[Shadowdean]

Are there any significant differences between Russian and Japanese Judo? If so, what?

[Resident A-hole]

From what I understand, Russian judo typically uses more wrestling style takedowns and strength moves. In the past, many judo traditionalists frowned upon wrestling style moves, favoring high flying throws. Russian judo players' success in competition forced them to re-think that idea.

[Thalion]

Russian (and European) judo is usually more Strenght based, It look like wrestling sometimes. This is more Godo (Hard way) then Judo (gentle way).
At Olympic level some athletes try with Strenght(natural or given by the doping) to compensate technical gap.

Japanese Judo is way more technical, they spend a lot of time in training Judo and less in "bodybuilding".

Look the Judogi in the competitions Japanese prefer durable and comfortable ones like Mizuno Yawara , the others prefer hard grip Gi like Dax Moskito o Mizuno Eurocop 'cause they try to have an advantage to they challengers.

I like best the Traditional way. If I do Judo is because I like grappling not bodybuilding.
I don't like very much the Jusport and it's rules (Mainly standup, Ippon even with uncontrolled Throws).

[Shadowdean]

Very cool. I know wrestling influenced judo in russia...it is interesting that the japanese have resisted it. Are there any "general" differences in how they exicute the traditional throws?

[colinm]

ah! those silly meathead russians!

[Noskill]

Posture and grips, that's the general difference. The Japanese are upright, and grip up front. The Russians bend over and grip over the back a lot. They seem to use the belt more too. Throws are widely the same, except the russians use a bit more pickups. But Osoto, Uchimata, Harai and Seoi's still rule, even in Russia.

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.

[Xiandi]

Another thing I've noticed about Russian Judoka is that they prefer armlocks much more than Japanese players. A friend of mine (A Chinese Judo blackbelt who started with sambo) speculates that a lot of Russian judoka trained in Sambo as well as Judo at some point, and since chokes are outlawed in sport sambo and leglocks are forbidden in Judo armlocks are the common ground they share in newaza. Therefore training armbars in sambo will aid your Judo armbars while training chokes helps your sambo naught at all

[GuardGame]

I know Fedor is a black belt and competes often in Sambo, he a black belt in Judo too, and competes in Judo as well??

[Thalion]

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 ^_^

[Noskill]

Originally Posted by Thalion

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.

Wrestling is not about strength. Wrestling is as much about technique as Judo. If this wasn't the case, all wrestlers would need to do to be good at their sports is to lift weights. But they practice as much technique as we do in Judo.

You think it is only strength because you have never wrestled.