Brazilian visually impaired judo team arrives in Japan for joint training camp in Hirosaki Symposium exploring the legacy of Hirosaki-born judoka Mitsuyo Maeda also held

The Hirosaki City International Sports Project Executive Committee held a symposium titled "Jigoro Kano and Mitsuyo Maeda (Conde Koma): Pioneers Who Spread Judo to the World" at Hotel New Castle in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, on July 22, to commemorate the visit of the Brazilian visually impaired judo team. The symposium retraced the footsteps of Jigoro Kano, founder of Kodokan Judo and Japan's first International Olympic Committee (IOC) member, and Mitsuyo Maeda, a native of Hirosaki City who introduced Judo to Brazil and was known as Conde Koma (Count Koma).

This symposium served as a precursor to the Tokyo 2020 Participation Program "Support Program," which expanded its scope nationwide starting July 20. As part of efforts to leave an Olympic and Paralympic legacy outside Tokyo, municipalities across Japan are aiming to host pre-competition camps for overseas teams.

Under the banner of Maeda Mitsuyo's legacy and the city's policies promoting an inclusive society, Hirosaki City successfully hosted a training camp for the Brazilian visually impaired judo team from July 12th to 26th.

Four Brazilian Paralympic medalists (two men and two women) and two coaches visited Japan, conducting training sessions at local institutions like Hirosaki University and the Aomori Prefectural Police Judo Club. This facilitated high-quality training, including learning each other's practice styles and able-bodied students sparring with Paralympic medalists.

In the latter half of the camp, seven members of the Japanese National Blind Judo Team (including Rio medalists) joined, realizing a joint training camp for both the Brazilian and Japanese teams. Brazilian team member Lucia Araujo (London bronze, Rio silver) expressed her determination, stating, "I am confident that when we return home, we will have grown significantly."

At the symposium on the 22nd, three individuals gave special lectures.

Mr. Tateji Mito, former principal of Funazawa Junior High School in Hirosaki City, gave a lecture titled "Maeda Tōyō: From Hirosaki to the Kodokan. And Then to the World." Mr. Mito is a researcher on Maeda Tōyō and author of the book "The Story of the Conde Koma."

He praised the local pride, the judoka, stating, "Kōzō Maeda, who conveyed the splendor of the Japanese spirit to the world through judo, lives on even now."

Professor Hisashi Sanada of the University of Tsukuba, a member of the Culture and Education Committee of the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, spoke on "The Visionary Spirit of Jigoro Kano." He explained Kano's achievements in sending Maeda Mitsuyo, known as Condé Koma, to Brazil. Kenji Saito of the Tsukuba International Sports Academy spoke on the theme "Contemporary Brazilian Judo Practitioners and Condé Koma," discussing the role Japanese judo played in Brazil's judo community.

The Brazilian team presented signed polo shirts to Aomori Prefecture and Hirosaki City.
From left: Athlete Lucia Araujo, Hirosaki Deputy Mayor Masaki Ebina, Athlete Alana Maldonado, Aomori Prefecture Planning and Policy Department Director Keiichi Harada

 

At the reception following the symposium, with the speakers and Hirosaki Mayor Noriyuki Kasai (third from right in the top row)