Mastering the High-Percentage Throws for Ippon: Stats from the Best Judoka
Judo is all about timing, technique, and precision. While there are dozens of throws to learn, certain throws consistently lead to Ippon (the perfect throw), which ends the match. But which throws have the highest success rates, and what sets the world’s best Judoka apart in their ability to execute these throws? Let’s dive into the stats behind high-percentage throws and take a look at some of the top Judo players and the techniques that help them dominate on the mat.
What Makes a Throw High-Percentage for Ippon?
In Judo, Ippon is the ultimate goal of any throw. It’s awarded when a competitor successfully throws their opponent onto their back with force, speed, and control. However, not all throws are created equal. Some throws have a higher success rate due to their ability to off-balance the opponent quickly and forcefully.
High-percentage throws for Ippon tend to share a few common features:
Strong kuzushi (off-balancing): Creating a strong imbalance is the first step in setting up any successful throw.
Proper timing: Knowing when to execute the throw is critical. The best Judoka can sense the exact moment to attack.
Adaptability: Being able to switch between different throws depending on the opponent’s movement and reactions.
Top Judo Players and Their High-Percentage Ippon Throws
The world’s best Judoka have refined certain throws that they’ve used to earn consistent victories. Let’s take a look at some of the top players in Judo and their high-percentage throws for Ippon.
1. Teddy Riner (France) – Uchi Mata (Inner Thigh Throw)
Teddy Riner, one of the most decorated Judo players in history, has won numerous World Championship titles and Olympic gold medals. His signature move is the Uchi Mata (inner thigh throw).
Throw Breakdown: Riner uses his massive size and incredible control to execute a flawless Uchi Mata, where he sweeps his opponent’s leg while simultaneously lifting them with his body. Riner’s ability to maintain perfect kuzushi while using his strength and leverage makes this throw one of his highest-percentage techniques.
Success Rate: Uchi Mata is one of the highest-scoring throws in his repertoire, delivering Ippon with great consistency due to his ability to get his opponent’s leg off the ground and control their movement.
Teddy Riner performs a perfect Uchi-Mata
2. Shohei Ono (Japan) – Seoi Nage (Back Carry Throw)
Shohei Ono is known for his Seoi Nage, one of the most successful throws in Judo. His technique has helped him win multiple World Championships and Olympic gold.
Throw Breakdown: Seoi Nage is a shoulder throw where the Judoka uses their hip and shoulder to lift the opponent onto their back, creating a clean Ippon. Ono’s success lies in his flawless timing, quick entry into the throw, and precision in lifting and throwing his opponent.
Success Rate: Ono has a high success rate with Seoi Nage, particularly when he enters the throw while his opponent is off-balance or attacking. His ability to land Ippon with this throw makes it his go-to technique in major competitions.
Shohei Ono performing O-Soto-Gari (for some reason) using an armpit grip.
3. Clarisse Agbegnenou (France) – Uchi Mata (Inner Thigh Throw)
Clarisse Agbegnenou is a dominant force in the women’s Judo world and has earned multiple World Championship titles. Like Riner, she excels with Uchi Mata, using it to secure many of her wins.
Throw Breakdown: Agbegnenou’s Uchi Mata is characterized by precise movement and exceptional timing. She utilizes her footwork and kuzushi to set up the leg sweep with devastating effectiveness. By lifting her opponent’s leg and guiding them over her, she secures Ippon with smooth control.
Success Rate: Uchi Mata is a key element of Agbegnenou’s strategy and results in frequent Ippon victories. She’s one of the most successful women in Judo with this move, frequently using it to dominate her opponents.
Clarisse Agbegnenou using expression based Kusushi
4. Ryu Shichinohe (Japan) – Tomoe Nage (Circle Throw)
Ryu Shichinohe, a competitor from Japan, is known for his creative and effective use of Tomoe Nage (circle throw), a throw that isn’t seen as often in modern Judo, but when executed correctly, it’s a powerful weapon.
Throw Breakdown: Tomoe Nage involves the Judoka using their body to create a circular motion, pulling their opponent over their head and onto their back. Shichinohe’s timing and positioning make him especially dangerous with this throw, as he can surprise opponents with quick and fluid movements.
Success Rate: Shichinohe’s ability to land Ippon with Tomoe Nage is impressive, especially given how unexpected the move is for opponents. This throw isn’t as commonly used at the highest levels but has been incredibly successful for him when executed at the right time.
5. Naohisa Takato (Japan) – Ashi Waza (Foot Techniques)
Naohisa Takato has made his mark in the Judo world with his Ashi Waza (foot techniques), particularly his Kouchi Gari (small inner reap) and De Ashi Barai (advancing foot sweep).
