Moments of Shame, Punishment & Redemption

Having given his all in the age/weight contest on Saturday, the young man you see above was overcome by thirst. This was not a problem, however, as the players that make up the Japan Masters are more than hospitable (if not generous to a fault). At the after match function the warm hand of hospitality was extended to our friend. Furthermore, the Japanese Masters took care to seat him between two of the most jovial, well-mannered, good-hearted and friendly, non-English speaking Judoka you could find anywhere. But all was not what it seemed. Rather than merely quenching his thirst, our friend was exposed to a level of tag-team Judo only practised by those in and beyond their 50th year in the game. I can’t remember the exact translation but the name of their waza was something like the waza of the "ever-filling cup." Made cunning by age, the Japanese Masters raised toast after toast. "Good fight tomorrow!" "Good fight tomorrow!" How could our friend refuse? He was, after all, thirsty.
After the private toasts came the official ceremony. Beers...toasts...and clapping...followed by beers...toasts...and singing...which was, in turn, followed by Sake..toasts..and clapping...and Sake...toasts...and singing. Then, somewhere along the way (shortly after Pat Toner got dragged off the stage mid-verse singing Molly Malone), our friend met with his doom and Japanese wine. Apparently it all went sideways -- private Karaoke booths, Samurai’s, Van Halen covers, and a bottle of Sake that stood 2 foot tall. Needless to say he missed the second day of competition! There was no “good fight tomorrow.” The old Judokas had won without even stepping on the mat. Further, after the illness, spewing, spinning room and having to pay for another nights accommodation, our friend had to face the wraith and the disappointment of his team (mostly Rick). Oh the shame...the SHAME!
In the days that followed all was put right. The judiciary metered out a stern sentence, wrong’s were put right, and the boys had a beer bitch for the day!

[The judiciary]