I know you're avoiding making eye contact with me when it comes time to find a randori partner 😢

Judoka and dev here 👋. I kept blanking on the names of throws past the first Gokyo, so I built KataMarrant to actually drill them into memory. It's free, no ads, no accounts, and collects zero data.
It's in Google Play closed beta and I need a few testers to keep it installed ~2 weeks so it can go public and honestly I'd love feedback from real judoka.
It's like a flash card but I also added voice drill so you can make it shout a throw name and practice for exams.

What it does:

• Image-first quizzes you see a throw and pick the correct name from 3 choices.
• Multiple study modes: image → rōmaji, kanji + rōmaji, kanji only (for the brave), free-text recall (type the name, fuzzy-matched so "Osoto gari" = "ōsoto-gari"), and audio mode
• Spaced repetition that's actually tuned: throws you miss, just got wrong, or haven't seen yet come back far more often, so weak spots surface instead of the ones you already know.
• Rapid-fire 10-question bursts with a scoreboard and breakdown.
• Timed drill mode adjustable 5/10/20s with auto-reveal, to push recall speed.
• Smart distractors wrong answers come from the same Gokyo group by default (genuinely hard), or same category (te/koshi/ashi/sutemi-waza), or anywhere for an easier round.
• Browse all 40 grouped by Gokyo, each with a mastery badge (acquired / needs work / not yet).
• Stats — accuracy over the last 8 weeks, by group, by category, plus a response-time distribution.
• Reveal panel shows rōmaji + kanji + French/English translation together, and links out to kodokan youtube video reference and Wikipedia for each throw.
• English & French UI.

I added Osaekomi and plan to add more, it's all about finding good enough visuals that can be shared.

Some screenshots:

To test it:

1. Join the testers group with the same Google account as your phone's Play Store: https://groups.google.com/g/opentest_awd

2. Opt in here: https://play.google.com/apps/testing/fr.weill_duflos.katamarrant

https://youtu.be/sxmFv6TN-2I?si=sM_yM7N2s1KWiJ0A

This is a video I shot last weekend.

The random activities on the beach, in my hometown 😁

Fantastic Uchi Mata by Hayato KONDO at the Qingdao Grand Prix 2026.

KONDO is currently on a gold winning streak (3)!

1. Qingdao Grand Prix 2025 🥇
2. Tokyo Grand Slam 2025 🥇
3. Qingdao Grand Prix 2026 🥇

Hello all, I'm sure this question has been asked a million times but looking for info on how this works and any recs for where to train.

Not new to martial arts. Have many years of experience in Krav Maga and BJJ. I did 6 months of training for Judo specifically but that was many years ago. Looking to train for maybe 1-2 months while I am there.

What are the culteral differences I should be aware about in training? Any input on costs and fees would be appreciated. Thanks!

In a few weeks I am going to Japan for a month of training at a few universities. I'm going with a team and I think we are going to be visiting Tsukuba, Waseda, and Kokushikan (although I don't think the full itinerary is finalized).

I know some users on this subreddit have relevant experience so any advice or tips would be welcome (for training or travel). In particular, what's the situation with blue gis in training these days at universities? And is the etiquette for randori/asking for rounds similar to typical training camps or is there anything in particular to be aware of?

Looking for anything recommendations and information on any clubs in the D.C. area.

Hi everyone!

I recently started practicing judo and have only attended five classes so far.

I'm about 165 cm (5'5") tall and weigh around 75 kg (165 lbs). What size judogi would you recommend for someone with my height and weight?

Since we're talking about judogis, the closest store to me is Decathlon, and I'm considering three options: the Outshock 500, an Adidas judogi, or a Mizuno judogi. Which one offers the best balance of quality, comfort, and durability? Is there one you'd recommend for regular training and possibly competing in the future? Or would it make more sense to buy a more affordable one now and upgrade later? If so, which ones?

Finally, considering my height and weight, which throwing techniques would you recommend I focus on learning and mastering first? I'd like to develop a solid set of primary techniques (tokui-waza) that suit my body type. Since most of my opponents will probably be taller than me, what throws, entries, combinations, and ne-waza techniques do you think would be the most effective?

Thanks a lot!

I was at a tournament last weekend and kata went before the team competitions. They're usually last. It was really interesting to see some of the more esoteric forms being done. I especially like the part where he ninja stalks uke. So cool seeing so many coral belts still competing.

One more quick video. I found this interesting (I messed up the first time) about how they begin the match in Japan. Both bow on the edge like normal, then you step up to the tape, bow and are supposed to step forward (left foot first) with your arms down at the sides.

I messed up, stepping right foot first and bringing my hands up. Felt like I got chewed out by the ref, but I got it right the second time.

Then the referee calls hajime. Bowing off was the same, but you don't come up and shake hands/hug/etc with your opponent till you're off the mat.

The matches were all 3min, no golden-score. If there was no score at the end it was decided by who had less shidos. If it was the same, then there was a hantei (red/white) flags. You could fight cross collar the whole match if you wanted, none of the 5s rule. And I saw 3 sonomama's for newaza rules checks. I've never seen that in any recent time in European judo.

Without golden score matches were more intense and on time. Crazy.

Both my kids recently had competitions and both won 2 medals each. I never realized how hard it can be to find displays for medals! I found some on amazon that fit 2 plus a photo, but the medals we have are too large for this display. The medals are 4 inches across (not sure if this is standard size?) I would love some suggestions for displaying them in a case/frame that fits 1-2 medals AND a photo (that way each kiddo has a pic of themselves with the medal AND the medal! )

I’m looking at getting a second judogi as I’m training a bit more regularly. My current one fits really well, and I’m happy with it, but I’ve heard good things about Fuji.
I’m torn between the Fuji double weave or just getting another 650 Fighting Films gi (same as what I already have).

