The Republic of Cuba, insular territory of the Caribbean Sea, Central America, has few more than 11 million inhabitants. It is less than a third of the metropolitan area population of Tokyo, capital of Japan, home of Judo and the major power of the sport. Counting men and women, Cuban judokas are no more than 3,000. In the last edition of the Olympic Games, in Beijing 2008, from the seven weight categories, Cuban female athletes climbed the podium in four categories. Japonese female athletes climbed in five.

To explain the Cuban miracle, Rio 2016 has invited the coach Justo Noda, one of the people responsible for the introduction of women's Judo in the country and current head of the men’s national team, to have a chat with us during the training session of the Judo 2011 Grand Slam leg that took place at Maracanãzinho, Rio de Janeiro. Check out the interview:

The tradition of martial arts comes from the Orient, and most of the Olympic champions come from Asian countries. Cuba, however, has become a power too, mostly in the women’s combats, nearing China and Japan in terms of victories. What is Cuban athletes’ differential aspect?

The Cubans are valiant people. We have fought a lot of battles; the most important one was against USA fifty years ago. I think this makes us strong. This is almost the identity of Cuba. What has happened here in the combat against Tiago Camilo, from whom I am a big fan, he is a great judoka, twice Olympic medallist, shows us what Cuba is about. [In the Rio de Janeiro 2011 Grand Slam semi-final, the Cuban Gonzalez Monteiro, number 31 in the world ranking in the 90kg category, got three penalties that have resulted in a waza-ari against him, during the fight. Ten seconds left to the end of the combat, he has scored an ippon against Tiago Camilo, number 7 in the world].

Cuban female athletes have recently obtained better results than male athletes. Why?

Male Judo has arrived in Cuba in 1951. Women started training in 1982. I have worked with women since the beginning till 1995. I think the main success factors of women’s Judo are the characteristics of the Cuban woman, their determination and will to win. They are not submissive woman. If a situation in which they have to show their positions and personalities appears, they will not hesitate. It is a peculiar characteristic of the Cuban women, and that is translated to the tatami, no doubt about it. Moreover, Cuban women are strong by nature. With some level of training, they develop their strength, their physique helps the correct use of the technique.

How do you discover Judo talents in Cuba?

In Cuba, there is a school called School of Sport Initiation (EIDE – Spanish acronym) in each province. Boys with age from ten to sixteen, the best of every province, are gathered in this school that teaches all sports, with teachers, studies, with everything, and this is where the development begins. After that, there is a national school that uses the same logic. Young people with more than sixteen go to this school, which prepares the athlete to the national team. Then, they are lead to us. With ten, eleven years, potential talents are brought and continue training with the required attention.

How do the Cuban school of Judo make up for the fact that the population is smaller compared with the great powers of Judo?

I have data that can surprise you. In Cuba, there are from 2,500 to 3,000 judokas, counting men and women, practicing Judo systematically, in other words, every day. It is a very low number. Brazil, for instance, comes to have tens, hundreds of million, a bigger universe. Some other countries also give us assistance, that is true, but the Cuban State gives us all the conditions, everything we need. Ten, eleven years old boys don’t have to abandon their studies, don’t have to pay for food, clothes, anything, everything is for free. The professors are always available. When they get to the national team, everything stays the same: the State gives you study, food, lodging (if it is located outside Havana), and a team of coaches. Everything is collective. I am a coach, but I have a team of some professionals working with me. A doctor, a psychologist, a therapist and an assistant. And in women’s team, the same number of professionals. At province schools, five, six, and even seven coaches, two by category (12/13 years old, 14/15 years old and 16 years old). This work group contributes a lot to the results. We are always in touch, everyone knows everyone and work together.

The Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games are the first edition of the Games in South America. What is the impact of this achievement to the countries of the region?

It is an excellent achievement for Brazil and for America in a whole, including us from Cuba. We are rivals on the tatami (giggles), but friends outside it. I am friend of Brazilian coaches, athletes, we do a good exchange and have a great relation. Brazil has a tradition in Judo, people like fighting combats here. You will receive the Games very well and, in general, I am sure there will be a great edition of the Olympic Games.