Lee Kyu-Won’s Reverse Seoi — Double Stab (Part 1)

In this sequence, we see “Reverse Seoi” specialist, Lee Kyu-Won of South Korea, attempting his famous technique twice in a row (one after another). This is sometimes referred to as a “double stab”. In this case, his first attack did not achieve sufficient rotation (which is necessary for this technique). Instead of abandoning the technique, he gets up and immediately launches into another “Reverse Seoi” straight away, and this time, it works!

Lee (white) squares off against his opponent with a left-handed stance and a left-handed grip on uke’s right lapel

The moment he gets his “two-on-one” grip (his right hand goes for uke’s right lapel as well) he starts dropping down

For this technique to work, Lee needs to achieve a strong clockwise rotation as he drops but he doesn’t achieve it in this case

Normally he should have achieved an 180 degree turn by now but here it’s barely 90 degrees from his original stance

Nevertheless he tries to throw his opponent as he would with a norma morote-seoi-nage

This doesn’t work because he has two hands on uke’s right lapel and no control on uke’s left sleeve

Instead of staying down and allowing uke to attack him in newaza, Lee gets up, preparing to take another stab at the technique

Even before uke gets up fully, Lee is already launching into the exact same technique… again

With his two-on-one grip on uke’s right lapel, he drops down, twisting in a clockwise direction

Caught by surprise, uke falls over and on top of Lee even though the Korean has not achieved his normal 180 degree rotation

Lee aids the momentum by continuing to pull down on uke’s right lapel, causing him to tumble over onto the mat…

… and flat on his back

Lee Kyu-Won’s Reverse Seoi (Front & Side View)

In this posting, we continue to examine the “Reverse Seoi” as done by South Korea’s 2009 World Champion, Lee Kyu-Won.

In the first example, he is seen throwing Takashi Ono of Japan with a perfect “Reverse Seoi-Otoshi” which would have scored ippon had the referee not called matte just as Lee began the technique. There was no score given but it does give us a clear front view of how the technique is done.

In the second example, we get a side view of Lee executing this technique against Ono. This time, the technique doesn’t work as smoothly and only a yuko is scored. Nevertheless, it gives a good perspective of how Lee twists and drops into the technique.

Lee gets a “two-on-one” grip on Ono’s right lapel — the standard set up for his reverse seoi

With the grip secured, he twists (in a clockwise manner) while dropping at the same time

For this technique to work, he needs to rotate his body considerably

Even before his knees hit the mat, he’s already rotated at least 90 degrees

By the time he hits the mat, he’s rotated nearly 180 degrees

Lee gets down very low as he pulls Ono on top of him

In a classic “Otoshi” movement, Lee just pulls Ono down onto the mat

It would have been ippon if matte had not been called earlier

In this version, we get to see another Lee “Reverse Seoi” but from a side view

Lee reaches with his right hand to secure a “two-on-one” grip on Ono’s right lapel

The moment he secures it, Lee starts the “twist-and-drop” (clockwise) movement

His knees have not fully hit the mat yet and Lee’s already rotated about 90 degrees

Lee gets down very low as he tugs on Ono’s right lapel with both hands — notice how much he’s rotated

Once rotation is at 180 degrees, Lee would usually have his opponent on his back but here Ono manages to keep some distance

Nevertheless, Lee continues to pull downwards with his “two-on-one” grip on Ono’s right lapel

It succeeds in tipping Ono over for yuko — it would have been a higher score if Ono was loaded onto Lee’s back

Lee Kyu-Won’s Reverse Seoi

Every now and then, new techniques come into vogue and everybody seems to be using them. One example is the “Laats Takedown”, which was very popular amongst European players (it’s now banned because it involves a leg grab). Another is the “One-Handed Sode”, which was popular throughout the world. Now, the latest trend seems to be the “Reverse Seoi”, which practically every Korean and Japanese player has in their repertoire.

This technique was first popularized by Korea’s World and Olympic Champion Choi Min-Ho, who could be seen using this as early as 2003. However, this technique really came into fashion only in 2010 when it was used with great frequency amongst Korean and Japanese players. Interestingly, the Europeans have not really picked it up yet, although Italy’s Elio Verde can be seen using it from time to time.

