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Uni Judo Says Farewell to a Friend

This week the club says (temporary?) farewell to Aaron Page. Aaron will be training Monday and Wednesday this week so make a special effort to get down there and choke him out (or at least try) as a way of saying thanks. Aaron has a long history with the Uni Club. In his most recent return to the mat he has made a huge contribution. He will be sorely missed by all. On behalf of the club, Aaron, we wish you well and hope that your move will lay the foundation for a new era of cooperation and inter-club social and sporting exchange with Wellington. Good luck! Let's work to ensure that the break between beers is not too long.

Team Eastern Bloc Easily Wins Judoka Paintball Smack-down

The first annual Judoka Paintball Smack-down was held yesterday in testing conditions in Swanson. Team Eastern-bloc, in association with one German (who claimed to have a political education) and Aaron “you’re in my world now” Page, easily owned their rivals. It was, truly, a comprehensive display of communication and advanced weapons skills. Player of the tournament eventually went to Mario. Mario won out by a small margin over Tim. Both ended the series with three individual flag captures. Mario however, took the win on the basis of a count-back type calculation – he sustained more big welts. People’s choice award went to Dennis (for reasons we won’t talk about here). While (according to Khan) everything that goes on in the field stays on the field, Dennis was reporter to have said “Tim, you’re going to die on the mat” (or something on those lines). It seemed to have something to do with what went on after being stuck out in the middle of no-where, with little cover, when all here team where “dead.” BBQ and beers afterwards was relaxing and a great chance to enjoy the company of some of the weird and wonderful characters in the orbit of the University Judo Club. Big thanks to Tim and Aaron for organising the function and to those that attended.

STANDING CHALLENGE:
As a parting note, I think it’s fair to say that Uni Judo would easily defeat any paintball team from any other Judo Club in New Zealand. We will take challenges but frankly, we know we would win.

Judo News at All Time Low; Kong Resorts to Hollywood Pulp

USA Judo had a touch of Hollywood glamour on Saturday in San Diego when actor Bo Svenson (Pacific Palisades, Calif. / Sawtelle Judo Dojo) competed in his first judo tournament in more than 40 years. Svenson might be remembered for playing such esteemed roles as Reverend Harmony in Kill Bill 2. Further details of his stellar career are available at the IMDB.
Add that was it. I guess it is what you could call scrapping the bottom of the barrel when it comes to Judo News.

NZ Judo Hall of Records 1965–2009: OPEN

1961. John Oosterman. Te Awamutu.
1962. Faiko Sjoerds. Palmerston North.
1963. Gerry van Cylenborg. Auckland Judo Academy
1964. Dave Delay. Auckland Judo Academy
1965. John Burke. Wellington.
1966. Graeme Roberts. Wellington Judo Academy
1967. Jim McPhee. Auckland.
1968. Frank Best. Christchurch.
1969. Gerry van Cylenborg. Auckland Judo Academy
1970. Joe Fisher. Auckland Judo Academy
1971. G. Littlewood.Doshisha University Kyoto Japan.
1972. O. Boelee. Auckland Judo Academy.
1973. Toshio. Fukui. Doshisha University Kyoto, Japan[dcd]
1974. A. Matsuura. Doshisha University Kyoto, Japan
1975. G. Littlewood. University Judo Auckland
1976. Joe Fisher. Judokai Auckland
1977. Dave Browne Judokai Auckland
1978. Dave Clark Judokai Auckland
1979. Dave Clark Judokai Auckland
1980. Dave Clark Judokai Auckland
1981. Dave Clark Judokai Auckland
1982. Graeme Spinks. Ch.Ch.Judo Academy
1983. Bill Vincent. New Plymouth
1984. Wayne Watson Wanganui
1985. Wayne Watson Wanganui
1986. Wayne Watson Wanganui
1987. Wayne Watson Wanganui
1988. Wayne Watson Wanganui
1989. Mike Smith.Christchurch
1990. Wayne Watson Wanganui
1991. Wayne Watson Wanganui
1992. Daniel Gowing. University Judo Auckland
1993. Mike Smith Christchurch
1994. Wayne Watson Wanganui
1995. Graeme Spinks Christchurch
1996. Wayne Watson Wanganui
1997. Daniel Gowing. University Judo Auckland
1998. Calvin Snelgar. Christchurch
1999. Calvin Snelgar. Christchurch
2000. Calvin Snelgar. Christchurch
2001. Robert Levy. University Judo Auckland
2002. Gareth Knight. Judokai Auckland
2003. Morgan Endicott-Davies. University Judo Auckland
2004. Ryan Dill-Russell. Judokai Auckland
2005. Tim Slyfield. University Judo Auckland
2006. Andrew Pragnell. University Judo Auckland
2007. Jason Koster Can.Am.Ju.Ch.Ch.
2008. Jason Koster Can.Am.Ju.Ch.Ch.
2009. Jason Koster, Can.Am.Ju.Ch.Ch.

