A Pandemic Pivot Toward Pure Enjoyment
Organized by Yamazaki, who competed in the sport from age seven through university, the tournament emerged from a desire to counteract the intense pressure young athletes face in conventional competition.
Yamazaki noted that the cancellation of the high school Interhigh tournament during his senior year due to the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a reassessment of how athletes approach the sport. The event aims to ensure children maintain a genuine affection for judo rather than measuring their worth solely through victory.
Division Breakdowns and Match Guarantees
The tournament splits competitors into two age brackets: a lower division for children in the first through third grades of elementary school, and an upper division for those in the fourth through sixth grades.
Each match lasts two minutes, with every participant guaranteed a minimum of two matches throughout the day.
Randomized Rosters and Tactical Cards
Instead of entering alongside regular club teammates, competitors are assigned to three-person teams drawn by the organizers and announced on the day of the event.
To balance competition and encourage tactical communication, each match allows one team member to deploy a “Besty card.” In previous iterations of the tournament, this card substituted non-judo contests—specifically a best-two-out-of-three game of rock-paper-scissors-style pointing (“atchimuite hoi”)—to determine the winner of that specific bout.
Cross-Dojo Friendships and Positive Feedback
The format has drawn positive reactions from both participants and parents, according to the organizers.
Observers reported seeing children who met just moments before cheering for one another and making new friends across dojo boundaries.
World Champion Guest and Spectator Logistics
Special guest Tajima Goki, a competitor for Park24 who won the 2024 World Judo Championships and the 2026 All-Japan Judo Championships, is scheduled to appear at the event.
Spectators can access the venue at 359 Otsuka, Hachioji, with general admission set at 2,000 yen, discounted to 1,000 yen for attendees referencing local promotional materials.
