IJF’s ‘Throw To Tokyo’ Event Postponed

One of the top traditions held by the International Judo Federation will be put on hold. In the wake of the coronavirus and the postponement of the 2020 Olympics, the IJF announced that the Throw to Tokyo contest will not be happening this year.

“Due to postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games, The International Judo Federation has decided to pause Throw to Tokyo competition,” the IJF stated in a release. “As we are still unaware, when Olympic Games will be held in 2021, we cannot announce exact dates of T2T. IJF will inform all participants as soon as possible.

“However, we will keep all submitted videos and they will be still valid when competition is restarted next year. Thanks for understanding!”

The Throw to Tokyo competition was a way to offer an all-inclusive trip to the Summer Games. Last year, 12 tickets were given away for the World Championships. Following videos less than a minute of their best throw, two winners would have been selected this year. Flight tickets, accommodation and tickets to the judo action at the Olympics was on the line.

Following the postponement of the Olympics, it was announced that it was moved to July 2021.

“In consideration of the global coronavirus outbreak, we need a certain timeframe before we fully prepare for the delivery of Games that are safe and secure for the athletes and spectators,” Governor Koike Yuriko stated in a release. “Also, the preparation for the new dates will go smoothly, as the dates match with same timeframe as the original competition dates, corresponding with ticketing, venue staffing, volunteers and transport.”

The new time gives athletes enough time to prepare and for fans to submit videos. It was the best scenario as the coronavirus continues to affect all major sports and life in general.