Japan judo hits crisis point as bullied, burnt-out children quitChildren take part in a judo training session in Fukuroi, Shizuoka prefectureFUKUROI (JAPAN) - Japan is the home of judo but a brutal win-at-all-costs mentality, corporal punishment and pressure to lose weight are driving large numbers of children to quit, raising fears for the sport's future in its traditional powerhouse. Underlining the scale of the problem, the All Japan Judo Federation cancelled a prestigious nationwide tournament for children as young as 10, warning they were being pushed too hard. - Problem parents -Coaches who use corporal punishment can be stripped of their licences but parents are harder to control. "You have to treat each kid with care and have a long-term vision for the future, otherwise Japanese judo has reached its limit," she said. "Old-school coaches are scared that if we do away with the kids' competitions, Japanese judo will lose its strength.

Source: Bangkok Post June 20, 2022 15:52 UTC