On August 31st, the 2025 Tokyo Student Judo Weight Classification Championship was held at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. 14 events for men and women were held, and a total of 144 people received tickets to participate in the All Japan Student Judo Weight Classification Championship (September 27th and 28th @ Nippon Budokan). Ochiai Kou (3rd year student at Tokyo Gakugei University) won the women’s 52kg class in a row. He has decided to participate in the Kodokan Cup All Japan Judo Weight Class Championship (November 1 and 2 @ Chiba Port Arena), which will be awarded to the top two players in various fields.
Ochiai rose to the victory with his own weapons, Tomoe Throw and Ground Moves. “A tournament to test your strengths and see how much you can show what you’ve done up until now.” In the final, he actively pitched a Tomoe throw against Yokota Hikari, a third-year student at Tokai University.
“I was a player with long limbs, so I thought it would be a good idea to wait, so I decided to go forward and played the game.”
The match was not decided in four minutes, and continued to attack even after the game began to be extended by a golden score. He took the effective shot with a Tomoe throw for 1 minute and 10 seconds, and there was a match. He achieved his second consecutive championship. Coach Kubota Hiroshi praised, “We were able to perform well in good condition, so I think we were able to demonstrate our talent. I wish we could always create this kind of condition.”
When it comes to the combination of tomoe throwing and ground-playing, many people probably recall Tsunoda Natsumi, a gold medalist at the women’s 48kg class at the Parish 300 kg level at the same Tokyo Gakugei University.
“Now, I can’t stand at all as Natsumi. When you come to practice, he will answer any questions you ask. I can’t do the exact same Tomoe throw, but I take in places that suit me. I want to be a player who can win like Natsumi.”
Ochiai positions the Tomoe throw as his “his own judo axis.” Naturally, the other party will also be wary.
“I think it would be good to be able to increase the number of variations by changing the position of the foot and holding hands to throw it while the opponent is reading the Tomoe (throw)”
That’s the road that Tsunoda also took. In the future, we will need to continue to hone our “legendary heirloom” just like our seniors.
This is the third time that All Japan students have participated in the weight classification. In his first year, he was eliminated in the first game due to an injury and not being able to reach a peak. In his second year, he won the Tokyo Student Weight Class Championship, just like this time. “I was in good form, but I couldn’t take it all at the best and lost,” he said, not satisfied with the final eight. “A tournament where you can try out how much you’ve done and see how well you can achieve it,” Ochiai said. Will he be able to win the national championship with his third honesty?
(Text and photo by Sugiura Yasusuke)
※BS11The 2025 All Japan Student Judo Weight Class Championships will be broadcast from 7pm on Sunday, October 5th.
Ochiai’s Rise: Key Moments and Tournament Data
To further illuminate Ochiai Kou’s extraordinary performance, let’s delve into a comparative analysis of her recent achievements and teh broader context of the Tokyo Student Judo scene.
| Category | Detail | Ochiai Kou’s Performance | Significance/Impact |
| —————————- | ——————————————————————————- | ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————– | ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————– |
| Tournament | Tokyo Student Judo Weight Classification Championship | 1st Place (Women’s 52kg) | Secured a spot in the All Japan Student Judo Weight Classification Championship, continuing her winning streak. |
| Winning strategy | Key Techniques | Primarily utilized Tomoe Throw and Ground Moves.| Demonstrated versatility and adaptability, making her a formidable opponent. This aligns with the fundamental principles of Judo, highlighting the effectiveness of various techniques. |
| Final Match | Opponent | Yokota Hikari (Tokai University) | Showcased her ability to overcome tough competition and adapt to different fighting styles.|
| Match Duration | Time it took to win the Final Match | Won in Golden Score with a Tomoe throw in 1 minute and 10 seconds. | Highlighted her persistence and ability to perform under pressure, showcasing her mental fortitude, a crucial aspect in Judo.|
| Previous Years’ results | Contextualizing the competition | 1st Year: Eliminated in the first game due to injury; 2nd Year: Won the Tokyo Student Weight Class Championship; This Year: 1st Place. | Provides insights into Ochiai’s growth and resilience, demonstrating her determination to overcome challenges and improve. Her journey echoes the core Judo value of continuous self-improvement. |
| future Competitions | Upcoming Events | Will participate in the Kodokan Cup All Japan Judo Weight Class Championship (November 1 and 2 @ Chiba Port Arena). | Offers a platform for Ochiai to compete against top judokas, furthering her growth and providing a chance to secure a higher ranking. |
| Legacy & Inspiration | Influential Figures | Inspired by Tsunoda Natsumi, a gold medalist at the women’s 48kg class at the Parish 300 kg level at the same Tokyo Gakugei University. | Inspires and motivates younger judokas and demonstrates community within judo. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
To enhance understanding and address common queries,here’s a extensive FAQ section about the recent Judo event and Ochiai’s achievements:
Q: What is the significance of the tokyo Student judo Weight Classification Championship?
A: This tournament serves as a crucial qualifying event for the All Japan Student judo Weight Classification Championship.winning here grants competitors, like Ochiai Kou, a coveted spot in the national-level competition, paving the way for higher accolades and rankings.
Q: What techniques did Ochiai Kou use to secure victory?
A: Ochiai primarily utilized the Tomoe Throw and effective ground moves to overcome her opponents demonstrating a blend of offensive capabilities. her adaptability showcased a deep understanding of Judo techniques.
Q: How does Ochiai Kou’s performance in the recent championship compare to her previous years?
A: In her first year, she was sidelined early due to an injury. The following year, she won the Tokyo Student Weight Class Championship. This year, she has continued her success by winning the Championship again, highlighting her progression and resilience in the sport, with Ochiai consistently improving her Judo.
Q: What is the Kodokan Cup and why is it notable?
A: The Kodokan Cup is a prestigious all-japan Judo event. Participation in the Kodokan Cup provides Ochiai with an unparalleled chance to compete against elite judokas, refine her skills, and perhaps earn a higher status within the Judo community.
Q: Who is Tsunoda Natsumi,and what is her influence on Ochiai Kou?
A: Tsunoda Natsumi is a gold medalist and a graduate from the same university as Ochiai. Tsunoda’s achievements, especially in the 48kg weight class, encourage Ochiai, who seeks to emulate her success through dedicated practise and application of effective Judo strategy.
Q: How can I watch the All Japan Student Judo weight Class Championships?
A: the 2025 All Japan Student Judo Weight Class championships will be broadcast on BS11 on Sunday, October 5th, starting at 7 p.m. (Japan Standard Time).
Q: What are the fundamental principles of Judo?
A: Judo is more than just sport; as the International Judo Federation (IJF) highlights, it’s an educational activity rooted in principles such as jita-kyoei (mutual welfare and benefit) and seiryoku zenyo* (maximum efficiency, minimum effort). Judo promotes physical strength, mental discipline, teamwork, and self-confidence [[3]].
