JUDO

JOC cuts judo funding after physical abuse probe

Sports Mar. 20, 2013 - 06:38AM JST ( 3 )

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2

windandseaMar. 20, 2013 - 09:45AM JST

Symbolic gesturing by the JOC is nice; however, anyone who has had experience in Jpns martial arts or sports knows this sort of thing (abuse) is rampant and systematic. It is certain everyone around the women's national judo team knew it was going on but said nothing. It was a heroic thing the ladies did by going public, but it is yet to be seen if their careers will be negatively affected by this. They may well end-up ruined in an activity they have dedicated their whole lives to, and to such a pinnacle of achievement, for speaking out against the hubris and inhumanity of the system. The budoh or martial arts are considered to be stepped in tradition and character-developing. Let's consider the flip-side of those same coins: (1) jaku nike kyou shoku, the weak are the food of the strong, (2) deru kugi wa utareru, the nail that sticks up is pounded down, (3) Jpns vertical society, its unquestioning top-down system in which nothing less than the yes-man survives, (4) absolute power corrupts, absolutely. Apply this same template and we can see how much of the society functions. It would be nice to see things change as a result of the JOC's mandates; however, it is hard to believe that things will change when they are so endemic in the society. In any case, best wishes to the ladies, their lifetime of effort, and sacrifice.
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LowlyMar. 20, 2013 - 01:27PM JST

Sorry, it is just hard for me to take seriously an organization like that setting up an "anonymous tip line". Really? It will be acted upon? Not ignored? Tiptsters won't be punished? It will be transparent? Independantly run or at least reviewed?

I agree w/ alot of what you say windandsea, but not so absolutely. Yeah it exists, and yeah it is widespread and to some extent expected/ accepted. But it is not universal. And as far as using the words "martial arts" to make your point, it is very important to remember that there's really a bunch of different worlds within martial arts, with a lot of ppl turning to MA to escape bullying, and strengthen themselves.

Another aspect of "different worlds" is the origins of martial arts, with some coming down from training developed by military groups and other organizations, and some coming down from very weak, small villages/ families who have to protect their children/ women/ aged, from, well, bullying, various attacks.

I don't like how the JOC looks from the outside, and I recognize that attitude and behavior from a lot of different places where it is prevalent. But you have to be careful of generalizations and jumping to conclusions when you are not on the inside.
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smithinjapanMar. 20, 2013 - 04:49PM JST

“After a thorough review, the committee concluded that serious misconduct had occurred,”

So then why isn't the abuser in jail? Good old Japan.... beat a kid in sumo to death and then get away with it. Abuse women in judo and get away with it. This 'cutting funding' thing is just lip service; they'll still fund the sport and still allow the beatings to continue. They just want to put lipstick on it.