A little victory dance I am working on...

On Saturday after our club wins, I shall preform the following dance for all of you

Young Judoka Wins Poetry Contest

[By STU PIDDINGTON - The Timaru Herald]
Budding poet Sam Dunn has been judged South Canterbury's number one All Black fan.
The 13-year-old will have a chance to met and be photographed with two All Blacks on Sunday at Caroline Bay as part of the MasterCard All Blacks Roadshow. He will also receive a framed 2009 All Black jersey signed by the team.
Sam's passionate poem from the heart impressed the judges and he saw off two other worthy applicants for the number one spot.
The delighted All Blacks fan responded with "cool" when told of his win.
"I'm really excited."
Sam plays on the wing for Harlequins, has just been graded as an orange belt in judo and likes writing poems at Timaru Boys High School.
He is also hoping to be accepted for a rugby referee's course during the school holidays.
His mum thinks he will get little sleep between now and Sunday morning.
"He's played since he was five and as soon as he got home from school wanted to check I had put his entry in."
Sam's favourite AB is Joe Rokocoko and he was pleased to see his idol regain form with a try on Saturday against Italy.
He reckons the men in black have some work to do ahead of the Tri Nations but is confident they can come through.
Waimate's Megan O'Neill nominated her husband Tom, a Buck Shelford fanatic.
Megan writes: "over the years Tom has named his jetboat and dog after Buck and if he could have got away with calling one of our daughters `Shelford' he would have."
"At our wedding in 1994 our best man presented us with a cardboard cutout of Buck and everyone cheered as they knew what Tom's great love for Buck and the All Blacks."
Tom also still chants "bring back Buck" when the occasion arises, she said.
A dedicated fan, Tom will get a chance to meet his hero face to face on Sunday.
Timaru octogenarian Daphne Smith lays claim to being the oldest number one All Black fan.
"With the onset of winter, I simply can't wait for those short days and chilly nights to watch the All Blacks.
The 81-year-old's passion runs high, too.
"Thanks to the All Blacks and the upcoming Rugby World Cup when my oncologist announced that my cancer was terminal I replied `not till after 2011 it won't be'.
"So thanks to the All Blacks for achieving my goal another few years of rugby-watching enjoyment."
The roadshow will be off Marine Parade from 11am to 3pm.
Sam's winning poem:
"Why I am number one All Black fan"
I await every game with excitement
I feel their anticipation
The national anthem plays

Unofficially, following the All Blacks vs Italy test, Sam is said to be revising his poem to read:
I await every game with excitement
The national anthem plays
Disappointed again!

Judo Hygiene Issue Strikes a Chord

Hi Rick

Just been over your web and I agree with the lack of hygiene standard children are showing in judo these days.
Walking around without footwear from a contest mat, then going on a mat fighting again.
Then when their division is finished walking around the venue without footwear waiting for the next division to fight in.
We experienced this on Sunday at a Wellington event and I was telling many young judoka (not from my club) to put something on their feet.

We insist club members wear shoes/footwear to the edge of the mat and if they wish to go to the toilets they have to put something on their feet accordingly.
We drill into them hygiene is a top priority of the club.

At our next local event I am going to get on the mat or tell the Area Coach to get all the kids on the mat and give them a lecture on it.

Have a good judo week.
Karen Parker

KAPITI JUDO CLUB
PH/FAX: 04-902 8555
EMAIL: kfgs@paradise.net.nz

Ne Waza Seminar

Tokubetsu Events Proudly announce a NE WAZA SEMINAR
to be held on: Saturday and Sunday, 8th and 9th August 2009
at: Caulfield Judo Club, rear of 1147 Glenhuntly Road, Glenhuntly.
The Instructor will be: Mr. Koji Komuro,Kodokan 5th Dan.

Mr Komuro attended Tsukuba University and holds Gold medals from: Matsutaro Shoriki Cup,Hungarian International Open Championships, Korean Open Championships and Pacific Rim Championships.
His Sensei was the famous Kosen Judo Master,Kanae Hirata.

Fees:
Seminar: $100.00
Dinner: $45.00 (optional)

N.B. The dinner is optional, however, a reservation has been made at the local Japanese restaurant for the Saturday night. Prior bookings and payment are required by Monday, 3rd August as numbers are limited.

Programme
Saturday: Day 1. 12.00 MD Registration
13.00 Official Bow On.
15.00 Tea Break
15.30 Continuation of Seminar
17.30 Closure of Day 1

Sunday: Day 2 11.00 Optional Bonus Revision and Randoori session
For Seminar participants of Day 1 only; Fee $20.00.

CONDITIONS:
a. All Seminar fees and forms must be received by Friday, 24th July. Forms should be sent to 1106 Malvern Road, Armadale, 3143

b.Further enquiries can be made to Susie Moorshead: Tel: 03 9077 1450 Mob; 0413 548 395; email: s.moorshead@optusnet.com.au
Yoshi Uemura; Tel: 042 0502 340. Email: carpkatta@mail.goo.ne.jp

c. Participants must be 16 years of age and over.

