Abstract

Objective: To analyze the technical-tactical behavior and scoring effectiveness of techniques in elite female extra-lightweight (≤48 kg) judo across the last three Olympic cycles (2016, 2020, and 2024).Methods: A retrospective observational study which analyzed 159 official International Judo Federation World Circuit contests (53 per cycle) involving athletes ranked among the top 20 in the World Ranking. A total of 107 scoring techniques were identified according to the Kodokan classification and the official IJF rules applicable to each Olympic cycle.Results: No significant differences were observed in the distribution of technical groups across Olympic cycles (χ²=3.109, p=0.927; Cramér's V=0.121). Likewise, the distribution of techniques resulting in Ippon (χ²=3.637, p=0.888) and Waza-ari (χ²=6.383, p=0.604) remained stable. Although the overall technical profile was preserved, the diversity of individual scoring techniques increased from 17 techniques in the 2016 Olympic cycle to 24 in the 2020 cycle, and remained high in 2024 (23 techniques). Sode-tsuri-komi-goshi predominated in 2016, whereas Ouchi-gari became the most frequent scoring technique in 2020 and remained among the leading techniques in 2024. Katame-waza consistently produced most Ippon, whereas Ashi-waza and Te-waza remained the principal sources of Waza-ari.Conclusions: Despite successive IJF rule modifications, the technical profile of elite female extra-lightweight judo remained remarkably stable across the last three Olympic cycles. Elite athletes expanded their technical repertoire while maintaining the effectiveness of the principal scoring strategies, providing coaches with evidence to optimize weight category-specific technical and tactical training.