A long road ahead,

It's been a while my friend; maybe a bit too long. I'm going to turn in my paper work for nikyu this week, and Winter Nationals is this weekend. Also this weekend is Winter Nationals Kata and CCSF Invitations In San Fransisco.

It amazes me how long I've been on this quest. I find the closer I am to just being Shodan, the less it matters. In truth the man should never chase the belt, it should be the belt that follows the man. Rank is really nothing more than how long you've been doing Judo, not how good you are at it. The proof is in the facts, I'm starting to sky black belts every time I practice with one. While it's not an Ippon, it shows I'm beginning to understand the true physics involved.

It's Almost June,

The Last couple of months have been rewarding. At nationals, I took the gold metal in Kata. So it was well worth it and more. My judo has improved a lot because of it, and it's noticeable in my technique. It become more natural when I throw some one.

I was promoted to Sankyu at the end of march and now I'm halfway to my black belt. It's funny how goals change once you start out on the journey to acquire them. Don't take this the wrong way, My goal is still Shodan, but that isn't the end of the road. More of a pitstop on my to an even greater goal. As of this moment, My end goal with Judo is an Olympic Gold metal and Judan. A lifetime of skill and giving back to something I've become so inspired by.

More to come...

So far this year....

It's been a bit, so an update seems in order.

The beginning of the year was difficult. Just finishing the holiday binge I was really over weight. When the Kohaku came around, I was in no mood to fight, ended up losing in about 25 seconds to myself.

I realized that I need to get back on track, I started to practice with our sister dojo when I could. The practice really paid off. A third place win in San Jose by points. 27 points. 3 wins and 1 loss. Follow with a first place decision after a three way tie.

Coming in March is the Nanka Novice Tournament, although my goal is a medal at nationals in Kata.

Judo Tournment Calendar for 2010

Judo Calendar

01/17/2010 San Fernando kohaku, Arlerta Ca,
02/14/2010 Sensei Memorial Tournament, San Jose Ca,
03/07/2010 Nanka Novice Tournament, West Covina Ca, (rank depending)
03/21/2010 USA National White and Brown Belt Championships, San Fransisco Ca,
05/01/2010 USA Judo Senior Nationals, Myrtlt Beach, SC
05/29/2010 CJI State Championships CCSF, San Frasisco, CA
06/13/2010 Marine Judo Championships, (TBA)
08/15/2010 Nikkei Games. Long Beach, Ca
09/12/2010 Nanka Fall, Jr & Sr. Tounament, West Covina, Ca.
10/03/2010 Nanka Team Challenge, West Covina, Ca
11/06/2010 Las Vegas Invitationals, (TBA)
11/14/2010 Mojica Tournament, Baldwin Park, Ca
12/04/2010 USJA Winter Nationals, (TBA)

Pending Date, USA Judo, US Open. (TBA)

Pains and Treating them

Since I've started Judo, I know there are a lot of injuries. From muscle cramps and pulled who knows whats to dislocated joints and broken bones. Here are a couple things to do for them.

Tape them! Athletic tape in this sport is your best friend. From "Judo Toe" to a twisted ankle. it helps support injuries and helps them heal while practicing lightly. (I do not encourage practice while injured. If you choice to do so, do so lightly. at your own risk)

Tiger Balm and IBProfien, when I'm soar these have been a life saver. Rubbing Tiger Balm on soar muscles after practice quickens the healing. While IBProfien deals with headaches and joints pains from over zealous armbars.

Lastly but not least. Yoga. Yes Yoga!!!! It has been a miracle worker for soar muscles and staying flexible. For whatever you do, be it a martial art or anything really. I suggest yoga to everyone. The Zen Meditation keeps you calm while the poses keeps you limber.

(I'm not a doctor nor is this medical advise, just some info on what I do.)

CJI Tournament.

Ahh, a good weekend has come and gone. For more reasons than one. Great food, good friends, and the leason of finesse.

All of my matches lasted less then 30 seconds.
- 1st match was won by forfeit/a Bye.
Someone didn't show up....
- 2nd match I lost because I forgot to finish the Kake on a Tani O Toshi. Thus I landed on my back. ending my match. after getting a Yuko for a sweep.
-3rd Match I lost due to not stopping once throw was completed. I rolled to my back after the front of my shoulder hit the mat to enter ne-waza instead of pausing to show the end of the throw.

My point total was 15 which put me in 6th place in the novice 73kg division out of nine.

Oh, the food that was great was lamb shank with saffron rice and seasonal veggies on friday night. Saturday was seafood night. Fryed shimp, calamari, and crab cakes. Thus followed by Pasta with Prince Edwards Island Mussels.

Now to bed before coming home from San Diego.

CJI

The State Judo Tournament is this weekend. I've been training for it with help from both my normal classes as well as the ninja judo classes.

It's here that technical, scientific principles are used to explain judo. The turn like this you'll get this are given but the science validation via the newton laws of motion and energy are also explained in detain here. It's here that my love of sports and science combine into what I enjoy. Lets see if it helps out this weekend.