near JR Shin- drop in visitors and of both nations, said people inter- Okubo Station with friends about business in the district, viewed last month by The Japan once a month to eat Korean food he said there seems to Times in Tokyo’s Korean-centric and check out products dealing with be fewer people on the Shin-Okubo district. Korean celebrities. streets. However, he Tensions have been escalating The area is widely known for its added he is not sure if Business as usual: People check out products outside a over South Korea-controlled islets more than 100 Korean restaurants this is because of the store selling Korean merchandise in Shin-Okubo, dubbed in the Sea of Japan that are claimed and shops, which attract fans of bilateral row or due to Tokyo’s Koreatown. KAZUAKI NAGATA by Japan, which calls them many nationalities. the sweltering heat. Takeshima, and provocative re- “The territorial issue has nothing In any case, he said, a deteriora- works at a store that sells goods marks by South Korean President to do with cultural exchanges,” she tion in diplomatic relations doesn’t promoted by Korean celebrities Lee Myung Bak, including that Em- said, adding that her interest in help the Japanese and South Kore- said her store has not been affected peror Akihito should apologize for South Korean TV dramas remains an workers in the area. by the political conflict. Japan’s colonial rule of the Korean intact. For instance, a group of Japanese She said she thinks Takeshima is Peninsula. Business owners in the district held a rally in the Shin-Okubo dis- South Korea’s territory but doesn’t Lee visited the islets, which South said the diplomatic spat has not had trict and damaged some of the Ko- want to see the tension escalate and Korea calls Dokdo, on Aug. 10, an economic impact, but it has rean stores, he said. hurt the two countries’ relations. drawing Tokyo’s ire. made them feel uneasy. His store normally makes it a rule “It’s really uncomfortable. I’m “As a Japanese, I think the re- A Japanese man in his 40s who not to allow any women to work working here,” she said, adding she mark that (Lee) made about the runs a cafe in the district said Lee’s alone at night, but he added, “I have hopes the two governments some- Emperor was disrespectful ... but I actions, including refusing to re- been especially careful these days.” how find a peaceful solution in the think the two countries shouldn’t get ceive a personal letter from Prime A 53-year-old Korean woman who near future..

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