A team of Japanese judo therapists from Nippon Sport Science University (NSSU) visited Fiji this week to share their expertise in injury prevention and athlete care, aiming to help athletes recover from sports injuries.
Professor ITOH Yuzuru of Nippon Sport Science University says there are plans to set up a centre in Suva, with possible expansion to Nadi, but it will only go ahead with government approval as he has observed many young athletes in Fiji continuing to play despite injuries, often without proper care putting their sporting careers to risk.
He emphasizes that there is lack of judo-based physiotherapy techniques and his visits to Fiji aim to teach athletes ways to manage and prevent injuries such as shoulder, elbow, knee, and ankle problems.
He adds that Bone-Setting is Japan’s most respected traditional practices and that the workshops and therapy sessions will be free of charge.
Yuzuru adds that NSSU university works with injured athletes in Japan, providing hands-on therapy and strapping techniques without relying on costly medical equipment.
At the event, former Fijian athlete Derek Thomas says the establishment of the Bone-Setting Centre in Fiji will aims to help retired athletes to earn a sustainable livelihood while continuing to contribute to the sport.
He explains that the service is voluntary and aims to share knowledge for the future The delegation also hopes to promote healthy lifestyles alongside injury prevention, addressing issues such as obesity through education and training.
While speaking to fijivillage News, Yuzuru encourages locals to take advantage of their annual visits by gaining knowledge from them, and sharing the knowledge to other fellow Fijians.
The Japanese team plans to return next year, with hopes of increasing the frequency of visits and fostering local expertise.
This collaboration marks a step towards combining traditional Japanese therapy with Fijian sports culture, empowering local communities to manage athlete care independently.
