Japan men’s judo head coach Keiji Suzuki publicly criticized the International Judo Federation’s reinstated wazari scoring criteria on October 13 following the conclusion of the World Championships, arguing that the broad and unpredictable application of the rule contradicts the sport’s core objective of rewarding decisive technique.
Wazari Rule Reinstatement and Extended Scope
The International Judo Federation brought back the wazari score in 2025 after abandoning it in 2017, aiming to shorten match durations and decide bouts through dynamic throws rather than penalties. Two years into its implementation and following fresh adjustments earlier this year, the federation expanded the acceptable range for a wazari. This broader definition led to a high volume of controversial and razor-thin decisions throughout the recent World Championships.
The 100-Kilogram Final Dispute
Arai executed a forward attack that sent both competitors crashing to the mat, initially appearing to secure the decisive advantage. Slow-motion replays instead awarded the score to Sulamanidze for an o-soto-gari counter, showing the Georgian's right shoulder hitting the canvas before Arai landed on his front. Arai, who had celebrated prematurely under the assumption he won, raised his hands in open confusion when officials awarded the match to Sulamanidze, leaving the Japanese fighter with his second silver medal.
Coaches Voice Widespread Frustration
Speaking after the team returned from Baku to Narita Airport, Suzuki detailed the deep confusion shared among international coaching staffs regarding the governing body’s adjudication standards. Suzuki stated that from the team’s perspective, athletes cannot comprehend why they lose matches under the current interpretations. He added that officials explain decisions by pulling up frame-by-frame replays and stopping them to declare points, failing to convince competitors. According to Suzuki, coaches from multiple nations approached him after the final to question how anyone could feel happy with such contest outcomes, confirming that delegations plan to voice their concerns through official tournament feedback questionnaires.
Looking Ahead to the Los Angeles Olympics
With contentious officiating also drawing scrutiny at the 2024 Paris Olympics, similar refereeing controversies threaten to overshadow the 2028 Los Angeles Games if the scoring parameters remain unchanged. Suzuki acknowledged that while everyone understands the desire to avoid matches decided entirely by penalties or shido, awarding scores for slips, falls, and ambiguous scrambles changes judo into something entirely separate from its traditional winning criteria. He emphasized that judges should properly evaluate whether a throw carries genuine impact and effectiveness, rather than letting an overly broad wazari definition dictate championships.
Japan Team Medal Performance in Baku
Despite the refereeing disputes at the top of the podium, the Japanese national judo delegation concluded the World Championships with a robust medal haul across individual and team events. The men’s squad secured seven total medals, including three golds, while the women’s team captured five medals with four golds. Japan also reclaimed the mixed team world title for the first time in two tournaments before flying back from Azerbaijan.
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