Russian Judo

Author: Alexander Iatskevich
Pub: 1999 by Ippon Books
Pages: 92
Ranking:

This is one of the 'Judo Masterclass Techniques' series of books. If you don't already own these books, start saving up right now... Ippon Books charges a pretty penny for these, I got lucky on a Christmas sale and picked up all 14 of them for $225. They are all at least as good as anything you'll be able to find anywhere else, and mostly superior. They are all written by acknowledged experts of the techniques being discussed. You simply cannot go wrong on any of the "Masterclass Techniques" books. I have my favorites among the 14 listed books, but they simply reflect my tokuiwaza, and no other reason.

               Contents

  Foreword .......................... VI
  Introduction ..................... VII
  A History of Russian Judo ......... IX
  A Personal History ................ XV

  Tachiwaza .......................... 1
    Belt Grips ....................... 2
    Defences -- against belt grips .. 10
    Miscellaneous attacks ........... 20
    Defences -- against other grips . 31

  Newaza ............................ 36
    Armlocks -- Attacks ............. 40
    Arm locks -- Openings ........... 48
    Armlocks -- Escapes ............. 56
    Leglocks ........................ 66

  Russian Judo in Competition ....... 69
  Index ............................. 91

FORWARD

OF THE 50 C0UNTRIES IN THE European Judo Union in 1999, no fewer than 14 of them came from the former Soviet Union. They included Georgia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Latvia and, of course, Russia.

In the words of one experienced competitor who knows the style only too well: 'You don't just have one Russian to fight, you have a dozen.'

And in the arena of the world championships, the numbers are even higher, with Uzbekistan and Kazhakstan among others.

This alone demonstrates how much a book such as Russian Judo is needed. The influence of the Russian system on judo has always been strong since it burst upon the scene at the Tokyo Olympics, and has continued ever since.

And there is no better figure to record its background and consider its influence than Alexander Iatskevich, who was not only an outstanding champion in his own time, but, as a coach with the Belgium national team, has also made his mark upon the international scene.

The primary quality that permeates this book is, paradoxically, a love of judo with all its technical intricacies. A noted technician, Iatskevich accepts the reality of multifarious styles. To his eyes, and he is very convincing, a huge 'Russian' belt-throw is as exciting, effective and valid as a classical uchimata. He also insists that, when done well, it is as technical -- and not just the product of brute strength as many judo purists like to believe.

Moreover, as everyone who has worked with him in international judo knows, Iatskevich is as clear in his teaching as he is generous in his personality. Jigoro Kano himself may not have recognised some of the technique in this book. But I have no doubt that he would have approved of both the teaching and the character of Alexander Iatskevich as representative of the judo he founded and which, over a century later, is stronger than ever.

Nicolas Soames
IPPON BOOKS