2010. Tim Slyfield. University Judo Auckland

2011. ???

NZ Judo Hall of Records 1965–2009: LIGHTWEIGHT

LIGHTWEIGHT (-63.5kg 9st 13lbs)

1966. John Burke. Wellington Judo Academy
1967. John. Bonniface. Christchurch.
1968. John Bonniface. Christchurch.deceased
1969. H. Kellens. Christchurch.
1970. H. Kellens. Christchurch.
1971. H. Kellens. Christchurch.
1972. Taka Nakajima. Japan/Christchurch.
1973. Robert Moran. Judokai Auckland
1974. Ken Smith. Judokai Auckland
1975. Graeme Culling. Judokai Auckland
1976. Brent Cooper. Howick Auckland

Changed to U60kg.
2001. Gareth Smith. Nippon Schools
2002. Tervor Milind
2003. Alister Leat. Judokai Auckland
2004. Trevor Melind
2005. Alister Leat. Judokai Auckland
2006. Gareth Carter. Waikato
2007. Gareth Carter. Waikato
2008. Nicolas Gray
2009. ???

New Weight Division U-65kg
1976. Brent Cooper. Howick Auckland
1977. Michael Scott. Canbridge
1978. John Hart Nelson Judo Club
1979. Richard Kent. Gisborne
1980. John Hart. Nelson Judo Club
1981. Daryal Hananeia. Dunedin Uni Judo
1982. Daryal Hananeia. Dunedin Uni Judo
1983. John Hart. Nelson Judo Club
1984. Kevin Kavanagh. Judokai Auckland
1985. Benji Pilley. Glenfield Judo Club
1986. Kevin Kavanagh Judokai Auckland
1987. Peter Limpus. Palmerston North.
1988. Kevin Kavanagh. Judokai Tauranga Judo Club
1989. Brendon Crooks. Judokai Auckland.
1990. Kevin Kavanagh. Judokai Tauranga Judo Club
1991. Brendon Crooks. Judokai Auckland
1992. Kevin Kavanagh Judokai Tauranga Judo Club
1993. Brendon Crooks. Judokai Auckland
1994. Kevin Kavanagh. Judokai Tauranga Judo Club
1995. Benji Pilley. Glenfield Judokai Auckland
1996. Kevin Kavanagh. Judokai Tauranga Judo Club
1997. T. Everitt. Invercargill
1998. M. Robertson. Christchurch.
1999. G. Smith. Wellington
2000. G.Smith. Wellington

Changed -66kg
2001. Toshiyuki. Okamori
2002. Linsey Reid. Judokai Auckland
2003. Ben Pilly. Judokai Auckland
2004. Anton Ovchenikov. Western Judo
2005. Lee Calder. Western judo.
2006. Allister Leat. Judokai Auckland
2007. Gareth Carter .Western Judo
2008. Nick Gray. Nippon Judo School.
2009. Bevan Brooking. Gisbourne
2010. Allister Leat. Judokwai, Auckland
2011. ???