The Japanese player who specializes in this is Hiroaki Hiraoka. Takashi Ono and Yuya Yoshida have also had some success with this. World Champions Masashi Ebinum and Hiroyuki Akimoto have also been seen trying this technique.

Korean players who use this include double World Champions Kim Jae-Bum and Wang Ki-Chun. However, the one who has really made this his tokui-waza is World Champion Lee Kyu-Won, who uses this technique more than anything else.

In this posting and the next few after it, I will be examining Lee’s unique approach to the “Reverse Seoi”. It’s worth mentioning that the Japanese refer to this as “Reverse Seoi-Otoshi” while Neil Adams has referred to it as the “Reverse Seoi-Nage”. Which is more accurate?

Actually, it depends. Most of the time, it is done as a drop technique where you literally roll your opponent onto his back, so in such a case, “Seoi-Otoshi” is more apt. However, occasionally, it is done as a throw, where you spring up and hurl your opponent onto his back. In such a case, “Seoi-Nage” would be a more appropriate term to use.

Lee mainly does it as a drop (“Otoshi”) but occasionally does it as a throw (“Nage”).

The first example I want to show you comes from his gold medal match in the finals of the -90kg class at the 2009 World Championships. His opponent was Kirill Denisov of Russia who dominated most of the fight with his heavy gripping. However, in an opportunistic moment, when Lee managed to get the grip he wanted, he dropped underneath a surprised Denisov and rolled him over for ippon.

The sequences below, which offers views from different angles, illustrate how Lee did it.

Lee (blue), who already has a lapel grip with his left hand, reaches for the same lapel with his right hand

Upon securing a “two-on-one” grip on Denisov’s right lapel, Lee twists and drops in a clockwise movement

As he drops down onto his knees, Lee continues his clockwise twisting motion

With both knees on the mat and both hands on Denisov’s right lapel, Lee executes a strong downward pull

Notice how Lee continues to swirl in a clockwise motion — this is crucial to the success of the technique

Denisov is now completely off-balanced as Lee continues to pull strongly downwards

This is clearly an “Otoshi” movement as the opponent is being pulled downwards (not being hurled upwards)

Denisov probably doesn’t even know what’s hit him — Ippon scored!

Here, we see Lee’s attack from another angle — notice his right hand reaching for Denisov’s right lapel

Once Lee has secured his “two-on-one” grip on Denisov’s right lapel, he is ready to do his “drop-and-twist”

Lee starts to twist clockwise as he begins to drop onto his knees — Denisov has no idea what’s going on

The clockwise twisting motion continues as Lee lands on his knees — important for generating momentum

At this point, Denisov has completely lost his balance and tumbles on top of Lee’s back

Lee’s “two-on-one” grip on Denisov’s lapel allows him to continue to drive forward and roll his opponent

Although Lee only has a lapel grip, the strong forward momentum is enough to drive Denisov onto the mat

Denisov finds himself completely rolled onto his back — this is a deceptively powerful technique

A close-up look at Lee’s attack — notice how both his hands are gripping onto Denisov’s right lapel

The entry is similar to morote-seoi-nage except it’s done with a “two-on-one” grip on the right lapel

Here you can see Lee dropping under and twisting on Denisov’s right lapel — he doesn’t need a sleeve grip

Notice how Lee’s twist on Denisov’s right lapel causes the Russian’s right arm to be trapped

The “two-on-one” lapel grip doesn’t offer that much control but Lee makes up for that by surging forward

As Denisov falls to the mat, Lee switches from driving forward to twisting onto his side to aid the roll

The crucial “two-on-one” grip on Denisov’s right lapel allows Lee to twist and roll Denisov onto his back

The reverse seoi looks like it lacks control but as Lee demonstrates, it can land your opponent on his back

Judogi Pyramid

The world's first judogi pyramid launched at the 2011 Paris World Championships (IJF)

On first day of competition at the 2011 Paris World Championship, the first-ever pyramid of judogi was officially inaugurated by Jean-Luc Rougé, President of the French Judo Federation and new Secretary-General of the IJF.

