Kosei Inoue: The Thrill of All Japan Judo at the Nippon Budokan

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In April, the Emperor's Cup All Japan Judo Championship (men) and the Empress's Cup All Japan Women's Judo Championship were held. Both are open-weight tournaments that continue to honor the spirit and tradition of Japanese judo.

These annual events are more than just competitions. They serve as living testaments to the legacy of the sport, while also delivering fresh moments of drama and inspiration each year. The 2025 edition was no exception.

One example was the use of original rules that allowed for attacks and defenses targeting the lower body, which gave the matches greater breadth and variety.

*Hifumi Abe defeats Yujiro Sato at Nippon Budokan. (©Sankei by Norikazu Fukushima)*

The events also drew attention for their lineup of elite athletes competing by special invitation. Among them was Hifumi Abe, the 2024 Paris Olympic gold medalist in the men's 66-kg class. He was joined by Ryuju Nagayama (bronze, 60 kg), Soichi Hashimoto (bronze, 73 kg), and Natsumi Tsunoda (gold, women's 48 kg). Their participation brought a heightened level of intensity and highlighted the unique excitement of judo in an open-weight format.

Celebrating the Unexpected

Unexpected victories also added to the tournament's drama. Two champions emerged who had not been seen as frontrunners: Daigo Kagawa in the men's division and Reina Tanaka in the women's. Both delivered performances that were not only surprising but deeply memorable — each a product of discipline, determination, and precise execution.

*Daigo Kagawa pumps his fist in the air after defeating Hisayoshi Harasawa (left) in the All Japan Judo Championship final match at Nippon Budokan. (©Sankei by Norikazu Fukushima)*

For Kagawa, the win marked a significant personal milestone. Now 28, he made headlines over a decade ago as the youngest participant in tournament history, entering at just 17 years and eight months. Yet since then, major victories had eluded him. This year, however, he returned with a mature command of technique and strategy. In the final, he nullified the offense of heavyweight Hisayoshi Harasawa, remaining laser-focused on victory. His performance was a study in resolve shaped over years of perseverance.

Tanaka, who competes in the 78-kg class, built her matches around crisp, calculated uchi-mata throws. Her final opponent, Mio Shirakane — a lighter competitor from the 57-kg division — presented an unusual challenge. Nevertheless, Tanaka maintained composure throughout. With calm precision, she asserted her own brand of judo from start to finish.

Both tournaments featured a series of outstanding matches and, I believe, truly showcased the appeal of open-weight judo — its original and essential form.

A Tournament That Thrills Judo Fans Worldwide

This year's tournaments drew large crowds to both venues, including many spectators who had traveled from overseas.

The All Japan Judo Federation's official YouTube livestream also saw high engagement. The women's matches drew nearly 10,000 views, while the men's approached 20,000. One of the tournament's standout achievements was this broad viewership, not only from Japan but from passionate judo fans around the world.

I hope the All Japan Judo Championship and All Japan Women's Judo Championship will continue to be places where athletes can chase their dreams. Moreover, I also hope they remain tournaments that excite and inspire fans across the globe.

*Judoka Kosei Inoue demonstrates a technique in practice at Tokai University on April 21.*

Every year, I'm struck by the unique atmosphere of the All Japan Championship. Just stepping into the Nippon Budokan makes me tremble with anticipation. Before I know it, I catch myself on the edge of my seat, completely drawn in.

That's thanks to the incredible performances of the athletes — and perhaps also because I was once a young judoka myself, dreaming of victory on this very stage. Eventually, I had the honor of competing here, and the memory still lives with me.

The All Japan Championships continue to radiate a one-of-a-kind charm that never fails to captivate those who practice judo.