4x World Champion, Fujii Shozo never got the chance to compete in the Olympics. His first opportunity was in 1972 but he was unable to compete due to a knee injury. In ’76 he dislocated his elbow and almost forced him into retirement. Following this injury, he had to completely change Judo style because his best move, the se oi nage, couldn’t be used due to his elbow not bending all the way. Although he qualified for the Olympic team in ’80, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan led to the Olympic boycott with 50 other nations during the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

Although Fujii was best at the se oi nage, once his opponents stopped coming forward, he started using the ko uchi gari to attack. These two moves worked great together because when the opponent defended the se oi nage and moved backward he used the ko uchi gari. However, when they moved forward in response to the ko uchi gari, he could use his se oi nage. 

Two possibilities of the ko uchi gari:

1. Attacking when the leg steps forward 
2. Attacking when the leg steps backward

When the leg steps forward:

• Time the attack to exactly when they step forward
• Take the leg in the direction it was going (forward) 

When the leg steps backward:

• If you go to pull them down, their weight goes back.
• Rather than scooping, try to open up their legs to the outside. 

Ko uchi gari concepts (with weight going back):

• Squeeze the grips together. (collar and elbow tight together)
• Throw your hips in and step in deep. (don’t bend at the hips)
• Back leg steps in to the heel. 
• Rather than tripping, open up the leg to the outside. 
• At the same time as the trip, push the jaw of the opponent with collar grip.

Drilling the ko uchi gari:

• Work on the timing of your foot sweep as your opponent backs up. 
• In Judo, your opponent will move in many ways, for this drill only practice with the opponent moving straight back. 
• Using the wall, practice your footwork (this is the most difficult part of the ko uchi gari, foot sweep. 
• Once you have a grasp of the footwork, start practicing the sweep as if someone was in front of you. 

Ko uchi gari is a move that ties in great with the se oi nage. For those who have a good se oi nage, should also master the forward and backward movement with the ko uchi gari. As an example, pushing in to attack the ko uchi gari, you can use the se oi nage when in the split second they push back to defend the initial ko uchi gari. This is a very common and effective way to stream your attacks together.