eJudo Editorial Director Furuya Hideki: Opening Ceremony of the 2026 All Japan Judo Championships – Oath Taken by Harasawa Hisaki (Nominated, Chofu Kosan)

TOKYO — Olympic judo silver medalist Hiroshi Harasawa delivered the athlete’s oath at the opening ceremony of the 2026 All-Japan Judo Championships on Sunday, April 26, marking his return to competitive action after a year away from the tatami.

The 33-year-old heavyweight, representing Nagafusa Industries through a recommendation berth, stood before competitors and officials at Nippon Budokan to recite the traditional pledge of fair play and sportsmanship that opens Japan’s premier open-weight judo tournament each year.

Harasawa’s selection as oath-taker carries particular significance given his decorated history at the event. The Tokyo native captured All-Japan titles in 2015 and 2018, and had reached the final in each of the two preceding tournaments before his competitive hiatus.

Standing at 191 centimeters and competing at 120 kilograms with a right-handed grip, Harasawa is one of Japan’s most physically imposing judoka. His return to the All-Japan Championships marks his first competitive appearance since the previous year’s tournament, having not participated in any other official matches during that interval.

The athlete’s oath represents a ceremonial highlight of the opening proceedings, traditionally entrusted to a respected competitor embodying the values of judo. Harasawa’s role continues a practice seen at major Japanese sporting events where elite athletes affirm their commitment to ethical competition.

His presence at Nippon Budokan drew attention not only for the ceremonial duty but as a signal of his intent to contend for the national title. The All-Japan Championships determine Japan’s top judoka regardless of weight class, making it one of the sport’s most prestigious domestic honors.

The tournament began immediately following the opening ceremony, with competition underway throughout the day at the historic indoor arena located in central Tokyo’s Chiyoda ward.

As Japan’s national judo championship, the event attracts the country’s elite competitors across all weight divisions, with the open-weight format often producing compelling matchups between significantly different-sized athletes.

Harasawa’s participation adds veteran experience to a field that includes younger contenders seeking to establish themselves at the pinnacle of Japanese judo. His Olympic background — which includes a silver medal from the 2016 Rio Games in the men’s +100kg division — provides valuable perspective as he navigates the tournament bracket.

The All-Japan Championships serve as both a culmination of the domestic season and an important benchmark ahead of international competitions. For athletes like Harasawa, strong performance at Nippon Budokan can influence selection considerations for future national team assignments.

With the tournament now underway following the opening ceremonies, competitors will progress through single-elimination brackets hoping to earn the distinction of becoming Japan’s absolute judo champion for the 2026 season.

Fans seeking updates on the All-Japan Championships can follow official results through the Japan Judo Federation’s communications channels as competition continues throughout the day at Nippon Budokan.

The conclusion of Sunday’s event will determine who succeeds last year’s champion in earning the title of Japan’s top judoka, with medal ceremonies scheduled following the final matches of the day.