Yaxx Women’s Judo Team Secures Third Place at 2026 All-Japan Corporate Judo Team Championship

The Yaxx Women’s Judo Team concluded the 2026 All-Japan Corporate Judo Team Championship with a strong performance, securing third place for Team A and reaching the best eight for Team B, according to a team statement. The tournament, held at Athlete Town Ena Arena in Kumamoto Prefecture, featured 42 teams competing across multiple weight classes, with results verified by the Japan Judo Association (JJA).

Event Overview and Tournament Structure

The All-Japan Corporate Judo Team Championship, an annual event organized by the JJA, brings together corporate-sponsored judo teams from across Japan. The 2026 edition took place on June 14, with teams competing in a round-robin format followed by knockout stages. The tournament’s format emphasizes team cohesion and strategic depth, with each match contributing to overall standings.

Host venue Athlete Town Ena Arena, located in Yatsuo, Kumamoto, is a multi-purpose facility known for hosting major judo events. The arena’s state-of-the-art training halls and spectator seating provided an optimal environment for competition, according to JJA officials.

Yaxx Team Performances

Team A of the Yaxx Women’s Judo Team finished third overall, a significant achievement in a field that included powerhouse teams like Sumitomo Corporation and Nippon Steel. The team’s performance was highlighted by consistent victories in the 52kg and 63kg weight classes, with standout performances from junior athletes. Team B, composed of reserve athletes, reached the quarterfinals before falling to the eventual champions, Takasago Electric.

A team spokesperson noted, “Every athlete brought their best, and the results reflect the hard work of our coaching staff and support team. While we aimed higher, we’re proud of the progress made.” The statement did not provide specific match details or athlete names, as per the team’s policy on athlete privacy.

Key Matches and Turning Points

Team A’s path to third place included a decisive victory over Osaka Gas in the semifinals, where they won three out of four matches. In contrast, Team B’s quarterfinal loss to Takasago Electric was marked by a close 3-2 scoreline, with a controversial decision in the 70kg division drawing post-match discussion. The JJA’s match review committee confirmed the call was upheld, citing “clear application of the 2024 rulebook amendments regarding weight class discrepancies.”

Notable performances included a dominant display by Team A’s 57kg athlete, who secured two gold medals, and Team B’s 68kg competitor, who earned a silver in the individual standings. These results contributed to the teams’ overall placements, according to JJA match reports.

Context and Significance of the Results

The Yaxx Women’s Judo Team’s performance marks a step forward in their development as a corporate team. While third place falls short of the top two finishers, it represents a 12% improvement over their 2025 results, according to internal team data. The team’s focus on youth development and technical refinement has been a key strategy, as outlined in their 2026 strategic plan.

The tournament’s outcome also impacts future competition seeding. Third-place finishers typically gain automatic entry into the 2027 All-Japan Corporate Judo Championships, a key milestone for corporate teams aiming to qualify for international competitions like the World Corporate Judo Championships.

Next Steps for Yaxx Women’s Judo Team

Following the tournament, the Yaxx Women’s Judo Team will transition to their off-season training program, with a focus on injury rehabilitation and skill development