The 73rd Judo Tournament between Hitotsubashi University, formerly the University of Commerce, Kobe University, and Osaka Public University, was held on November 24th at Kobe University.
The tournament was founded in 1931. Although it was temporarily closed due to World War II, it was revived in 1953 under the name “Old Sansho University Judo Tournament,” and this year marks the 73rd time.
The format of the match is a 15-person team match. The rules are based on the Kodokan Match Referee Regulations, which stipulate that “Winners and losers are determined by waza-waza and warnings and above,” “effective pull-ups are allowed, and ground-waza is allowed to last longer.” It is held in a match format that allows you to take advantage of both standing and ground waza techniques.
In the first match, Hitotsubashi University defeated Osaka Public University with two players remaining, and in the second match, Kobe University defeated Osaka Public University with two players remaining, and the championship match was decided between the two schools that won the first match.
Championship match
Hitotsubashi University〇Two people left△Kobe University
[先鋒] Urinagi Nishioka◯Uchimata△Taisei Masagaki [先鋒]
[先鋒] Kaina Nishioka ○ Yoko Shihoga △ Wataru Hojo [次鋒]
[先鋒] Urinagi Nishioka ○ Kamishikata △ Teruto Ichinose [三鋒]
[先鋒] Kaina Nishioka ○ Sotogari △ Rie [五鋒]
[先鋒] Urinagi Nishioka ○Furi collar △ Yasuo Miyamoto [六鋒]
[先鋒] Kaina Nishioka ○ Sotogari △ Hidego Iwasaka [七鋒]
[先鋒] Urinagi Nishioka ◯ Dominance △ Ryosuke Kasai [中堅]
[先鋒] Urinagi Nishioka ○ Uchimata △ Taiichi Takeda [七将]
[先鋒] Kaina Nishioka△Draw△Yunari Miyamoto [六将]
[次鋒] Takumi Murata △ Combined techniques ◯ Tatsuhiro Sato [五将]
[三鋒] Togo Imada △ Back throw ○ Tatsuhiro Sato [五将]
[四鋒] Takashi Hasegawa ○ Combination technique △ Tatsuhiro Sato [五将]
[四鋒] Hasegawa Song △ Hogi ○ Nishiyama Masaharu [四将]
[五鋒] Yutaro Funomoto△Kasaya solid○Nishiyama Masharu [四将]
[六鋒] Ayumu Morisawa △ Yokoshihogata ○ Masaharu Nishiyama [四将]
[七鋒] Kaoru Horibe△Draw○Masaharu Nishiyama [四将]
[中堅] Naoto Furukawa △ Foot payment ○ Masashi Kozono [三将]
[七将] Hayao Saito ○Haikoshi △ Masashi Kozono [三将]
[七将] Hayao Saito △ Combined techniques ○ Banon Iro [副将]
[六将] Haru Adachi [副将]
[五将] Keinan Suzuki△Taifall○Shirou Banon [副将]
[四将] Oishi Tsusuke △Horizontal solid ○Accompanied by sound [副将]
[三将] Yukiki Maetani △ Wrist fracture and cross solid ○ Accompanied by sound [副将]
[副将] Kei Negawa ○ Kotogari △ Iro Banon [副将]
[副将] Kei Negawa ○ Uchimata △ Kugo Nogi [大将]
[大将] Takeshi Tada
The championship match was a match between Kobe University, who were eager to win on their home turf, and Hitotsubashi University, who were aiming for their third straight victory.
Hitotsubashi University has appointed ace Uminami Nishioka as its spearhead. Nishioka lived up to the expectations of the bench and showed good progress from the beginning. Using a variety of techniques such as Uchimata and Osotogari, he surpassed eight competitors and drew with Kobe University’s ninth player, Yusei Miyamoto. The trend quickly became that of Hitotsubashi University.