Jordan & Vivek Vs. Judokwai on Saturday

Jordan (aka B.O -- ask Jun about it) and Vivek are heading up to visit Judokwai this coming Saturday. Jordan says the more the merrier and if others were keen to come and/or needed a ride they should contact him: jordan.reynolds@chubb.co.nz.

Thoughts on Judo Coaching by Rick Littlewood

[Sensei Rick's comments follow this letter by Dave Browne to the New Zealand Judo Community]
Dear Kong,

Please publish this on the University website -- we all know it's the only Judo blog in New Zealand that is regularly updated and is actually read by the community (even those of us that offered such animated protests about all the tits on the "real" AJA page).

As you are all aware significant changes been made in recent times within Judo New Zealand including a new Board, the adoption of a new constitution, the appointments of the National Technical and Business Directors, and a move to have more of our processes online.

We are now looking at the appropriateness of the various Commission structures.

One of the most significant changes that could be contemplated is the separation of the Coaching Commission into two distinct parts.

One part will be responsible for Coaching Development ( e.g. Coaching the Coaches).

The other part will be responsible for connecting with our high performance athletes and delivering on our primary goal of winning medals at the Commonwealth games in Glasgow in 2014.

It is important we get this latter part right and we wish to consult within the New Zealand judo coaching community before reaching a decision on how we move forward.

As a person with an interest in the coaching side of judo above national level we are looking for your input, ideas and thoughts on what you think would be the best processes and/or structure for JNZ to adopt in its interaction with our athletes, their coaches and their clubs to achieve our 2014 goal.

Please bear in mind that the any role or roles developed will voluntary although we are earmarking funds for programme delivery.

Please send any thoughts you have on the subject to me in the first instance by 31 March.


Kind regards
Dave Browne [dave@propertypeople.co.nz]
President – Judo New Zealand
-------------------------------------------

Reference your email of 22 March 2009.

Firstly, I would like to thank you for my inclusion in this discussion and the open and transparent manner in which you appear to be pursuing this issue. It is important that we are able to address matters such as this in this manner.
My thinking is best grouped under the following headings:

Coaching for Coaches – How about acknowledging that most coaches do a pretty good job without any input from the NZJF? Perhaps we should be supporting them instead?
I believe that this is an unfortunate term and I would have said ‘supporting caches’ instead. It is apparent that if the NZJF is to survive there needs to be a change in focus from compliance and standard setting being the primary function of the organization towards actively supporting club coaches.

Compliance is the first issue speaking for myself and possibly others I find it a bit silly that the NZJF and AJA spend time trying to convince me to:

* Complete a Level 2 Coaching certificate that I can do over the internet. Why waste your time I have been coaching Judo since 1973 have produced a number of top level players that have represented NZ at the Olympics. Does a coaching certificate I get by logging onto the NZJF website really matter.

* Provide feedback for the development of a code of ethics.

* Justify to my members the administrative burden of belonging to the NZJF

Only a few examples but they are all that I could think of at the moment. The simple point that I want to make is that it would be great if the NZJF spent less time trying to tell successful caches how to do their job and loading them with the costs of complying with NZJF rules and regulations. Remember that every time a person attends a course on coaching there is an implicit cost to the club because that person is devoting their limited voluntary labour to the course rather than to the club. It could be argued that the benefits outweigh the costs but I yet to be convinced.

An issue that I see is that many NZJF appointments enjoy running technical courses. Is this supporting clubs or is it supporting the individuals who run the courses. Once again the volunteer labour that goes into developing technical courses might be better expended developing better administrative procedures that make coaches jobs easier. Following Ju Jitsu and our other competitor’s example players are willing to pay for good training. When the NZJF subsidizes technical training it not only uses up valuable volunteer resource but effectively shuts the door to professional instructors who can never compete with the NZJF.

NZJF Control of Coaches – What is the reason for a coaching commission?
Generally I am concerned about NZJF control of coaches because I don’t think it adds value the money spent on running coaching clinics could be better employed elsewhere. Flying coaching commissions’ around the country is expensive and in my opinion adds little value. Perhaps instead of having a Coaching Commission the money used to run it could be allocated to the flying coaches overseas to gain experience.