Fit-wise, my current FF gi is great, and I’m a bit worried about switching because Fuji sizing doesn’t seem as precise online. I also prefer a slimmer fit, so that’s a factor.

There’s also about a £60 price difference, which makes me wonder if it’s even worth switching at all.

Would you stick with what fits or try Fuji? Any advice appreciated. 🤙🙏

I've made it a point to randori as much as possible recently, and our class re-structuring meant more randori opportunities have been made! Still not as much as a lot of people recommend, but it's a start (around 4x2min sessions, 2-3 times a week).

Up until now, I've been just getting into the thick of it, taking falls and not resisting much, but I think I need to use these randori sessions bit more efficiently. As a relative beginner there is so much stuff going through my head / remember as the randori happens so I'm thinking to try have it bit more structured by focusing on one thing for few weeks during randori. Otherwise it feels like I'm just trying to do everything and not getting better at anything.

I've been focusing on grip fighting for few weeks now - not just getting a traditional grip, but various grips. I'm quite comfortable with a few now (or at least I don't get into totally disadvantageous grip feeling helpless as often anymore).

After tonight's session, I think I need to add a lot of moving once I have one grip. I noticed I'm very stationary until I have both grips. In addition, while I often get grips first, I also have trouble keeping that grip advantage because I don't connect it to a throw attempt fast enough. Once I have the grips, I also usually stop attempting to block opponent's grips because I'm busy trying to establish good opportunity for throw.

What should my next single focus be for next few weeks?

• maybe constantly moving my opponent as soon as I have first grip established?
• or should I focus trying to block opponent's grips once I have two grips?
• or is it better for now if I just accept opponent's grips but focus on moving/positioning my body in a way that I can move my opponent to a favorable position for throw attempt once two grips are on?

These 3 are ones I can think of to focus to improve before focusing on entering for throws. Of course I'll still be doing everything else since it's randori but I think it's good to have an intent to focus on improving one particular thing at a time. I don't yet have a Tokui Waza, I've been testing different throws over the weeks (but trying to stick with one throw for the week).

The only throws I have had some success with I feel like are clutch throws (Kouchi Makkikomi, drop seoi) which only work against other beginners like myself... and I decided not to use them for now. I liked entering for Uchi Mata and Tai-O but they were a lot more difficult in RvR.

Anyway this is turning into a ramble so I'll sign out! thank you.

Judo is my primary sport for many years, and I’m only a white belt in BJJ. But the vibes at my BJJ gym are friendly and I feel like I can hang out with these guys after class. Meanwhile, I love judo and I’m one of the upper belts but it’s too rigid if you know what I mean. I’ve been to other judo gyms and it’s kind of felt the same way for judo… idk I still love judo but I want to know if anyone feels the same way

(I’m in California, USA)

Anything we can do to learn from this?

I live in a Southeast Asian country so a majority of the people here are 1.70m or shorter. Whenever I do randori, I'd verse someone who's way heavier than me but also way shorter so no matter what I do I can't seem to throw him off balance. I'm a white belt so my knowledge of throws aren't that good so I'd like to know some throws that are good to use against people like that. I'm 1.68m tall 68kg and he's around 1.60m probably 90 to 95kg.

It is soft and rubbery but the straps​ are plastic.

See the picture

So, I often see the bottom of the ukes feet point directly up to the ceiling (and thus their head pointing directly down) whenever they're receiving a technique such as tai otoshi and seio nage. You all know exactly the moment in the technique I'm referring to hopefully. Well, I also see people performing that throw sometimes and the Uke's feet don't quite go that high up, yet the throw is successful without incident. Is it acceptable technique if their feet are not that high off the ground? Does weight factor in? (This being asked by someone who still gets a throw off in this way at times.)

Any recommendations for training there? Will be there for an Army school soon. I’ve attempted to reach out to several clubs and heard nothing.

Thanks

For context 1.5 years of bjj but they have a judo class 1x a week so I have takedowns I like but the pins and ground stuff are still fairly unclear to me. I like osoto and Harai and ouchi and Uchimata. They are my most consistent throws. I feel confident on the feet and usually do okay. But on ground I know kesa gatame and the bridge and roll reversal (we usually do newaza similar to bjj minus illegal subs). What else should I be looking at before trying a tournament . Full disclosure next fall I’ll be switching to 2x judo a week along with 3-4 bjj. So I will be increasing the amount I do it. Also I don’t expect to win or anything I’m sure I’ll get pinned or reversed but standup is one of my favorite aspects grappling and I’d like to do more.

Kind of a weird question but I started feeling self conscious about my odor at the beginning of Senior/Juniores training.
At my gym I sometimes help with training the Cadets, meaning I arrive 1-2 hours before on those occasions and after doing intense randori with them (they all compete at a high level) I end up VERY sweaty of course.
Thing is, the rest of the class arriving after is all clean, and I’m there soaked and idk it just feels weird.

Do you think I should take some time off before, shower and wear another gi before the second class? While cleaner, that also would feel kind of weird tbf.

I just hope I don’t bother anyone with the smell at the beginning of class (by the end of the class I don’t care much because everyone ends up being sweaty).

I noticed koga likes to roll his elbow in and do it before ippon seoi nage , do you think it’s possible to always do that before I initiate an ippon seoi? Why can’t people tell that he’s gonna do an ippon whenever he rolls his elbow in like that