If Judo and Jiu Jitsu were a test of strength, we could just have a set of weights at the door – and a contest as you come in to see who is strongest, and then go home having never touched the mats. Now wouldn’t that be silly?

You know how new White belts rely on strength and physicality? And upper belts tell them they should use less strength and more technique, right? But wait… some upper belts come across as using strength at times don’t they? Have you ever noticed how a 165 pound black belt can feel like he weighs over 200 pounds? The experienced guys can focus their strength in ways that perhaps make you think they are much stronger than you or that they are using strength but that may or may not be true.

Shohei Ono is regarded as one of the world’s top Judoka. He has won three World Championships and two Olympic gold medal. Ono is unbeaten in international Judo competition since 2015.

His speciality is uchi mata, and he holds one of the highest ippon rates in judo. Ono also takes his strength and conditioning very seriously as you can see in this video.

He focuses on Olympic lifting and also countless solo drills to work on his Judo muscle memory.

In this video, Judo Youtuber Chadi interviews top Japanese Judoka Kotaro Sasaki asks him about the training split that was done in the gym back when he was a Tokai university student, and professional Judoka.

Ono packs some serious power and some serious technique. Competing at 73kg, you can see in the video how he threw the monstruous Teddy Riner during a randori session.

Rolling Strong combines scientific exercises and routines specifically geared towards grappling.

Phil Daru is a performance coach for over 200 Elite Level Fighters in all aspects of combat sports.
Learn a comprehensive approach that covers everything from proper warmups to exercises designed to improve your guard!