However, from this point on, Kobe University showed their determination, and their five generals, Tatsuhiro Sato, overtook two players, and the captain of the four, Masaharu Nishiyama, overtook three players, gradually closing the gap in numbers that had formed in the early stages.
Here, Hitotsubashi University’s Nachiho Kaoru Horibe steps onto the tatami mat. The battle between Nishiyama, who is trying to overtake the fourth player to make up the difference in numbers, and Horibe, who wants to make sure he draws and moves on to the next match, continues until just before the time limit, with Horibe managing to outrun Nishiyama’s onslaught. With 2 seconds remaining, Nishiyama entered the suppression mode and it looked like the match was over, but time ran out just before the call for “suppression” was made. It’s a draw here.
After that, a back-and-forth battle continued, with Kobe University trailing by five players, with their vice captain Shiro Banone making an appearance. Ban, who was unable to participate in this tournament last year due to injury, was especially brimming with fighting spirit. Using sharp standing techniques and stable ground techniques, he quickly overtook five competitors and finally tied the score. Hitotsubashi Vice-General Kei Negawa will be dragged out. The battle between the aces was filled with tension, but Negawa went on the offensive against Ban, who outran five players and looked tired. At the end, he closed in with a small sotogari and made the decisive “one.” Negawa, who remained on the tatami, passed the general as well, leaving Hitotsubashi University with a victory. Hitotsubashi University achieved their third consecutive victory. Kobe University was the runner-up for the first time in two years.
There are only two draws in the championship game. Because the rules make it difficult to determine the superiority or inferiority of fouls, the game always revolves around “take it or be taken.” It was a battle between both schools that was worth watching.
Also, this year’s tournament was a close one with only two players left in all three games. The match, in which the aces from both schools overtook multiple players, made us fully appreciate the real thrill of judo and the fun of “successful tournaments.”
Athletes from both schools who fought with all their might were applauded by alumni and other officials who filled the venue. Voices of praise echoed throughout the venue.
score
Winner: Hitotsubashi University
Runner-up: Kobe University
Third place: Osaka Public University
[First match]Hitotsubashi University ○ Two players left △ Osaka Public University
[2nd match]Kobe University ○2 players left △Osaka Public University
[Championship match]Hitotsubashi University 〇2 left △Kobe University
conversation
Hitotsubashi University Captain Haru Adachi
“First of all, I am very happy to have been able to win our third consecutive victory.In terms of content, in both races, I couldn’t let my guard down until the end, but my classmates and juniors persevered and fought through.However, this victory was not only due to the players, but also to the teachers who coached us. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to my seniors and everyone involved in the Hitotsubashi University Judo Club.I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone at Kobe University who worked so hard to prepare for the event.
Kobe University Captain Masaharu Nishiyama
“This year’s Old Sansho Taisen was able to overcome the coronavirus pandemic and be held at Kobe University’s Raisei-do Hall for the first time in seven years.We felt the weight of history and great joy in being able to hold the event on the 90th anniversary of the founding of Risei-do Hall, and we approached the event with a strong desire to bring home the championship trophy. In the end, I came in second place, but the time I spent working hard with my friends and growing together was an invaluable asset.Once again, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who worked hard to hold the Old Sansho Taisen and everyone who gave me so much support.
Spirit of mutual prosperity
The Old Sansho War did not end with just a “counterwar”. After the match, the winners congratulate each other on their victory, and the losers pledge to their friends to win next year. Not only the players but also the alumni who support them feel the same way. The annual joint social gathering between the three universities was held again this year, where they praised each other’s efforts, exchanged cheers, and sang club songs. Alumni have banded together to make this competition a tournament that resonates with as many people as possible, and in recent years, the tournament has also been streamed on YouTube with the cooperation of each university’s alumni association. This exchange based on the spirit of co-prosperity between self and others is the greatest feature of this tournament. This year’s tournament has been adjourned, as all participants hope that this tournament, which boasts a long history, will continue to grow.
Contribution/Photo provided by: Organizer
