Abstract
Main goal of this research was to identify and rank the predictors of athletic performance for male judo athletes. We have interviewed 18 top-level European judo coaches, and asked them to rank the importance of different general physical fitness, motor abilities and specific strength variables in the success of judo athletes for three weight groups: lightweight (< 66 kg), middleweight (67 – 90 kg), and heavyweight (> 90 kg) athletes. We have established coefficients of concordance to assess agreement among judo coaches about judo achievement predictors. To establish the differences among the three weight groups a nonparametric Z-test was done. Among the general factors, coaches ranked physical fitness and technical and tactical knowledge, as the most important factors for success in judo with no major differences in the hierarchical structures among weight categories. Heavyweight athletes benefit most from maximal strength, while motor-skill speed and power were judged as the most important factors in lightweighters. Muscular and cardiovascular endurance are significant predictors of judo success regardless of weight category.