The idea behind the judogi pyramid is very simple: Every spectator, athlete or official can bring a judogi, drop it into the pyramid and he/she will receive a 30% discount for a new judogi from Greenhill or Adidas stores in Bercy. “

The donated judogis will then be used in judo-related social projects globally such as Judo for Peace, Judo for Children, 100 Black Belts, etc.

Former World Champion Ruben Houkes (NED) donates his judogi (IJF)

During the ceremony, former World Champion Ruben Houkes of Holland donated his judogi. Ruben, who is involved in the IJF Judo for Children Commission, believes strongly in the concept of using judo as a development tool to promote a better society.

2011 AIPS Judo Award

David Finch (3rd from left) & Thierry Rey (4th from left) (IJF)

The AIPS Judo Commission decided to give the 2011 awards to veteran photographer, David Finch, and to famous TV presenter, Thierry Rey (also a former World and Olympic champion).

The AIPS (Association International de la Presse Sportive), founded 87 years ago (1924) in Paris, has within its framework various Specialist Commissions and among these commissions is the one for the sport of judo.

Men’s +100kg

+100kg Final: Riner (FRA) throws Toelzer (GER) with ouchi-gari for ippon (JudoPhotos.com)

This division is the one the Paris crowd has been waiting all week long for. Teddy Riner was expected to blitz all opposition and win the gold for France. His main challengers were Japan’s Keiji Suzuki of Japan, an Olympic and double World Champion who had taken Riner to time in the Baku World Masters earlier in the year and lost by a hantei; and Andreas Toelzer of Germany who had lost to Riner by a yuko in the final of the 2010 World Championships.

Fifth-seeded Abdullo Tangriev of Uzbekistan and Daiki Kamikawa of Japan, who had beaten Riner in the 2008 Olympics and 2010 World Championships respectively, were possible stumbling blocks to the mighty Frenchman.

Riner, as expected, rose to the top of Pool A with little problem. There was an upset in Pool B, when Kamikawa was defeated in the first round by Holland’s Grim Vuijsters (seeded 20th), who was then beaten by South Korean’s Kim Sung-Min. Kim rose to the top of Pool B by defeating three-time World Champion Alexander Mikhailin. Meanwhile, Pool C was won by the up-and-coming Oscar Brayson of Cuba. Over in Pool D, Suzuki failed to get past the large Iranian Mohammad Rodaki, who beat him on penalties. Toelzer beat Rodaki in the quarter-final to top Pool D.

Germany’s Toelzer did not look particular strong in his fight against Cuba’s Brayson, with both men seemingly content to fight a strategic battle of grips. Neither one wanted to put in a genuine attack, perhaps fearful that the other could counter it. In the last minute, perhaps in an attempt to stave off a shido, the Cuban came in with an unconvincing drop technique that had him on all fours. Toelzer seized the opportunity to do groundwork, rolled Brayson onto his back and pinned him for ippon. He was through to the final.

Riner towered over Kim and the difference in size was obvious. Kim was back-pedaling when Riner came in with a massive osoto-gari that literally had the Korean airborne for a moment. Riner would be meeting Toelzer in the final.

Bronze Medal Matches
Russia’s Mikhailyn, who was making a comeback did not look impressive at all in his bronze medal fight against Cuba’s Brayson. It was as battle of grips and a contest of penalties. Midway through the contest, the Russian managed to counter the Cuban for a solid waza-ari score but he squandered that lead through penalties. By the end of five minutes, both men were even at a waza-ari each. Instead of trying to throw the Cuban, Mikhailyn played a tactical game that worked. Brayson received another shido, which mean a yuko score for his opponent. The bronze went to Russia.

Kim of Korea looked tiny compared to Iran’s Rodaki whose dominant gripping style caused Kim to step off the mat and incur a shido. The Korean fought back with several attacks while the Iranian parried them off. A slowish uchimata-makikomi worked though and he was able to pin the Iranian to the ground for ippon. Korea wins the other bronze.

Final
The final of the men’s +100kg division was what the Paris crowd came to see and it was the ideal final – a  rematch of the +100kg final in the 2010 Tokyo World Championships.

Toelzer had clearly been studying Riner and adopted a left-handed grip on Riner’s right shoulder that negated most of the Frenchman’s forward attacks. After a few failed attempts at such attacks, Riner simply changed the direction of his attack and with an ouchi-gari, took Toelzer down, flat on his back. Ippon!

