Founded in 1991 as part of social contribution activities during the 70th anniversary of the company founding, the Komatsu Women's Judo Club is celebrating its 32nd year. Since its establishment, a total of 90 athletes have participated in competitions worldwide. The club has actively engaged in teaching judo at home and abroad, and in welcoming foreign judo competitors, with the goal to develop and popularize this sport.
With the Tokyo Olympics now complete, the club members are already starting to prepare for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Wakaba Tomita won the All-Japan Judo Championships by Weight Category, the Empress’s Cup All-Japan Women’s Judo Championships, and other domestic competitions, and at the Tashkent World Championships held in Uzbekistan, she won a bronze medal in the over 78 kg class. She also won gold medals in the mixed team, contributing greatly to Japan’s five consecutive titles. Miku Takaichi (Tashiro), in the 63 kg weight class, won the Kodokan Cup All-Japan Judo Championships by Weight Category in her return to competition after knee surgery, followed by three consecutive wins at the Grand Slam Tokyo and the World Judo Masters. She has also been selected to represent Japan at the World Judo Championships in Doha, Qatar, in May 2023. Lien Chen-ling, in the 57 kg weight class, will represent Taiwan in the same tournament.
The Komatsu Women’s Judo Club has continued to coach the Komatsu Kids Judo Club in Tokyo, while also directing and coaching judo classes around the world, including Japan, aiming to popularize this sport and train the next generation of judoka.
In 2022, no judo classes were held due to the situation faced by society. Aside from this exceptional situation, we organize judo classes every year in the places in Japan and overseas where Komatsu’ production bases are located, and over 100 children usually participate overseas. Judo classes at the fairs of our domestic plants also encourage the participation of children who have had no experience in the sport.