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This study compared male judo combat time in international competitions between the 2016 and 2020 Olympic cycles, by weight divisions. We analysed 1380 videos of male judo combat from top 20 in the World ranking by weight division. The 2020 cycle had a lower combat time and a higher occurrence of Golden Score (GS) compared to the 2016 cycle (combat time: 2020= 206.9, 2016= 240.3 seconds; GS time: 2020= 95.1, 2016= 77.6 seconds; p˂0.001; GS occurrence: 2020= 27%, 2016= 6%; p˂0.05). The 66kg and 73kg spent the most time and the +100kg category spent the least time in the GS than the other divisions, in both Olympic cycles. However, in the 2020 cycle compared to 2016, the 66kg was the only that reduced the combat time on the GS (p= 0.002), the 81kg and +100kg had a change in the distribution of combat closure minute-by-minute [81kg(2016)= 28%, 81kg(2020)= 68% finished until the 4th minute of Regular Time; +100kg(2016)= 25%, +100kg(2020)= 50% finished until the 3rd minute of Regular Time; p= 0.003 for both]. These data must be considered when prescribing male judo training for specific performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared the time-motion of the combat phases in male judo within two Olympic cycles (2016 vs. 2020). We analysed of 680 combats from belonging to two Olympic cycles (340 combats 2015–2016 and 340 combats 2019–2020). The combat phase was quantified according to a validated protocol (approach, gripping, attack/defence, groundwork, and pause). The 2020 cycle athletes spent less time in the gripping (79.7 ± 50.1 vs. 104.3 ± 54.1 seconds; p ˂ 0.001), attack/defence (7.6 ± 5.2 vs. 9.5 ± 7.2 seconds; p ˂ 0.001), and groundwork phases (33.9 ± 29.0 vs. 42.2 ± 32.0 seconds; p ˂ 0.001), and ashorter total combat time (200.0 ± 104.6 vs. 238.0 ± 94.8 seconds; p ˂ 0.001) than the 2016 athletes. Additionally, the 2020 athletes had ahigher occurrence of Golden Score (0.3 ± 0.4 vs. 0.1 ± 0.2 of total combats; p ˂ 0.001), and ahigher time spent in the Golden Score (23.9 ± 53.5 vs. 4.1 ± 21.4 seconds; p ˂ 0.001). The 2016 athletes had alonger total combat time; however, the time spent on the Golden Score increased in the 2020. These results should be helpful in preparing technical-tactical training aimed at performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]