Throw Breakdown: Takato is known for his lightning-fast footwork. He uses Ashi Waza to attack his opponent’s legs, off-balancing them quickly and sweeping them off their feet with precision. His De Ashi Barai is a signature move that takes advantage of his opponent’s step forward to swiftly sweep their foot.
Success Rate: Takato’s foot sweeps result in high rates of Ippon. He is quick, agile, and precise, making him a dangerous competitor when it comes to Ashi Waza.
Naohisa Takato being goofy.
The High-Percentage Throws: Why Timing Matters
While the above Judoka have their favorite, high-success throws, the real secret to their success lies in timing. Ippon isn’t about just throwing an opponent, it’s about throwing them at the right moment. These high-percentage throws work because the Tori takes advantage of the opponent’s off-balance position and seizes the opportunity to execute the throw.
The success of a throw depends on:
Kuzushi (off-balancing): You need to get your opponent’s weight onto the leg or position that is vulnerable to your attack.
Timing: Knowing when your opponent is most vulnerable to a throw and reacting instantly.
Commitment: Once you’ve set up the throw, committing to it fully is key to executing it successfully.
The Takeaway: Mastering High-Percentage Throws
While there are many throws to master in Judo, certain throws consistently produce high rates of Ippon. Judoka like Teddy Riner, Shohei Ono, and Clarisse Agbegnenou have made their names with certain signature techniques that they’ve perfected through practice, timing, and precision.
For beginners and seasoned competitors alike, focusing on mastering these high-percentage throws can give you an edge in competition. Whether it’s Uchi Mata, Seoi Nage, or Ashi Waza, these techniques have been proven to work time and time again at the highest levels of Judo.
So, the next time you hit the mat, remember that mastering these high-percentage throws could be the key to landing that Ippon and taking your Judo to the next level.
Your Turn:
What are your high-percentage throws? Why do you use them, and how do they work best for you? Also, who is your Judo hero or inspiration? Let’s hear who motivates you and what throws you’ve mastered from their playbook. Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Kids Kick Butt at 2025 Governor’s Cup
Des Moines Judo kids with Sensei Hanssen
On March 15th of 2025, nearly an hour before the adult competition, Sensei Ryan Hanssen led a squad of five (5) young Judoka from our children’s judo program as they took to the mat for the honor of our dojo and personal glory. Jayce and Brayden Hanssen, Cillian Nizzi, Brogan Lindsey, and Aurora Wright all took to the mat in their respective divisions to demonstrate the skill and athleticism developed through long hours of training, and test their mettle against the best competitors they could find.
While each competitor’s matches were action packed and worthy of review, this author would only expound upon each competitor’s best performance for his loyal audience.
Brayden and Cillian each rapidly defeated the third competitor in their bracket and met one another in a heated match to determine who would take gold or have to settle for silver. Brayden tried his best to bring his opponent down with Hanssen family’s signature Koshi-Guruma, but Cillian presented a competent defense each time, hipping in and posturing up. On offense Cillian demonstrated a far more mobile style of judo, using circular motion to disbalance his opponent to create openings for Uchi-Mata and O-Soto-Gari. Unfortunately for Cillian, Brayden, being a seasoned competitor was able to meet and overcome this tactic through strategic us of grips and defensive posturing. After a reset by the referee, both combatants switched tactics, opting for a brief exchange of foot sweeps, with Cillian bringing Brayden to the ground for a non-scoring Tai-Otoshi. The two continued in this fashion for a short while longer before Cillian was finally able to catch Brayden off-guard with a will timed Uchi-Mata for victory by Ippon. The two fought well.
Aurora’s determination and aggression allowed her to take a bronze medal in her division, with her most exciting match being against Isabella from Sempai Judo Academy. Both girls came out guns blazing, charging one another to immediately grip up and throw a flurry of O-Soto-Gari at one another. While Aurora was the first to fall in her match, immediately escaping her opponent’s attempt at Kesa-Gatame, she was quick to follow up with an O-Soto-Otoshi, scoring a yuko, and to capitalize on her success by using Kesa-Gatame herself. The next bout yielded a solid Waza-Ari for Aurora off O-Soto-Gari, prompting her opponent’s team of coachs to prompt Isabella to make a drastic change in tactics. After another hard fought bout with no score, Aurora and Isabella clashed again, with Isabella disbalancing Aurora mid-attack, knocking them both over. In the mad scramble for position, Isabella was able to out scurry Aurora and secure a firm pin via Kesa-Gatame, which she maintained long enough for Ippon. While Aurora might not have won this match, which lasted over three minutes, she was in the lead when the final bout began, had maintained a lead for most of the match, and fought hard to the bitter end. Aurora should take pride in her accomplishment and in that it took her competitor benefitting from the combined experience of Sempai’s extended coaching staff to overcome her.