SPECTATORS WILL NOT BE ADMITTED TO THE EVENT.
Underwritten by Caulfield Judo Club and Seishinkan Judo Academy

From the Recent Inter-club Training at Judokwai

Club Captain Ben (the only one from Uni to attend) is in the back row. You will notice that he is pioneering the new post-belt, coloured gi grading system (that runs in parallel with the sanctioned Kodokan system). Ben's distinctly grey judo gi indicates that he has moved beyond black and is now well on the way to earning the coveted pink judo gi as worn by the stuntman, wrestler, and judoka Gene Le Belle.

Auckland Invitational Comp

Has unfortunately been cancelled

Russia aims for Olympic judo comeback

By Alexander Fedorets – MOSCOW (AFP) — Once taught to Soviet secret policemen, before being outlawed by the communists, judo is desperate for a new Russian revolution.
Failures by the country's judokas at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and the world championships in Brazil, have forced the national federation to reset its sights on youngsters with medals the target at the 2012 London Games.
Judo has endured a colourful and sometimes bloody history in Russia.
The sport first appeared in Czarist Russia in 1914 when a Japanese citizen, of Russian origin, Vasily Oshchepkov set up a dojo in Vladivostok.
He had studied in the famous Kodokan school, which was established by judo father Jigoro Kano in Japan.
After the communists came to power, Oshchepkov was teaching local police officers and secret servicemen the judo basics.
But this episode had an unhappy ending.
In the late 1930s, the communists condemned judo as "bourgeois" and alien to the Soviet people, while Oshchepkov's father was accused of espionage and executed in 1937.
The revival of judo in the Soviet Union took place in 1962, when the sport was included in the Olympic programme and the national judo federation was set up.
Judo enthusiasts in the USSR enjoyed immediate success winning four bronze medals at 1964 Games in Tokyo.
Judo quickly became popular in the Soviet Union, especially in the Caucasian republics where wrestling was already established.
Shota Chochishvili was the first Soviet judoka to win Olympic gold at the 1972 Olympics at Munich.
Soviet judokas then won medals at Olympics, world and European championships on a regular basis providing Japan with a tough challenge until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.
At the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, David Khakhaleishvili of Georgia and Azerbaijan's Nazim Guseinov, who were members of the unified team, won the last Olympic golds for the desintegrating country.
Since those Games, judo gold has eluded Russia.
Even the support of former Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is a passionate judo fan, could not inspire any of the country's judokas to an Olympic title.
Last year, a dozen Russian judokas were ranked among the best in their weight divisions, giving hope for success at Beijing.
However, not one single medal was captured and emergency measures were required.
A foreign coach was sought and Ezio Gamba of Italy was unanimously approved.
European judo federation chief Sergei Soloveichik said: "Gamba performed very well in the African training centre of the international judo federation and we are hoping that the Russian period of his career will also be a success."
The Italian has already made his mark.
At last month's European championships at Tbilisi, Russian judokas won eight medals including five golds.
"We have enough talent and plenty of time ahead of the London Games," said Gamba.
"I believe in the bright prospects of Russian judo."

Wrestling: It's legal if the ref doesn't see

A certain judoka new to University Judo (we won't name names here) learnt the 'Robert Levy' strangle on Wednesday, liked it so much that he turned up to Wrestling and applied it with devastating results - strangled his opponent completely out!

(NB: Strangles are not permitted in Wrestling)

13th COMMONWEALTH JUDO CHAMPIONSHIPS

On behalf of the Commonwealth Judo Association Executive and the host Federation I wish to extend an invitation to participate in this Championship.
The Singapore Judo Federation will be hosting the 2010 Commonwealth Judo Championships to be held from the 8th–12th January 2010 at the:
SUNTEC SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL
CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE
EXHIBITION HALL 404
SINGAPORE

These Championships will be for Senior Men & Women, Junior Men & Women,& Masters.The programme proposed is:
Friday 8th January
5.00pm Executive Meeting
7.30pm Executive & Organising Committee meeting
8.30pm Technical Committee meeting

Saturday 9th January
9.30am-12.30pm Congress
- followed by lunch for Delegates courtesy of Host Federation.
3.00pm. Tournament Technical Rehersal at Venue.
5.00pm. Referees Meeting.
6.00pm. Draw for all Divisions (except OPEN’s which will be drawn at the Tournament Venue two (2) hours prior to scheduled event.)
7.00pm. Collation of Draws.

Note:All above meetings will be held at the Hotel Venue for Congress.

QUALITY HOTEL SINGAPORE
201 Balestier Road,
SINGAPORE 329926
Telephone +65 6355 9988
Fax +65 6255 0988
www.qualityhotel.com.sg

Sunday 10th JanuaryDay 1:
10.00am. Championships commence.
Junior Men & Women (all categories)
Masters (all categories)
1.00pm Official Opening Ceremony.
4.30pm Finals Block.
6.00pm. Competition conclusion Day 1.

