A few weeks ago, Abe demonstrated his exceptional level once again, at the Tashkent Grand Slam, where he claimed gold with authority. That performance now serves as the foundation for a new video in which the champion revisits his competition day, analysing each contest and explaining the tactical and technical choices that guided him to victory.
From the opening round, Abe reveals that his focus was clear. He concentrated on ashi-waza and on maintaining a strong posture, two elements he considers essential for his style of judo. For Abe, posture is fundamental. Even when opponents attempt to break his balance or pull him down, he makes a conscious effort to keep his head up and maintain structural control.
Another defining feature of Abe’s approach is his constant search for ippon. If the opportunity arises to score with his favourite technique, sode-tsuri-komi-goshi, he will seize it without hesitation. Yet his judo is far from limited to one attack. Variety and adaptability are key parts of his arsenal, allowing him to find solutions in many different situations. When placed under pressure, Abe explains that he always tries to create space. By maintaining a certain distance from his opponent, he preserves the freedom and fluidity needed to launch decisive attacks at the right moment.
Pressure can also come from outside the contest area. During the tournament in Tashkent, the Uzbek crowd supported their own athletes with great enthusiasm naturally. For Abe, however, such an atmosphere must never distract from the objective. Concentration remains focused entirely on the contest.
The video also takes viewers into the final, where Abe faced his compatriot Shinsei Hattori. Although the two had trained together in randori, they had never met in official competition before. The final delivered one of the most spectacular moments of the weekend, with Abe producing a decisive technique that secured the title in style within a few seconds.
Hearing a champion of Abe’s calibre analyse his own performance offers a rare and valuable perspective. Through his explanations, viewers are placed directly in the mindset of an elite judoka, understanding the details that transform preparation into victory. This new video invites fans and practitioners alike to step inside the action and learn from one of the greatest athletes of his generation. It is an opportunity to experience judo through the eyes of a champion.