100% KNOWLEDGE: ECh Montpellier_3

The European Championships is getting closer and closer, Montpellier is ready to guest the best ones of Europe ! Until the start of the Championships our judo expers are sharing their opinion about the favourites. Today is with us Ole Bischof (GER), Juan Gabi (ESP) and Vitalii Dubrova of Ukraine.

Also don't forget to check out other favourites opinions.

100% KNOWLEDGE: ECh Montpellier_1

100% KNOWLEDGE: ECh Montpellier_2

1.  Who made the biggest impact since the London 2012 Olympics ?

Everyone who asks me gets the same answer: I just go on with keep praising AvtandilTchrikishvili’s capabilities.

2. Of all your favourites for the ECh, which one of the can be the biggest surprise at the next Olympics ?

This question is ill-omened if you also consider a negative surprise. Anyway, I wish Teddy all the best to strengthen his reputation as a legend. Nobody claims this proposition to be easy.

3. Do you think that there should be weight limit in + categories ?

No, Judo is more than a sport. We should stay open for everyone and not blackball people because of a capacious body.

4. Judo after Olympics, easier or harder with new rules ?

Same, same but different.

5. I really enjoy to watch  my former contestants in the 81kg weight division. 

6. Would you change/add anything in Judo ?

Let me express my passion for team competitions in Judo. This concept is very strong and should be further promoted.

1.  Who made the biggest impact since the London 2012 Olympics ?

I think Loïc Pietri... he is one of the strongest players in -81, and the new rules are beneficial for his judo... but I never saw in him as a World Champion... and I was completly wrong.

2. Of all your favourites for the ECh, which one of the can be the biggest surprise at the next Olympics ?

It's difficult to say... we are 2 years away from the next Olympics... but looking back to London, Kelmendi in female and Tchrikishvili in male, can be the biggest surprise for Rio.

3. Do you think that there should be weight limit in + categories ?

No, never! We already have enough limits in our sport...

4. Judo after Olympics, easier or harder with new rules ?

It depends from your judo style... For example, as I said before in the case of Pietri, I think It's good for him (two grips), but not so good for the Olympic Champion Jae-Bum Kim, that has a very fast hands and he used to drive crazy all his rivals... Now he needs to change his way of  judo, so maybe for him, it will be harder.

5. I really enjoy to watch  Georgii Zantaraia.                                                                  

6. Would you change/add anything in Judo ?

Yes please!! Leave the zone alone! We had a good rule, players could do more judo, and referees had less work. But now we can't do judo near the edge, and referees have a caos!

1.  Who made the biggest impact since the London 2012 Olympics ?

Shohei Ono (JPN) and Kim Polling (NED)

2. Of all your favourites for the ECh, which one of the can be the biggest surprise at the next Olympics ?

Difficult to say, before the Olympics too much time. A lot can change.

3. Do you think that there should be weight limit in + categories ?

No, it is not possible.

4. Judo after Olympics, easier or harder with new rules ?

A lot of work for coaches, but judo much better than before.

5. I really enjoy to watch Shohei Ono (JPN) and of course Georgii Zantaraia (UKR) :)

6. Would you change/add anything in Judo ?

Landing on the "bridge" should not be always Ippon. Only a clean "bridge" can be Ippon, necessarily touch the head and at least one leg.