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Fedor first was a Judo guy. He reached the 3rd places in nationals and won some international tournament (one was the Hamburg Open i think ). Then Started with Combat Sambo , where he won the World Championship.
To Answer to [Also, it's dumb to say there's less technique involved. A small russian champ could toss you just as well as a small Japanese champ. Technique is not about being pretty, it's about being effective.]
Not only Russian but also Italian (my country) and other European have a technique that is in general "poor" compared to Japanese one.
In Sport competitions Technique is not the total pack, so a Throws that used a lot of Strenght (like wrestling one) is very effective to take Ippon, but Judo is not Strenght vs Strenght.
U can win in Judo with Go (hard ) or with real Ju (flexibility).
Ju is the flexible or efficient use of balance, leverage, and movement in the performance of Judo throws and other skills. Skill, technique and timing, rather than the use of brute strength, are the essential ingredients for success in Judo
Japanese usually have a better Judo. Nowadays Jusport (olympic judo) after the "contamination" with Sambo and Wrestling had introduced some aspect that weren't in original Kano jujitsu.
Original Judo = 80% technique + 20 physical ability
Jusport = 50% Technique + 50% physical ability (Sometimes even more strenght then technique)
It would be a great honor to be tossed by a Russian or a Japanese or also an Italian Champ ^_^
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