This study investigated the characteristics of high level judo athletes in the most important international competition, considering the type of technique applied according to the traditional judo classification system and the time when applied, taking in consideration the category of athletes (lighter and heavier categories). The main results of the statistical analysis of the 4813 actions were: (1) predominance of Ashi-waza (leg techniques) in both categories; (2) the best part of scores were obtained during the first three minutes of fight; (3) penalties accounted for almost half of the scores obtained; (4) a temporal trend in pattern of action scores was observed, which was stronger in heavyweight categories. The percentage of scores (Ippon, Waza-ari and Yuko) decreased, whereas penalties (Hansokumake and Keikoku and Shido) had a tendency to increase in the consecutive tournaments 1995 -1999; (5) during 1997 tournament some techniques appeared that could not be classified according to the traditional system. Those findings are not only useful for the organization and management of the important sports events but also for the choosing of adequate training tasks for athletes by the coaching staff. (2000 Pre-Olympic Congress, Sports Medicine and Physical Education, International Congress on Sport Science, 7-13 September - Brisbane, Australia 2000)
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