Keiji Suzuki, who won the gold medal at the Athens Olympics and served as the coach at the Tokyo Games, was appointed as the new coach of the Japan Judo Men's National Team. I want to work hard and set the heaviest gold medal as the biggest goal. "
Director Kosei Inoue will be the director of the Japanese national team for judo boys for two terms and nine years, leading to the record of five gold medals for boys at the Tokyo Olympics, and his term will expire this month.
The All Japan Judo Federation held a board meeting on the 28th, and appointed Mr. Suzuki, who was the coach of the men's representative from Japan led by Director Inoue, because he could continue to strengthen it in the future.
In addition, Katsuyuki Masuchi, who led to winning four gold medals at the Tokyo Games, will continue to lead the women's representative from Japan.
On the 28th, Shin Suzuki and Masuchi met at the Kodokan in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo.
For the Paris tournament three years later, Shin Suzuki said, "Rather than making major changes in the short time of three years, we will dig deeper into what we have cultivated under Director Inoue. I want to work hard with the feeling of inheriting judo. "
He added, "The goal at the Paris tournament is a gold medal in all classes of individual competition and a gold medal in team competition. I want to work hard toward this goal." I want to raise it and do it. "
Shin Suzuki Director Athens Olympics Gold in the 100 kg class
Keiji Suzuki is a 41-year-old from Ibaraki prefecture.
In the 2004 All Japan Championship, he defeated Sydney Olympic gold medalist Kosei Inoue in the final to win his first victory.
At the Athens Olympic Games in the same year, he won a gold medal in a class over 100 kg by taking advantage of his sharp footwork.
After retiring from the front line of the competition in 2012, he served as a coach and general manager at Kokushikan University at his alma mater, and also served as a heavyweight coach for the Japanese men's national team led by Inoue.
All Japan Judo Federation Strengthening Committee Chairman "More Powerful Men's Judo"
Jun Konno, chairman of the All Japan Judo Federation, explained the reason why Keiji Suzuki was appointed as the Japan national team coach for judo boys. However, I highly evaluated the skill that made the players show their strength. "
On top of that, he said, "Although there was a humble statement that he would follow Inoue's further revival of the heavyweight class, I hope that Suzuki Shin will demonstrate his own characteristics and aim for even more powerful men's judo." ..
Judo Women's Masuchi Director "Further Evolve"
Katsuyuki Masuchi, who is in charge of the Japan Women's National Team, said, "I was a coach for five years and I was able to win four gold medals at the Tokyo tournament, but I didn't win any medals for all the players. Especially, the regret of losing to France in the team competition and the second place is still in my mind. "
For the Paris Olympics three years later, "It will be an away battle, but girls are waiting for a tough battle against their rival France. Based on what they have done so far, prepared for that. I would like to make further progress and do my best to make good reports. "