3. Now it’s time The Inaugural GKJN Cup (June 5th)
(1) Participants – 200!!
This was my biggest concern. I know that there’s Saturday, but what happens if they all left after Saturday and they’re all gone… But concern was in vain. We found 200 participants Adults and Kids during the Judo Clinic in the morning. And in the Team Event in the afternoon 145 kids participated which exceeded my expectations.
Opening Ceremony, Day 2
General Councel Mr. Tajima came too!!
Mr. Goto – a legend in Chicago – sang the National Anthems of both Japan and USA.
He’s past 80!! Wow!!
At the start of the Judo Clinic.
Are you ready〜〜?!!
All the kids are serious with the Clinic by Marti Malloy – London Olympics Bronze Medalist
Everyone does their best to try the WAZAs taught by Mari. The future Team USA Candidates!!
(2) LUNCH TIME!!
300 lunches were donated by a very famous Japanese Restaurant in Schaumburg “Daruma” Every Japanese resident in Chicago knows this place. We also prepared PIZZAs too, but most of the people were enjoying the lunch provided by Daruma Restaurant.
Hard work from 6AM to prepare all these lunches. Thank you so much!!
Thank you to all the Daruma staff!!
Part of 300 meals!! 10 large boxes!!!
(3) A Unique Rule
The Tournament in the GKJN Cup is a Team Match Event, but your team members are decided on site!! A normal Team Match is fighting with your mates, but in the GKJN Cup the administration separates the kids based on age, weight and skills. This way the kids can interact with kids from different Dojos and making friends. The Team names are decided by the kids. They need to work together to accomplish the first objective. This is good for education, but very unique method.
Team Matches are not popular in the US so the kids didn’t know what they needed to do.
Congratulations Everybody~~!!! The winner team in the center, runner-up is on the left, 3rd place on the right. The Winning Team for the Boys was “The McDonalds Boys” and the girls, “Megumi’s Angels!!”
Very unique team names – imagination of kids are limitless!!
(4) ompetition and Raffle
The Team Match is different than the Individual Matches that took place on Saturday. You become a teammate with someone you just met for the first time, but then rooting for your teammates, screaming from the lungs when you win, but also hugging when in defeat. Kids are pure – they becomes friends in a moment. I truly felt the strength of these kids.
And then the Raffle. A total of 37 prizes provided by our sponsors!! Adults and Kids, no one hates a Raffle, No? Everyone got very excited during the raffle. Not only just the winners, but everyone. Next year, I want to bring in more prizes!! Getting ready for next year!!!
Rooting for your teammate
Hugging when in defeat. Tears…
A lot more drama in this Team Match
The smiles of kids winning a raffle prize is very different.
I also wanted to win the Air Ticket!!!
4. Lastly
For us, GKJN, this was the first large scale event and our first large challenge. It was the Inaugural event but what made this such a success was because of all of the warm support by everyone. I am in strong belief that this event was something made by everyone that supported.
Actually, we booked this site in November of 2021 when COVID was nowhere near where we are today. We spent the 7 months in preparation, understanding everyday that this is only made possible by the support from many many people. I also am in a position to payback what I can by driving GKJN to success.
I vow to commit myself to make our next generation happy and prosperous through Judo. I appreciate your continued support.
Finally I would like to thank again all of the sponsors, the volunteers, and the people that visited the event.
I LOVE JUDO〜!! I LOVE CHICAGO!! I LOVE ALL OF YOU!!
