Abstract - Analysis of re-gripping behaviors, gripping numbers, and targets A comparative study of gripping techniques preceding scored throws between the extra lightweight and half heavyweight categories in international judo competitions
Background. Judo competitors from various countries around the world have won medals at international competitions. We hypothesize that judo gripping techniques have evolved differently in each country as the practice of judo expands globally.
Problem and Aim: Few studies on gripping techniques preceding scored throws according to weight categories have been conducted. The purpose of this study is to elucidate whether there is a difference between the extra lightweight and half heavyweight categories in gripping techniques preceding scored throws.
Methods. 58 male and 50 female contests from the Judo Grand Slam Paris 2018 were analyzed using the DVDs recorded by the All Japan Judo Federation Science and Research Department. Throws resulting in scores were identified and the preceding gripping techniques were analyzed. Weight categories are the independent variables, while gripping techniques are dependant variables. Chi-squared tests were performed to determine variations in the frequency of scored throws between the extra lightweight and half heavyweight categories.
Results. In gripping targets preceding scored throws, the scoring rate of collar sleeve combination grips (CS-grip): collar grip, sleeve grip, collar and sleeve grip, collar and collar grip, sleeve and sleeve grip were significantly higher in the female extra lightweight category than the female half heavyweight category. In other words, the scoring rate of other grip (O-grip): the other grip, the other and collar grip, the other and sleeve grip, and the other and the other grip in the half heavyweight category was significantly higher than extra lightweight category.
Conclusions. A significant difference of gripping target preceding scored throw between the weight categories in female contest was found. This suggests that the types of effective throwing techniques, or applications in executing throwing techniques, are different between the extra lightweight and half heavyweight categories. In male contests, no significant differences were found between the two weight categories among any of the variables analyzed.