Technical-tactical comparisons between weight divisions in elite judo athletes

The purpose of the present study was to compare technical-tactical (T-T) aspects between weight divisions of elite judo athletes. We analyzed 154 male athletes. The T-T actions comprised the approach, gripping, attack, groundwork, defense, and pause phases. The main results indicated that athletes of half-middleweight division have more combat time with the right foot on forward position (p = .047) and middleweights perform a higher time in frontal foot position (p = .002). The light categories are those that most change the handgrip (p = .041), and extra-lightweight maintaining a lower handgrip time (p = .026).