The Ne-waza discipline is rapidly gaining popularity across the judo world. What began as a supplementary discipline in veteran competitions has naturally evolved into a structured competitive format for cadets, juniors and seniors, driven by immense interest from the judo community. Following this trend, the Estonian Judo Federation successfully organised the first National Ne-waza Championship for these age categories.
The event saw a strong turnout of 140 competitors who demonstrated exceptional skill in ground fighting through highly dynamic and attractive bouts. The President of the Estonian Judo Federation, Mr. Ruslan Jakimov, initiated this competition as a strategic step forward, especially considering that the first-ever European Ne-waza Championships will be held next year. The team competition organised for the first time was particularly attractive. The match was held between judo representatives and Brazilian jiu-jitsu representatives. The judo team won 3:2.
This championship served as an excellent introduction and a strong incentive for other national federations to support the growth of this discipline.
European Judo Union Kata Commission, Dr. Slaviša Bradić shared his view on the event:
“I am extremely pleased with the Ne-waza competition we witnessed, a discipline that is clearly rapidly gaining popularity. The contests were incredibly attractive and the introduction of the team format, especially the clash between judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu representatives, adds a thrilling new dimension to the sport. I am confident that this success will inspire other nations to popularize Ne-waza, ensuring that next year’s inaugural European Championship reaches the highest possible standard.”
Key Benefits of Ne-waza Competitions:
• Safety: A significantly lower risk of injury compared to standing techniques, which promotes longevity in a competitor’s career.
• Specialisation: Provides athletes with a focused environment to master the techniques and principles of ground fighting, enhancing their overall judo proficiency.
• Broad Appeal: Simple and clear rules make the bouts easy to follow for a wider audience, increasing the sport’s visibility.
The official rules for Ne-waza competitions are available for download on the European Judo Union (EJU) website: EJU Ne-waza Rules
Estonia has set a high standard with this championship, confirming that Ne-waza is a discipline with a very bright future.
Images: National Judo Federation of Estonia
Author: EJU Media