Discussion

The main findings of this study indicated partially confirmed our initial hypothesis. Specifically, it was observed that the Ippon score ratio increased in almost all pre-post quarantine data. In addition, it was observed that the Ippon score was significantly higher than the other score types. According to the prominent data, the majority of the matches in both male’s and female’s categories ended with ippon (2019-2020 average: 64,35% in Junior male, 70,55% in U23 male and 69,3% in Junior female, 64,4% in U23 female). However, the hypothesis that the quarantine period will differ in the match scores of judo athletes by sex and weight category has not been confirmed, as no difference has been found.
A situation similar to our study is the studies in which the frequency of winning matches with ippon is high (Ceylan et al., 2020; Kons et al., 2018; Segedi et al., 2014). Ceylan at al. (2020) compared to the others scores, such as penalties and match time variables of the athletes competing in the 2018 and 2019 World Championships and Grand Prix competitions. Athletes’ match-winning status with ippon is higher than other types of points. When Kons et al. (2018) evaluated the judo Olympic and Paralympic games Rio 2016 in terms of scores, Ippon was the score that determined the match win in both the Olympic and Paralympic games. In addition, the frequency of using ippon in Paralympic athletes was higher than in Olympic athletes. In the same direction, Segediat al. (2014) evaluated the 2013 Rijeka Grand Prix competition in terms of scores and match times and examined that the matches ending with ippon were more than the matches ending with wazari and penalty.
In our study, while the rate of winning matches with Ippon for Junior male increased by 6,9%, no change was found for Junior female. However, a decrease of 11,92% in U23 female’s match-winning rate with Ippon was examined. According to Katicips et al. (2018) We can support it with the work of. When the effects of the judo rule changes proposed by the International Judo Federation in the Grand Slam Paris competitions between 2011, 2016 and 2017 are examined, taking into account the scores and penalties, ippon was the score that determines winning the match, especially for male judo athletes between 2011 and 2017. A contrasting result was seen by Doppelhammer & Stöckl (2020) when they analyzed the 2015 and 2018 World Judo Championships according to match duration, scores, penalties, and attempts. They found that the frequency of scoring according to sex was higher than that of female, and that the number of females receiving ippon increased significantly, while no significant increase was observed in male.
In the literature, the frequency of winning matches with Ippon varies according to sex. Rule change or an epidemic crisis has significant impact on scores, especially for male or especially for female, and cannot be said to be ongoing. Only in this study, a statistically significant relationship is observed between the time of Covid (before and after) and all competition scores, only in the male category in the U23 and Junior groups. We can support this result with studies where competition scores other than Ippon are important. When the frequency of penalties of the athletes by randomly selecting the participants in the finals and semi-finals of the 12 tournaments valid for the IJF 2013 World Ranking List is examined, it is seen that on average, 6 out of 10 competitions result in penalty points (Escobar-Molina et al., 2014). When the athletes competing in the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympics are compared by years, it is seen that there is no change in the number of ippon and wazari, but an increase in the number of penalties (Calmed et al., 2017a).
Another result we reached in our study is that Junior and U23 female and male weight variables did not detect a statistical significance for the match score before and after covid-19 (p>0.05). Contrary to this, in the literature, it is found that the rate of winning matches with ippon is high in different weight categories, especially for male. In male’s matches, the frequency of taking ippon increases as the weight category increases; It is seen at the rates of 52,34% in light categories, 57,15% in medium categories, 59,98% in heavy categories, and the lowest frequency of ippon use is in the light female category with a rate of 48,90% (Rosu, 2010). A conclusion supporting Segedi et al. (2014) can be seen in their study. In the male’s super heavyweight category (+ 100 kg), the match ended in only two ways; either with ippon before time runs out or penalty. Similarly, 5 out of 6 matches in the female’s super heavyweight category (+78 kg) finished in ippon before the time limit expired. In contrast, Escobar-Molina et al. (2014) reveal that taking a shido increases the probability of defeat (OR = 3.18) and is associated with match outcome, especially in heavier weight categories (OR = 1.22).
Due to the different results, we cannot say that the weight category is seen as a decisive factor for judo athletes to affect the score and win the match. Judo sport is based on different weight categories for male and female. These categories are important for the different technical and tactical developments required by the physical characteristics among the athletes. However, we cannot say that matches are won with certain points, especially at certain weights. Because Judo is a sport that constantly renews itself, changes and develops.
Finally, some limitations should be considered, such as the absence of time-motion analysis and the lack of tracking of actions that do not result in scores. In the formation phase of the technique, considerations of high- and low-intensity actions, and analysis of the speed of athletes during matches in official competitions can help to better understand the dynamics of the variability of movements in judo matches. In addition, new studies can be carried out to be applied to athletes in different age categories who are on the way to become Olympic athletes.