In short a coaching commission at all is needless expense that appears to establish a body for control of the people doing the work by those who are not active coaches rather than a way of supporting coaches on the ground.

Elite Coaching – Good money after bad?
We have had an expensive full-time national coach recently. Did it improve our results? No. Why because the only way NZ players will get to international standard is by going overseas young and completing an apprenticeship in a tough Judo environment. It is farcical to think that players can train in NZ spend 6 weeks overseas building up to a tournament and be competitive with extreme Russians, Koreans and Japanese that have been doing Judo 60 hours a week since high school. Sorry but it doesn’t matter how many Chisel protein bars they eat, how much pseudo sport science is pumped into them by AUT, how much they can bench press or how much Powerade they drink without a solid base of experience and mat craft players will not succeed internationally.

Look at the facts:
* Rick Littlewood
* Brent Cooper
* Bill Vincent
* Daniel Gowing
* Tim Slyfield

What do our top performing international players have in common? Long periods of time spent hardening themselves in tough competitive environments overseas. The only input NZ coaches should have is getting players to a standard at which they will survive on the mat. We do not need elite coaches. It is a sham perpetuated by administrators and coaches that have not experienced what it is actually like on the international circuit.

Instead of wasting resource on this idea we should be looking at how we can encourage young players to go overseas and stay overseas. Not sending them on silly six week school trips. We need to look at how we can financially and emotionally support good young players, long term in the hubs of international Judo. Financial grants are the obvious choice but there are also options like:

* Mentor schemes – we have a small pool of players that have done the hard yards and could be kept in the Judo community by being asked to mentor young players with potential.

* International networks – instead of the NZJF getting upset about the Kiwi Judo guys in London we could be utilizing them to link young players into the London Judo community

* Life skills training – perhaps we should be teaching young players life skills like budgeting and how to access grants so they are better equipped to support themselves on the road

Just a few thoughts lets focus on areas where we can influence the development of players rather than patting ourselves on the back and developing elite coaching regimes that we really don’t have the resources to support.

Recommendations:
1.That all courses that are required by clubs be discussed and if they are not adding value are removed from NZJF regulations

2.That all training provided by the NZJF is audited and unless deemed necessary for the development of Judo is discontinued and the opportunity of providing the training offered to private providers

3.That the NZJF does not have a coaching commission

4.That the NZJF utilize funds made available by not having a coaching commission to pay for coaches to travel and develop their individual skills

5.That NZJF’s elite coaching program should focus on developing the mechanisms for supporting young players with potential to train overseas for extended periods of time.

[Please email your feedback to Rick Littlewood: r.littlewood@xtra.co.nz. Alternately, if you concur, please copy and forward this letter to Dave Browne at:dave@propertypeople.co.nz]

Sensei's Pick of the Week: Judo Training in Japan by Patrick M. Burris

Judo Training in Japan: A Comparison of the 1960s and the 1990s
by Patrick M. Burris

It is Japan in 1969. 1 am curled up in a tiny dormitory, anxiously awaiting the next judo practice. My gi (uniform) top is serving as my blanket, and my pants are my pillow. I'm trying valiantly to get some rest before practice. Okano Senseiwoke us up early again this morning to begin another day of training. Every day except Sunday, we rise at 6:30 to go for a three-mile run, followed by a half-mile duck walk and calisthenics. After breakfast and clean up, we head to the Keisho (Japanese Police Academy) for technical judo training, followed by weight training. After lunch and a short break, we're off to the dojo (training hall) for randori (free sparring). Around 6:30 p.m., our day is completed. We are able to rest until tomorrow.
I'm excited and nervous about tonight's practice. Students from the Meigi School are coming to train at the Kodokan, the school at which judo was created. The Meigi School has some of the toughest, biggest and meanest judoka (practitioners) in Japan. I resolve to put all I have into tonight's practice. Okano Sensei is expecting almost the same level of performance from me as I am, and I won't disappoint either of us. Okano is the head sensei of the Seikijuku School, and it is at his invitation that I am a part of this unique group of warriors. Isaac Okano is considered one of the fiercest judoka in the world. While fighting in the 1967 All-Japan Championship, his arm was broken during the semifinal round. He proceeded to win the match in spite of the injury. He continued on to the final round, where he was defeated. Okano took the loss so hard that he contemplated suicide. Honor in victory is very important to a man like him.
As we arrive at the dojo for a randori session, we see that the Meigi School has arrived before us and is warming up. The fact that we were not the first to arrive has infuriated Okano, and we all know that we are in for a very long night. After the randori session, our group will stay and train until the last judoka has left the dojo. "First on the mat and last off" is Okano Sensei's creed.

