Whether they are green belt or black belt, the judokas present this Saturday at the Juliette sports hall in Corcelles only have eyes for one man: <a href="https://www.archysport.com/2022/04/judo-maruyama-face-with-a-normal-heart-will-it-be-a-rematch-with-abe-ichi-tokyo-shimbun-tokyo-web/” title=”Judo, Maruyama "Face with a normal heart" Will it be a rematch with Abe Ichi: Tokyo Shimbun TOKYO Web”>Joshiro Maruyama. Although this name probably means nothing to the uninformed public, in the world of judo, this 31-year-old Japanese has become a demigod. And not only because he was world champion (under 66kg) in 2019 and 2021. Technically, this fighter is a reference. Its presence in Europe is rare. And to celebrate its 50th anniversary, the Cortaillod club brought Joshiro Maruyama and his family so that the master could share his valuable advice during a masterclass. Total success: his training was followed this weekend by 320 judokas from all over Switzerland and even beyond.
“Someone very endearing”
How was JC Cortaillod able to bring such a world star to the region? “It’s a long story,” says Stéphane Guye, the president. “This boy is from Tenri University (Japan). My professor comes from this university. We met Maruyama when he was a student. We were with the club there in 2013. He is an outstanding technician and a very endearing person. »
It has been a long time since the Neuchâtel club last organized a masterclass, but Stéphane Guye wants to organize this type of event more regularly from 2026. Because next year, Cortaillod will go to Japan. And on this occasion, it is hard to see the Neuchâtel judokas not going to say hello to Joshiro Maruyama… /vco
