Japan HC Kosei Inoue about Abe vs Maruyama: “I wanted to see this matchup in the Olympic”

＜Tokyo 2020 Olympic＞Japan Men's Judo -66kg Qualification Match Joshiro Maruyama vs Hifumi Abe ➡︎ https://youtu.be/wDvMrh4ebFw
After the exceptional match between Abe and Maruyama to decide the Olympic qualifier of the -66kg, Kosei Inoue (Judo Team Japan Head Coach) looked back at the match and talked to us about their vision toward the Tokyo 2020 Olympic.

Transcription
Q. How did you view this exceptional match?

Inoue:
Well… First of all, I would like to thank both Abe and Maruyama for showing us such as fantastic fight.

They have spent all their life to get here, and although a winner and a loser has been determined by the match, I think that they’ve fought an outstanding match for us.
Q. The long qualifying race for the Olympics has finally ended. How do you feel right now?

Inoue:
Well… To be really honest, I truly wished to see this matchup in the Olympics, although I understand that it can’t happen in reality.

I believe that Abe will fight at the Olympics, on behalf of Maruyama as well. At the same time, I believe that Maruyama will also be able to become stronger through making good use of this experience.
Q. After completing this 24 minute match, what words would you like to give to the two?

Inoue:
Not only that I’ve watched this 24 minute match, I’ve also been watching the entire process, of them working hard to reach this stage.

As I mentioned previously, they have put in everything to this match, working hard at the expense of many things, and showed all they’ve got during the fight.

I was watching all of this for the whole time. Since results are determined in the world of competition, we cannot avoid from having a winner and a loser, but I believe that the experience from this match will definitely lead to their future growth.

So, “Good Job” is the word I would like to say to the two.
Q. From your view as a Head Coach, what do you think is the strength of Abe?

Inoue:
Yes. Well… It’s difficult for me to make a comment on that, since we’re preparing for the Olympic now. I would like to talk about it on another opportunity.

All I can say right now, is that the match between the two was simply fantastic.
Q. Now that all weight classes for the Olympics has been confirmed, what kind of national team would you like to build?

Inoue:
We are not working to win at the qualifiers. The Japanese national team is intended to win the main tournament of the Olympics.

Although we are only able to choose 7 Judokas for the national team, I expect these 7 Judokas to fight with the pride of representing the country, and for our colleagues and people who have supported us until today.

The need to fight at the Olympic tournament with responsibility and self-consciousness.
And at the main tournament of the Olympic, we will show fights that give energy and courage to everyone watching.

This is a promise I swore to keep, after watching today’s match.
【Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games: Japan Men's Judo -66kg Qualification Match】
Venue: Kodokan 7F "Main Dojo" (1-16-30 Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-0003, Japan)
*Held behind closed doors to prevent the spread of COVID-19

Judoka:
White: Joshiro Maruyama (Mikihouse)
Blue: Hifumi Abe (Park 24)

#InoueKosei #judo #Olympic #AbeHifumi #MaruyamaJoshiro

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