The last time we trained with the Meigi School, another foreigner named Bill Sanford was with us. Some of the Japanese sensei believed that Bill wasn't flexible enough, so they instructed him to sit in the butterfly position while two heavyweights stood on his folded legs, pressing them down to the ground and consequently ripping Bill's groin muscles. It took him several months to recover. This type of mistreatment of foreigners was typical of the Japanese.
Randori practice has begun, and I am in a sea of Japanese fighters with contemptuous snarls on their faces. The Japanese dislike us, and they hate the fact that we are here on their mat. Last year the Japanese would not work with me unless I aggressively grabbed them to fight. This year, the sensei have "redsashed" me. Having the red sash means that I get to stay out on the mat for every round and the Japanese fighters must come to me. Because I am red-sashed, the Japanese are even angrier and they are coming after me like banshees. But I'm ready, and I will not quit until the last matte (break) is called.
This is my fifth summer in Japan. I come here every year to train with the best judo athletes in the world. Back home I am an American Olympian. Here I am fighting to survive. It's like a war every day. The Japanese are so tough! I am tougher. If not physically, then mentally. I will not break. It doesn't matter if I get my butt kicked on a daily basis; I will not give in. I make it my personal quest to find someone-anyone-in the dojo that I can beat. And at the end of the day, I go to my room with the knowledge that today I kicked his butt. I know how proud the Japanese are. That judoka will be shunned by his teammates because he lost to an American. Small victories are victories nonetheless.
The practice is finally over, and I have survived another day. Now it's time for rest and relaxation because, as my father always tells me, "The sun will rise tomorrow."

Flash Forward
More than 20 years have passed since I last battled with the powerful Japanese judoka. It is my students who are now going head-to-head with these warriors, and much has changed. During my era the Japanese despised the fact that foreigners were entering their country to learn judo with them. Today the Japanese invite foreigners to come to them. In fact, they are now scouring the world themselves seeking optimal training locations.
Some 78 years after Jigoro Kano created judo, the martial art was included in the Olympic Games and Kano saw his dream of judo becoming an international sport come true. As judo became more and more popular worldwide, its appeal seemed to diminish in Japan. In the 1960s and 70s judo was the most popular sport in Japan. Today baseball has filled the No. 1 spot. From 1964 to around 1976, Japan absolutely dominated the world in judo. Okano Sensei foresaw the changes that would occur, and in an extremely controversial move he created the Seikijuku School, whose name means "the rebels' path." Its purpose was to bring foreigners from all over the world to Japan to train with the Japanese judoka. At the time his convictions caused him to be considered a traitor to his country. Despite the controversy and the backlash, Okano was convinced that as judo became more popular world- wide, world and Olympic titles would be harder for Japan to obtain.

It wasn't until 1984 that America started to see the benefits of sending our best players to Japan for training. Up until that time, athletes were forced to find their own way to Japan. I was 18 years old when I made my first trip to the Orient. My parents signed me up with a senior citizens' tour, and I crossed the Pacific with a group of retired geriatrics. My first night in Japan was spent at a four-star hotel. The next day I broke away from the tour group to find the Kodokan. Although the exchange rate for yen was favorable, the financial burden my family experienced was staggering. I was very fortunate that my parents stood behind me in my venture. My mother worked solely to support my judo career. Fortunately times have changed: United Stated Judo Inc. and the Olympic Committee now fund some of our athletes' training in Japan.
As Japan began to open itself to foreigners and Americans began to realize the necessity of international training, the preconceived concepts of both countries began to change. For example, when I was training it was deemed essential to spend at least three to six months at a time in Japan. The idea behind this was that foreigners could not possibly understand a sport born in Japan without first understanding the Japanese culture. We were made to study judo, including kata (forms), as a part of our education. Today American athletes make two or three trips to Japan annually, spending two weeks training with great intensity, and they are generally treated as equals.