(JudoPhotos.com)

Men’s +100kg
Final
RINER, Teddy (FRA) vs. TOELZER, Andreas (GER)

Semi-Finals
RINER, Teddy (FRA) vs. KIM, Sung-Min (KOR)
BRAYSON, Oscar (CUB) vs. TOELZER, Andreas (GER)

Bronze Medal Fights
MIKHAYLIN, Alexander (RUS) vs. BRAYSON, Oscar (CUB)
RODAKI, Mohammad (IRI) vs. KIM, Sung-Min (KOR)

Repechage
BOR, Barna (HUN) vs. MIKHAYLIN, Alexander (RUS)
JABALLAH, Faical (TUN) vs. RODAKI, Mohammad (IRI)

Results
1. RINER, Teddy (FRA)
2. TOELZER, Andreas (GER)
3. MIKHAYLIN, Alexander (RUS)
3. KIM, Sung-Min (KOR)
5. BRAYSON, Oscar (CUB)
5. RODAKI, Mohammad (IRI)
7. BOR, Barna (HUN)
7. JABALLAH, Faical (TUN)

Women’s -78kg

-78kg Final: Tong (CHN) holds down compatriot Qin (CHN) to win the gold (IJF)

If France’s Teddy Riner had a female equivalent, it would be China’s Olympic and multiple World Champion, Tong Wen. Tong had won gold medals in the 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009 World Championships but was banned in 2010 by the IJF after she failed a doping test. She contested the ban and returned to active competition this year.

Tong blitzed her way through Pool A, winning all her matches by ippon. Cuba’s smallish Idalis Ortiz (seeded 5th in the IJF World Rankings) topped Pool B, while Tong’s compatriot Qin Qian topped Pool C. Japan’s 3rd-seeded Mika Sugimoto topped Pool D.

The Qin vs Sugimoto semi-final fight was a battle for grips and nothing else. Neither one was willing to try any big throws. As time ran out, Qin grip more aggressively than ever and perhaps wanting to avoid a penalty, Sugimoto attacked with a half-hearted uchimata that had her flopping to the ground. The strong Chinese fighter climbed on top, rolled her over and pinned Sugimoto for ippon.

In the other semi-final, Tong finished off her Cuban opponent with her trademark soto-makikomi into ushiro-kesa-gatame hold for ippon.

Bronze Medal Matches
It was Japan vs Japan fighting for bronze. Both fighters obviously knew each other only too well and it was yet another battle of grips and penalties. In the end, Sugimoto defeated her teammate Megumi Tachimoto through penalties, in a very boring bronze medal match.

The other bronze medal match saw more action. Russia’s very athletic Elena Ivashchenko footswept Cuba’s Ortiz for yuko and then armlocked her for ippon.

Final
The final was an all-China affair and as to be expected when two judoka who know each other too well meet in a match, it’s usually a fierce battle for grips. Tong, however, didn’t have to rely on penalties to win. She launched a makikomi attack and rolled Qin onto her back to pin her for ippon.

(IJF)

Women’s +78kg
Final
TONG, Wen (CHN) vs. QIN, Qian (CHN)

Semi-Finals
TONG, Wen (CHN) vs. ORTIZ, Idalys (CUB)
QIN, Qian (CHN) vs. SUGIMOTO, Mika (JPN)

Bronze Medal Fights
TACHIMOTO, Megumi (JPN) vs. SUGIMOTO, Mika (JPN)
IVASHCHENKO, Elena (RUS) vs. ORTIZ, Idalys (CUB)

Repechage
TACHIMOTO, Megumi (JPN) vs. POLAVDER, Lucija (SLO)
BRYANT, Karina (GBR) vs. IVASHCHENKO, Elena (RUS)

Results
1. TONG, Wen (CHN)
2. QIN, Qian (CHN)
3. SUGIMOTO, Mika (JPN)
3. IVASHCHENKO, Elena (RUS)
5. TACHIMOTO, Megumi (JPN)
5. ORTIZ, Idalys (CUB)
7. POLAVDER, Lucija (SLO)
7. BRYANT, Karina (GBR)