Is it true that Judo is trying to eliminate morote gari from competition?

Question

I heard that there is a movement to ban Morote Gari (double leg takedown) from compeition. Why would they want to do this? If it is such an inferior technique then why do Judo players utilize it when they go into MMA?

Answer 1

No I heard remove Koka and Wazari Ive also heard Wazari is accumulative and cant stop the fight thats it though.

Answer 2

When ever they (the IJF) remove a Judo technique from competition, such as Kani Hasami (the lobster pinch) it is done out of safety reasons.  (I've won several matches in the '70s using Kani Hasami).

I have not heard that morote gari is being removed.  That would surprise me since the former Soviet Union Judo team made such a major technique with it.  They used several variations (Kazure) of morote gari to win gold medals.  So morote gari has been a major tournament Waza for over thirty years.

And its been on the IJF list of waza since 1999.

http://www.judoinfo.com/wazalist.htm

Answer 3

I haven't heard this, but I imagine some of it could be attributed to guys doing it improperly and landing on their head. (i.e. diving through the opponent and as they fall back, Tori's head hits the mat).

More than likely they won't ban the throw, just heavily penalize anyone who lands on their head. (They do this with several throws already such as Uchi Mata, drop Seoinage, and the rolling version of Sode Tsurikomi Goshi) they are big about not wanting people to hit the mat headfirst and injure themselves, I can see how they might put this same rule on Morote Gari. However out right banning the throw, I highly doubt they would do that.

But as I said, I am pretty in touch with the rules committee types and am a certified ref, I haven't heard of such a ban coming down, or anything regarding Morote Gari.

But knowing how they have changed certain rules, I can most assuredly say that more than likely they will change it to that hitting your head is an instant disqualification, to prevent the diving morote gari's that have knocked people out. (The people throwing them KOing themselves). If you watched MMA enough, you have seen guys KO themselves with Morote Gari on a few occassions.

They don't ban techniques because they are inferior, they ban techniques because of high risk of injury. (Hence the reason Kami Basame is banned, too easy to shatter people's knees) It takes a whole lot for a throw to be banned, so more than likely players whose heads hit the mat will be heavily penalized to discourage the diving version of the throw.

Answer 4

Some people tried to say it should not be done without having a  grip prior the technique, like a opening move to surprise the opponent and avoid griping the gi "properly". If done in the middle of the fight would be still  permitted.

This people says that its is getting to close to wrestling shoots, and it is not adequate with the spirit of judo. I say they are jealous because people with wrestling training (like the Russians) are beating then because they don´t know how to sprawl or counter.

It is a propose, does not mean that will pass, actually I don´t think they have much support since nobody being hurt badly doing or receiving it. Kani basami was banned in competition after Yamashita broke his foot receiving it (video below):

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4yuhq_...

And always being kind of a dangerous technique if not did properly.