Japan Judo Coach Suzuki Criticizes Olympic Medallist
Japan men’s judo head coach Keiji Suzuki delivered a blunt assessment of 100kg-plus competitor Tatsuru Saito on Nov. 8, describing the heavyweight’s current form as lacking after a third-place finish at the Kodokan Cup All-Japan Weight Class Championships at Chiba-gin Arena in Chiba.
Saito Fails to Impress After Injury Return
Saito returned to competition following successive neck and lower back surgeries after the 2004 Paris Olympics. Suzuki acknowledged the physical hurdles Saito navigated during his rehabilitation, noting that the athlete spent time dealing with various injuries.
However, the coach pointed out tactical shortcomings during the tournament. Suzuki stated that while Saito showed good throwing moments, he also had periods of passively matching his opponent and concluded that his current level is still too strict for competing globally ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Weight Cut Changes Heavyweight Strategy
Saito altered his physique significantly since the Paris Games, dropping from approximately 170 kilograms down to about 156 kilograms. Suzuki questioned the physical adjustment, suggesting that the advantages of sheer size provided a past benefit that makes the current weight loss feel somewhat regrettable.
The national coach added that Saito was previously a competitor capable of winning through size alone, but moving forward, he will likely need to rely on technical execution and grip-fighting dexterity to handle international opponents.
Saito Sits on Selection Bubble for Tokyo Grand Slam
The Kodokan Cup served as a representative selection event for the Tokyo Grand Slam scheduled for December at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, where each weight class allocates four slots. World Championship representative Kanta Nakano, Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games silver medallist Hyoga Ota, and World Championship team member Yuta Nakamura—who won the Kodokan Cup—currently hold the top three selection spots for Asahi Kasei.
Saito sits on the bubble in third place following his performance. Suzuki expressed an open stance regarding Saito’s potential selection, explaining that with three athletes positioned above him, the final roster spot depends on evaluating the results of the tournament.
Heavyweight Division Lacks Competitive Edge
Suzuki also voiced frustration with the wider 100kg-plus division after the final match between Nakamura and Ota ended via three shido penalties due to a lack of decisive action. The coach criticized the repetitive nature of domestic bouts, pointing out that competitors frequently create distance and jump around without engaging, which he called an unnecessary waste of time.
Suzuki urged the third-ranked athletes to display a stronger competitive hunger to defeat those ranked above them, emphasizing that his mission since taking charge has been to rebuild the heavyweight category for the Los Angeles Games while accepting the current reality of the roster.
