Olympic champions Hifumi Abe and Uta Abe completed the second year of their unusual three-year training camp in the United States this summer, continuing their long-term build-up to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The siblings — Hifumi, 29, two-time Olympic champion in the men's -66 kg category (Tokyo 2021, Paris 2024), and Uta, 26, gold medallist in the women's -52 kg at Tokyo — spent 12 days in California in early July, one more camp day per year for three straight years at the same place in the same season.
Video: "ロサンゼルス合宿5日間に密着しました！"（Hifumi Abe official channel, uploaded 12 July 2026）— footage from the family's second California camp. Open on YouTube
Preparing for the decisive moments
The second camp was longer and more practical than the first. Last year's eight-night stay focused on acclimatising; this year's ten-night camp added two days, based on the finding that jet lag took eight days to clear in 2025. Both siblings arrived in strong form — Uta won the Grand Slam in Ulaanbaatar on 19 June, and Hifumi won the Grand Prix in Qingdao on 26 June, before flying to the US on 1 July.
Environment also changed. This year the pair finally carried out judo training in white judogi on a yellow tatami, something they could not arrange last time. Hifumi, who rarely trains with his sister, took the chance to offer advice, saying they usually do not train together and he gives pointers when something catches his eye.
Their hill-running routine also progressed. On a 210-metre climb with 30 metres of elevation, Hifumi again completed ten ascents, cutting his total running time from 60 to 45 minutes. Uta, who gave up after five last year, exceeded her target with six ascents this time: "The people who keep going until the end win. You have to beat yourself first."
Three-year data for one day
The camp is supported by Ajinomoto's Victory Project, which has individually supported both athletes since 2021; the plan was proposed by the company. Managers and dietitians accompany the siblings and provide Japanese food, and the camp included testing of new recovery meals used after weigh-ins.
The family lived together in a rented house. Hifumi aims for a third Olympic gold in Los Angeles and both hope to repeat their Tokyo "sibling same-day victory" in 2028. "No other athlete has prepared for an Olympic Games over four years like this," said Uta. "We'll grab it together in two years."