Today I would like to report about the Wahadachi Tournament held in Milwaukee WI on Sunday March 6th.
With the Omicron Variant showing a trend to its end, many locations have lifted the mask mandates, where this tournament took place with almost no restrictions. However, since it’s been a while from the previous tournament, 280 excited athletes gathered from all around the Midwest including 30 (26 kids, 3 adults) from Tohkon Judo Academy.
There are about 30 to 50 local tournaments per year in the United States, but with the land being so huge, a “local” tournament is a once-a-year chance. Even though it’s a local tournament, it’s a big challenge for kids. I’d like to report about the tournament the kids and how I was excited with this event.
1) The 280 participant event took 10 hours!!
The event site was at Lutheran High School in Milwaukee. Participants ranged from toddlers to experienced JUDOKAs with a total of 280!! (Wow, was Judo this popular?….in the US?)
A total of 4 tatami rings, and the toddler championship started at 10:30AM. The last match (for adults) ended at 20:30. A real long day!!
Event site filled with excitement!!
2) The age range and the infinite number of classes
In Japan tournaments for kids under the age of 7 is very rare, but here in the US you can participate as young as the age of 5. And within this age range of 5 to 16, a whopping 58 classes existed!! Every time, finding the participant is a match of its own. An individual can sign up to 2 classes – and even though it’s a tournament, there is a consolation system which enables kids to experience a many matches as possible. This I believe is a great system. Kids cry when they lose, smile when they win (even forgetting the fact that they cried with the loss) and these smiles are the best champions.
This is the tournament table overhanging the wall !!!
It’s amazing ~~ !!! It’s hard to find each person !!
3) Fair and equal for everyone – a scene that showed this
After the Junior Tournament had ended, the Senior category started in the late afternoon. Seniors are from 16 to 60 years old classified in to 17 classes. There as one participant that was visually impaired where this individual competed in the standard class. The rules were amended to start after 組む。Not only age or weight, everyone is treated fairly is the US Style. The athlete that takes up this challenge, the organizer that enables this, and all the participants were fabulous in accepting this idea. In the United States I felt that any individual with any sort of disability is treated equal (in a good way) and that the society grows together by helping each other. Another moment I felt the greatness of America.
(R)Tohkon Athlete
(L)Visually Impared Athlete
Great Snaps
Her first tournament – it went into extra time which was tough for her. She started crying but didn’t give up till the end!!
A boy who is always energetic. His bouts were very aggressive. Cool!!
Her first tournament, but won 1st prize!! Great Job, Lana!!
She was so strong where I couldn’t believe it was her debut.
Great Kuzushi!!
Nice Ippon!
Working really hard with the Hold Down
He started after being an adult – and this night was his first Judo Victory!!
A turnaround ippon after losing a waza-ari. Wonderful~~!!!
〜Postscript〜
The results of the 26 kids that participated from Tohkon was 7 Gold, 4 Silver and 4 Bronze medals. They all did great. But it was heartbreaking to see kids that couldn’t win a medal or kids that cried after losing a match. I really want to make them smile – what can I teach them? how can I help them get motivated? That made my homework.
As a second, the important role is to pull out the maximum of the athlete. How did I prepare myself when I was competing? What kind of words and gestured made me excited during a match? What kind of words after a match made me better the next time? These are the things that came to my mind. Increasing popularity of Judo is important but becoming a coach that can nurture a winner is my target and my mission as the Youth Development Coach with USA Judo.
My challenge continues. My trail and error continues. Any and all advices are welcome!!
The members from Tohkon. It looks a bit tense maybe because it was before the match 😊