On his path to silver medal, Brogan faced off against Luca from Teikiatsu Judo, in a match lasting only fifteen (15) seconds. Luca assumed an aggressive and forward stance from the onset of the match, immediately charging to grip up with Brogan. Rather than meeting Luca’s charge directly, as many of our other junior competitor’s would have, Brogan embraced the teaching of “Seiryoku Zenyo” or “maximum efficiency",” shifting to the side and out of Luca’s path as he attempted O-Goshi. Luca stopped his forward charge in time to spin Brogan in almost a complete circle, which Brogan responded to by shifting neatly into Harai-Goshi followed by Kesa-Gatame on the ground. The pin was unnecessary, as the throw’s satisfying “thawp” told both the referee and the crowd Brogan has scored an Ippon.
Lastly, Jayce got to meet his rival, Asher Bruner, in the most recent in a long line of contests between the two. The most recent match was a furious affair, both upright and on the ground, ranging across the entirety of the tatami. The first bought ended with Jayce up a Waza-Ari from De-Ashi-Barai, with the follow up on the ground resulting in no further score. The second bout, in which both competitors were making textbook demonstrations of the down then up method of kuzushi, saw Asher tie the score using Uchi-Mata, with neither judoka able to score on the ground as follow up. After two bouts with the young judoka’s duel ranging to the edges of the mat and yielding no score, the rivals clashed a final time. Jayce managed to get his lapel hand around Asher’s neck and began to drag him into the Hanssen’s signature Koshi-Guruma. As the two spun with Jayce creeping his hips into position to reap his final score, Asher, familiar with the familial technique from prior encounters, shouldered into Jayce and threw out a leg, brining Jayce to the ground with Tani-Otoshi for Ippon. Jayce took home a well earned silver medal, and this author looks forward to seeing what Jayce brings to overcome his rival when next they meet.
Honor and glory to our young competitors! We all look forward to great things from you in the future!
Rokkyu Duo Clean Up at 2025 Governor’s Cup
From Left to Right - Kasten Lappe, Jon Milledge, Ian Schaff
On March 15th, 2025, two yellow belts or “rokkyu” from the Des Moines Judo Academy made their competitive debut at the Iowa Governor’s Cup Tournament, which was hosted by Teikiatsu Judo in Ames, Iowa. Adult competitor turnout was a sharp decline from 2024, during which sensei and academy founder Bret Parkhill made his final regular appearance coaching. Despite adult participation being thinned by scheduling and recent injuries, Karsten Lappe and Jon Milledge made up for quantity with quality.
Karsten, is a young man of 22 years of age who attends most, if not all, weekday classes at our dojo and occasional Saturday open mats. Standing 6’7”, Karsten fought in the 220lbs+ senior men’s open rank, winning both his matches against the green belt, or “yonkyu,” Brent Shipley from Sempai Judo. Karsten’s first match was won by application of the “renraku waza'“ (combination technique; when two or more attacks are made in sequence) Uchi-Mata, followed by O-Soto-Gari, earning an “Ippon” (full point, which wins a match). His second match was won by scorring Ippon via “Osae Komi” (pin), a varient of Yoko-Shiho-Gatame (commonly referred to as side control in jujitsu), after taking his opponent to the ground without scoring, securing the gold medal for his division. A southpaw, Karsten is known in our club for his explosive strength, preference for extremely high collar grips, and his love of Uchi-Mata, which he’s striven to improve since he first arrived at the Des Moines Judo Academy.
Jon Milledge, a man of 35 who stands at approximately 5’8”, fought in both the senior men’s middle weight novice, and the senior men’s 161lbs & Under open rank divisions. Jon, an mma fighter in the process of winding down his mma career, is one of a pair of far travelling Judoka who consistently grace our dojo at Saturday open mats and the occasional Thursday class. Jon fought five total matches between the two divisions. While Jon lost his first match by throw for Ippon, he went on to only have one more loss for the day, by submission while attempting to pass guard. Jon’s extensive drilling of “ashi waza” (leg/foot techniques), particularly foot sweeps, showed, as he scored “Waza Ari” (half point, two of which are required to win a match) by both Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi, and De Ashi Barai. While he did win one additional match by submission, the highlight of the adult competition of this tournament was an Ippon scored using Nidan Ko-Soto-Gari as a counter to Uchi-Mata, further demonstrating Jon’s ashi waza dominance. Sensei Parkhill, reviewing a video of the match, commented that the counter was “a thing of beauty!” Jon took gold in the open rank, and silver in the novice.
Despite being the only adult judoka to take to the mat or “tatami” to represent our Academy at this tournament, they were not alone. Ian, Jon’s long time training partner and travelling companion, was also present to give his support despite being wounded. Jon’s family was also present to cheer him on, and were enthusiastic, if frequently confused. The three are seen together in the cover photo for this entry, celebrating their victory.