The decline in Judo's popularity

I'm a third generation judoka here in SoCal...started in 1984 at age six...pretty much lived for randori and competitions all the way up till 2001. I still coach but mostly MMA and BJJ guys.

The decline of judo in the US is a direct result of small group of kata nerds thinking stupid rule changes would 'tap into Kano's true teachings' all the while differentiating themselves form a new grappling sport that was coming on the scene like wildfire. What they really did is shoot themselves in the foot.

O.G. BJJ guys back in the 90's would show up to judo dojos claiming to be judoka from Brazil wanting to randori, then play by BJJ rules and seriously hurt unsuspecting judokas. They also liked to show up to tournaments, do shit quality sacrifice throws to get you both on the ground, then attempt to stupidly illegal shit like cross face chokes in hopes that you'd tap before the ref caught them and kicked them out of the tournament.

This happened quite a bit in open division where I competed because BJJ betas were all about trying to prove their martial art could take out other martial artists at their own game regardless of size. I actually liked having them at tournaments because I also wrestled and my home dojo did kosen rules randori and shais several times a month. They were an easy win.

Needless to say the kata nerds at the top of the food chain started making rule changes....small point takedowns like koka disappear...lots of sacrifice throws get banned...certain grip styles get banned...eventual removal of leg throws...introduction of mandatory kata for shodan. All obviously aimed at keeping non-judo grapplers from gaining ground in their sport.

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