Abe vs Maruyama: Japan’s civil war at -66kg
There are rivalries, and then there was Hifumi Abe vs Joshiro Maruyama.
For years, the -66kg division in Japan was not just about international medals. It was about survival. Only one of them could go to the Olympic Games. Only one could wear the red back patch at Worlds. And both were good enough to be number one.
On the IJF World Tour, they fought six times. Abe won four. Maruyama won two. In domestic clashes in Japan, they met five times, with Abe taking three and Maruyama two. Overall record: 7-4 to Abe. But numbers alone do not explain the tension.
First blood in Tokyo
Their first major clash came in the final of the 2017 Tokyo Grand Slam. Maruyama was older, more experienced, four years Abe’s senior. It did not matter. Abe attacked with authority and finished him with ouchi-gari for ippon. Statement made.
Osaka revenge
In 2018, at the Osaka Grand Slam, Maruyama struck back. This time it was his turn to shine, combining uchimata into his trademark yoko-tomoe-nage to score. Pure “ippon judo”. Pure Maruyama.
Worlds 2019: pressure shifts
The rivalry deepened at the 2019 World Championships in Tokyo. In the semi-final, Maruyama came forward relentlessly. Abe looked cautious, perhaps too cautious. Maruyama seized the moment, scoring waza-ari with sumi-gaeshi. Two wins in a row. Suddenly the narrative shifted.
Osaka 2019: Abe fights for survival
The 2019 Osaka Grand Slam final felt like a career crossroad for Abe. A third straight loss would almost certainly have cemented Maruyama as Japan’s undisputed number one at -66kg.
Abe fought smarter. More tactical. Less emotional. He countered Maruyama and won. It was not spectacular, but it was essential. His Olympic hopes were still alive.
The 20-minute war
Then came December 2020. The All Japan Judo Federation could not decide who deserved the Olympic spot for Tokyo, so they created a special selection bout. One fight. Winner goes to the Olympics.
It was brutal.
Maruyama chased ippon. Abe managed the match. Dragging, pushing, attacking just enough to avoid shido. Golden Score stretched on and on. Nearly 20 minutes in total. Finally, Abe found ouchi-gari and threw for the decisive score.
Selection secured. Months later, Abe would win Olympic gold.
Worlds 2022: instinct vs discipline
They met again in the 2022 World Championships final in Tashkent. This time, Maruyama seemed to adjust, fighting more strategically, forcing activity, pushing Abe towards penalties. Abe picked up two shidos early.
It looked dangerous.
But Maruyama’s instinct for big ippon judo resurfaced. He attacked decisively. Abe countered for waza-ari. Momentum flipped instantly. Abe closed the door and took the title.
Doha 2023: tension without fireworks
Their final IJF clash came at the 2023 World Championships in Doha. It was tight. Strategic. Almost cagey. Abe led on penalties. Golden Score dragged on until Maruyama received a third shido after an exchange that could easily have been judged differently.
Another World defeat for Maruyama. Another confirmation that Abe was Japan’s Olympic choice for 2024.
Shortly afterwards, Maruyama stepped away from competition.
Two philosophies, one division
Maruyama represented pure attacking judo. Uchimata. Tomoe-nage. Constant forward pressure. He wanted to throw.
Abe blended attack with calculation. He could score spectacularly, but he also knew when to manage, when to counter, when to survive.
Together they pushed each other to a level few domestic rivalries ever reach. The result? Olympic gold for Abe. Multiple world titles. And a rivalry that defined a generation at -66kg.
Japan did not just produce two champions. It created one of the most fascinating internal battles the sport has seen in years.
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