Monday 11th January. Day 2:
10.00am. Contesting commences.
Senior Men +100, -100, -90 & -81kg categories
Senior Women +78, -78, -70 & -63kg categories
4.30pm. Finals Block.
6.00pm. Competition conclusion Day 2.

Tuesday 12th January. Day 3:
10.00am. Contesting commences.
Senior Men: -73, -66, -60, -56kg & OPEN
Senior Women: -57, -52, -48, -44kg & OPEN
4.30pm. Finals Block.

6.00pm. Competition conclusion Day 3.
Closing Ceremony.
8.00pm. Farewell Dinner.

Note: Participation in the Commonwealth Championships and Congress depends on fees having been paid in full before those Events.

Khan on Fire at WBoP Comp

Ippon in 3 seconds - This is how it's done!!

Congratulations Khan on your grade promotion

NEWS FLASH: Members beware!

Due to the infection of two judoka from the mats at the Tauranga judo (2 * poisoned legs), a RAHUI OR TAPU has been put on the fore mention club until further notice. It is dangerous to practice judo at Tauranga. I am, however, not surprised having witnessed the non-existent judo hygiene practices at the Bay of Plenty/Waikato judo championships at Tauranga last weekend. Children were playing outside with bare feet, children were going to the toilet in bare feet and then fighting on the mat ... Judo hygiene is of the utmost importance and must be observed at all times – Sensei Rick.

Waikato results

We did very well in Waikato all those who went there made sensi Rick so proud, he showed up on Monday and couldn't stop the rain of tears of joy that were coming out of his eyes!

Jacquie Fong who trains at Uni Judo but represneted Chidokan (sorry Jacquie...he made me type it!) came out with a gold medal.
Yoshio also took a gold medal in his weight catogory as he dispatched the rest of the competition with ease.
Uncle Khan also got gold in the masters under 75Kg weight catogory.
Also I must apologize to Jordan who did indeed get a bronze medal in the restricted kyu open.

Once again well done to all who went.

Batsugun Gains Momentum: Sensei Rick Challenges the Entire South Island!

The Batsugun idea is sparking a lot of discussion. Josh Gordon from the South Island writes: “This is what we need to be doing more of in the south island as well!”
To which Sensei Rick has replied: “Give all the clubs in the South Island a raku up (but don’t hold yr breath). If jetstar takes hold you could get a team together and fly to the capital AKL for peanuts, sleep in the dojo — hot showers, hard floor — but warmer than CHCH.”
Elsewhere, anon. notes that the Batsugun challenge would never have even taken place back in the day, when the Uni Judo Club wore gay tracksuits modeled on the G-force, ‘cause all the other teams would have gotten smashed.

Team Batsugun!

[Uni Judo team from a bygone era]

When: 4th July 2009 from 2pm.
Where: 6 Woodhall Rd Epsom Auckland,
Entry fee: $50.00 per team
[Next event at Western Judo]

Objective:
To foster the promotion of judo and social events by holding teams events on a regular basis at different clubs.

What was going to be team shiai between Western judo club and Uni judo on a Saturday afternoon has grown into a major event. After discussions with Cameron from Wellington, Martin from Judokai, Lawrie from Howick, Derek from Waikato/Bay of Plenty and the Korean Academy it appears that we could possibly have several teams entering.

Rules:
* Each team will consist of 12 made up of male or female.[age from 15yrs and up]
* Each team will submit the order of judoka to fight which can not be changed .[unless due to injury]
* Duration of each shiai will be 3 minutes.
* The winner stays and the loser sit down, in the event of a draw both will sit down.
* The team which has the most judoka left wins
* If at the end the teams are even then each side will choose 1 new member to fight again and chose again if necessary until a winner is declared.
* The new IJF rules will apply except scoring will be wazari and above.
* If a team only has or is reduce in number from 12 then that team will start in a minus mode.

Conact: R. Littlewood.
Auckland Uni Judo

Club News

* The club Captain, Ben Stallworthy has had a baby girl and now he looks much slimmer.
* Aaron Page (aka Pajii) has move to Wellington for a new job and now stays in bed all day on Sundays because it is so cold.
* Clayton Mitchell from Tauranga has escaped from his father’s influence by taking a job with a financial/db tui company in Wellington.
* Club numbers are averaging 25 per night with some strange looking types from the north shore coming.
* Sensei Rick is back and the 1st thing he did was castrate the members for the dusty state of the Dojo.
* Dave Mair has done a good job of teaching during sensei ricks judo holiday in Japan and Shanghai. Dave will be away for next two weeks.
* Judoka wearing blue judogi have been given the job of keeping the dojo clean and tidy
* Greg Reynolds father died last week at the age of 82, and the funeral will be held today.
* The sight of Greg trying to stay ahead of his rapidly improving judo sons will be funny to watch in the future.
* Our Japanese female judoka from Ritsumeikan uni is fitting in well. Of course she won’t be able to fight in the NZ champs because the women's division in NZ is so strong we don’t want foreigners?!

Watch out. I'm back and I'm not happy with the dirty state of the dojo!!