Failed to reach number one in Japan, narrowly lost in the national team match, runner-up/All Japan student weight group championship tournament – ​​Meiji University Sports News Department

This is the last opportunity for this year to aim for Meiji University’s goal of becoming the best in Japan. Last year, they defeated Tokai University but finished as runners-up in this tournament. In the first match, the Sapporo War, he won five consecutive games. In the third round, against Teikyo University, they easily won 4-0 thanks to a hit by five generals, Torayuki Takemura (Politics and Economics 4 = Private Taisei). The next quarterfinal match will be against Chuo University. The spearhead, Sakuto Matsubara (Politics and Economics 3 = Private Taisei), provoked a foul and took the lead. Furthermore, mid-ranked Naoto Izawa (Politics and Economics 2 = Narashino) and general Kenta Sekimoto (Commerce 4 = Narashino) won without any danger. The opponent in the semi-finals is Kokugakuin University. Although Matsubara, the spearhead, was defeated, Takemura, the second spearhead, prevailed in a fierce grapple and won by ippon. Furthermore, in the five general and mid-career battles, he won a waza-ari and gained a large lead. The vice-captain, Captain Taketo Mitsuoka (Sho 4 = Omuta), tied the game, and in the end, the general, Sekimoto, won with a Kesagatsu from Otogari. “The team is in good shape and at an all-time high,” Matsubara said. Meiji University won with overwhelming strength.

The finals arrived. Last year, they lost here and fell one step short of being number one in Japan. And their opponent in the final, Tokai University, is a nemesis that has prevented Meiji University from winning the championship many times this year. The spearhead, Matsubara, seemed to be suppressed in the early stages, but after that, neither team gave in and the match ended in a draw. The second battalion, Aoi Koki (Politics and Economics 3 = Kisarazu General), was suppressed by Kosoto, who was aiming for a momentary gap, allowing him to take the lead. Tokai University’s cheering around the venue grew even louder as they won this one-shot victory. The five generals, Takemura, faced the onslaught of an opponent with a greater height difference, and like Kogi, he was held back and offered one. In a situation where the flow was completely controlled by the opponent, Izawa, a mid-level player, saved the team. Izawa launched a fierce attack from the beginning and won the ippon with a sumikae. Izawa’s brilliant throwing technique changed the atmosphere in the venue. Next, the three generals, Hidetaka Tokumochi (Politics and Economics 4 = Sutoku), and the vice general, Mitsuoka, showed the determination of the highest grade students and brought it to a draw. The outcome of the battle was left to the generals to decide.

The battle between the generals was spectacular. The general, Sekimoto, ignored the pressure and brilliantly won the ippon in about one minute. With both schools tied at 2-2, a representative match was held in the GS format. Meiji University players are excited. Will my long-cherished wish finally come true? The final battle was left to Matsubara in the 73kg class. Both players used their techniques and bravely attacked each other, but the situation continued to be even. However, as the match time exceeded four minutes and the tension increased, the opponent’s Uchimata was judged to be a decisive move. The winner of the national team match was Tokai University.

I couldn’t grab the number one spot in Japan. However, through this race, I felt that I was getting closer to the view of the summit. Coach Shingo Nakahama commented on this year’s team, saying, “It was a good team that Mitsuoka put together well as captain.I’m grateful that he put together a team for this tournament.” This tournament was the last team competition for Mitsuoka and other fourth-year students who supported Meiji University, and it was a retirement match for the athletes who will not be participating in the Kodokan Cup All-Japan Weight Class Championships. Meiji University lost once again just before winning the championship, but their will will be passed on to the next generation. “The team’s goal is to be number one in Japan,” said Coach Nakahama. Let’s win next year. I look forward to seeing the bravery of Meiji University under the new system.

[Fujiwara Moo]

Comments after the match

Supervisor Nakahama

――What do you think of the results of this tournament?

　“I’m disappointed that we didn’t come close to winning the championship for the second year in a row.I think conceding two goals was an important reason for our loss.If we had conceded just one goal, our emotions probably would have won.”

–How did the final match go?

“Izawa became the student champion and has become a pillar of the team. All I wish was Mitsuoka and Tokumochi could get one point, but I got the impression that the opponent’s defense was solid as well.”

――What are your thoughts on next year?

“As much as the fourth-year students have led us up until now, I made sure to convey to the third-year students that they will not be able to get good grades unless they act with a sense of crisis. We will do our best with the goal of being the best in Japan as a team.”

Matsubara

――How do you look back on this tournament?

“Last year, I lost badly in the final, but I think I was able to do a good job of judo today. However, I’ve been trying to win the championship all year, so it’s frustrating.”

――Please look back on the final.

“There’s still one more step left. I realized once again that it would be difficult to take that step and win. I felt like I had no choice but to play the national team.”

Return to article list