Consideration for the misjudgment in the Sydney Olympic Judo
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In the 2000 Sydney Olympic, Shinohara Shinichi (Japan) and David Douillet (France) went into the final match for Men's Judo in over 100Kg class. After one minute and a half from start of the final, Douillet tried to make Uchi-mata against Shinohara. After Shinohara avoided the trick, he made Uchi-mata-sukashi, which is a counter trick against Douillet. Douillet was fallen down on his back. However, referees gave Yoko for Douillet. Many Japanese are boiling their blood with righteous indignation over the inscrutable judgment and many webs are published to protest the judgment. However, unfortunately I only know I Look Deep Into the Match "Shinohara vs Duillet" in which the situation is analyzed in details. I (webmaster) will try to analyze the situation with published video, photographs, and information. The analysis helps that you understand about the situation, I desire. Please send e-mails if you have any opinions and/or questions about this analysis. I publish my e-mail address at the end of this page.
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Fig. 1 shows that Douillet tries to make his Uchi-mata. Douillet's right leg contacts Shinohara's left leg to sweep the left leg. Keep your eyes on Douillet's right hand. The right hand clasps Shinohara's belt (Obi). The situation is more precise in Fig. 2. To confirm video that recorded the final match, Douillet had clasped the Obi since long before making his Uchi-mata. He has clasped for not less than six seconds. The chief referee had to give 'Shido' to Douillet for the violation but the referee did not. It was one of misjudgments in the final.
Fig. 3 shows that Douiilet's right leg separates from Shinohara's left leg. Both of Shinohara and Douillet keep their one leg on the mat (Tatami) because Shinohara has just avoided Douillet's Uchi-mata. If they had fell down together (Dou-tai), both of them could get no point. Fig. 4 is sharper than Fig. 3. Douillet's right hand has clasped Shinohara's Obi (it is a violation) and Douillet pulls the Obi (it is a violation) to turn Shinohara over. However, Shinohara rises up his left leg to avoid Duoillet's Uchi-mata. Namely, he adds moment inertia to himself. It becomes more difficult to throw Shinohara. Shinohara balances himself on his right leg beautifully.
At the next moment (Fig. 5), Shinohara's right hand pulls Douillet's left arm and Shinohara's left hand pushes Douillet's rib cage. Namely, Shinohara gives a rotation force for Duillet. Uchi-mata-sukashi is begun from the moment. Douillet has clasped Shinohara's Obi (it is a violation) yet to pull Shinohara down and over. However, because Shinohara folds his left leg, he can avoid Douillet's attempt. The folding leg makes counter force to keep Shinohara standing. Namely, to take his left leg back by himself, he keeps his balance amazingly.
Fig. 6 is a photo after a moment from Fig. 5. Douillet's right hand does not clasp Shinohara's Obi anymore and Douillet is in the air. Though Douillet tried to pull Shinohara down with his enemy's Obi (it was a violation), Shinohara has kept his right leg on Tatami yet. Shinohara has balanced himself with making good use of his left leg. Shinohara folds his right arm and he makes Douillet's left arm to stretch. It is evidence that Shinohara's right hand pulls Douillet's left arm. Shinohara has rotated Douillet by more than 90 degrees. Douillet can look up the ceiling of the stadium. Namely, Shinohara could control Douillet effectively. Fig. 7(a),(b) is a photo from other angle. Douillet does not contact Tatami and Shinohara keeps his right leg on Tatami. Douillet can only fall down on his back to Tatami anymore. Of course, he cannot somersault by himself because he is in the air.
Fig. 8 shows the moment when Douillet contacts with Tatami on his back. Shinohara's right leg separates from Tatami just before the moment. However, Shinohara's right hand has controlled Douillet's left arm yet. Fig. 9 is a photo from other angle. Shinohara's left hand has controlled Douillet's rib cage completely.
All of Douillet's back contacts Tatami in Fig. 10. However, Shinohara contacts Tatami with only his right arm. At the time, Shinohara's left arm has controlled and pushed Douillet's rib cage. The situation looks clearer in Fig. 11.
Shinohara falls down on his right side in Fig. 12 and 13. Somebody say that Shinohara should not fall down if he had completed his trick of Uchi-mata-sukashi. However, they have to remember that a violation (clasping Obi) by Douillet pulled Shinohara down. After a big guy falls down with keeping one's belt, anybody falls down. Additionally, they must remember that Shinohara did not fall down until he threw Douillet in spite of the violation.
It seems quite correct that a corner referee nearest Shinohara and Douillet could give a sign of Ippon to Shinihara (Fig. 14). Ippon is same as a fall of wrestling and K.O. in boxing. A Judo athlete (Judoka) throws his enemy. And the enemy is droppped on Tatami from his back. What should we define the situation? Of course, the Judoka shall get Ippon. Unfortunatly, the chief referee gave Yuko for Douillet. Yuko means an effective point. It was the most terrible misjudgment in the final.
Somebody say that Douillet had an advantage throughout the final match. However, Douillet blocked Shinohara's activity with his violations that were Kata-sode, Kata-eri, and keeping enemy's Obi. Kata-sode and Kata-eri means that a Judoka clasps one (right or left) side of enemy's jacket (Judo-gi) by his both hands. Keeping Kata-sode, Kata-eri, and/or keeping enemy's Obi in more than six seconds are violations. Because the chief referee did not give 'Shido' to Douillet for the violation, Shinohara had no chance to make a preemptive attack. Shinohara had a chance for counter tricks only. Namely, as soon as Shinohara avoided his enemy's preemptive attack, he had to make his counter trick. The counter trick is much more difficult than common tricks. It was "Technique wins against power". It is one of the most important Judo spirits. It was a real disappointing misjudgment, I thought.
References
- Considerations for motions of three judges
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