Kenji Sasaki of Tontontei Judo Club secured victory in the men’s 81kg class at the All Japan Senior Judo Championships, held on February 21st and 22nd at the Ohama Daishin Arena in Sakai City.
Sasaki’s return to the competition was noted by judo observers, as highlighted by JudoWeekly, a platform dedicated to the sport. The All Japan Senior Judo Championships serve as a key national event for judoka in Japan, the birthplace of the martial art and Olympic sport.
Judo, created in 1882 by Jigoro Kano, emphasizes techniques focused on throws, takedowns, pins, joint locks and chokes. The International Judo Federation (IJF) oversees the sport globally, with participation in over 200 countries. Sasaki’s participation in the championships follows a period of activity documented by JudoHighlights on YouTube, which features footage from IJF World Tour events.
The championships took place in Sakai City, a location with a history of hosting judo events. Sasaki’s win comes after a period of training and preparation, and represents a significant achievement within the Japanese judo community. Sasaki holds a 3dan from the Kodokan, a prestigious ranking within the sport.
Sasaki’s participation was likewise noted in connection with a planned judo trip to Japan organized by Sasaki Martial Arts, originally announced for 2025. The trip aimed to provide participants with opportunities to train with high-level teams and experience Japanese culture.