Health and the Athlete
As with all sports, modern science and improved knowledge of athletic training have revolutionized the way judoka train. During my era, we did not consider the fact that many of the drills that were deemed necessary to increase our athletic prowess were actually extremely dangerous. For example, duck-walking for a quarter mile or duck-walking stadiums while carrying a teammate on your back is now considered suicidal for the knees. Today's athlete is much more informed about the health and well-being of the human body.
An athlete preparing for a competition today follows a rigorous training and nutrition schedule. He may start his day with roadwork, distance and sprints, followed by weight training and a technical judo session. After a break, he returns to the dojo for drills and randori. All of this is closely monitored by a trainer or the athlete himself to ensure that proper attention is paid to injury prevention, rehabilitation and nutritional supplements.
The changes in the treatment and prevention of injuries have allowed athletes to sustain their competitive career for many more years than was possible in the past.

Judo as a Modern Sport
The availability of media resources has also made a great impact on judo. During my day, Americans had very few opportunities to work with or fight against international players. Today we can study films of great athletes from all over the world from the comfort of our living room.

The ideals of victory have also changed. At the beginning of "international judo," it was konjo, or fighting spirit, that motivated the warriors of the sport. Today the great competitors around the world still have konjo, but they are also driven by financial rewards. In 1971 1 received $3 a day while traveling to the World Games. Today some of judo's top athletes are fortunate enough to receive an annual salary that rivals the top competitors in some professional sports. It is the financial influence that spurs many great accomplishments in all sports. Impoverishment gives people great inspiration to improve their condition, and sport provides the means. The Japanese used judo as their vehicle, and now Americans are utilizing the sport to create revenue and glory.

This trend in benefiting from sport training is a positive method of motivating the youth of America to better themselves. To be the best, judoka, like most athletes, must tolerate vast hardships-including physical, mental and financial difficulties. But all the sacrifice and suffering dulls in the light of having the opportunity to represent the United States in international competition. For a young person, to be able to travel the world competing and training is one of the greatest ways to spend one's youth.
Anytime you have an opportunity to do something you are passionate about, jump at the chance. I highly recommend that all potential judo champions spend some time training in Japan because, as they say, "The best always do more than the rest."

About the author: Patrick M. Burris startedjudo at age 5. At 16 he brought home the gold during the USA High School Judo Championships and the Southern Pacific Judo Championships. In 1972 he was inducted into the Wrestling Hall of Fame, in 1974 and 1976 into the Black Belt Hall of Fame, and in 1975 into the U.S. Judo Association Hall of Fame. He is a two-time Olympian, two-time champion of the Pan-Am Games, six-time USA nationaljudo kata champion, seven-time South Pacific judo champion, and two-time American wrestling champion.

Club Notice: No Training over Easter

There will be no training at the Dojo Easter Friday, Saturday, or the Monday.

Contributors Wanted!!!

Expressions of interest are currently being taken from club members interested in contributing directly to judokong.com on a semi-regular basis. The tools are a piece of piss to use. It is a great opportunity to contribute to the life and well being of the club and Judo in the Auckland region. Send an email to: judokong@gmail.com and we'll hook you up to publish.

Register NOW: Judoka Paintball Smackdown!!!

The University Judo Club in association with WTF productions would like to extend a warm invitation to club members, their friends, and their foes (and even players from Judokwai) for the first annual Judoka Paintball Smackdown event.

UJC’s Moveable Feast This Monday

Club members are invited to dine at Two Monkeys Vietnamese Restaurant on Dominion Road after training this coming Monday at 8pm. The expected cost is projected to be slightly more than $10.00 per head.