US Junior Olympics, my students were in 5th and 6th place
On June 16th and 17th in Shreveport, Louisiana the Junior Olympics were held where 3 members from Tohkon Judo Academy participated. The other mission was to look for next generation potential candidates for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This article shares the excitement of the games and the efforts of our students. Please enjoy the article as it also contains our “funny’ trip down there.
１．Site is in Louisiana, requires a layover
Our flight to Shreveport was from Chicago via Dallas Fort Worth – a 5 hour one way excursion. Yes, it’s summer, dead summer and everyday the temperature was as high as 35C (95F) I was not aware that this climate was a prelude to what happens in our trip…
900 miles south of Chicago – if we drove it would have taken 13 hours. I was invited to drive together with one of the students family, but…declined.
Nice and quiet local city
With bells and whistles – Back Pack, Roller Bag, Stroller and a Baby. I didn’t know that the training that I did as an athlete would come in to use.
２．What are Junior Olympics?
This event decides who will make Team USA for the World Cadet Championships (15~17 years old) in Croatia scheduled in August, and the world Junior Championships (15~21 years old) in Portugal held in October.
No references to past records, but it’s a one shot try where the winners of each class make the team. Simple. Japan, on the other hand, never decides on a result from one tournament but requires a great track record. Not saying either is better or worse, but in the United States, “Fairness” comes first. Yes, in the Olympic Games, everything is “one shot”
Event side adjacent to the Hotel. Huge!!
6 rings!! Never see this in Japan.
Cadet USA representative member!!
Junior USA representative member!!
３．How did our (“Tohkon”) kids do?
The 3 members that participated from Tohkon Judo Academy are as below.
(1) Trent Tono(CADET[15～17Age]MALE/UNDER 55KG)
Trent is 17 years old and will be the last challenge in the Cadet Class. 2 wins, 2 losses and was placed 6th. Not something he was looking for. He was struggling with a knee injury, but made a brilliant IPPON win – a bright future could be ahead of him.
He’s still young – the sky is the limit.
Most of the matches when to Golden Score (Overtime) I didn’t teach him how to battle here…
Try more WAZAs Trent!!
Brilliant!! Text Book Tomoe Nage IPPON. Let’s brush up on the techniques, work on the tenacity. You’re gonna be a lot better.
(2) Michael Taheny(IJF JUNIOR[1５～21Age]MALE/ UNDER 81KG)
2 wins, 2 losses and placed 5th
But he challenged in the Junior Class at an age of 16. He won with IPPON with the Uchimata that he’s practicing. This was a great accomplishment. You got a long future ahead. You have the Japan Boot Camp and then the US Open. Go for a Medal, Mike!!
Kumite is his room for improvement. But he can still be stronger and better.
Beautiful IPPON with Uchimata!!
(3) Joseph Taheny(NOVICE BANTAM MALE/UNDER 36KG)
There’s also a place for the 9 year old Joey. He lost the first match, but won Silver winning through the consolation. Although not an official class, it’s still the No. 2 in the United States!! HE, has a lot of time going forward. Olympic Gold could be a dream come true.
After the match, they’re friends.
Joey, next time you’re gonna be in the middle!!
Joey is always cute 😊
４．2 offers for Judo Clinics from USA JUDO.
Utilizing the time in between matches, met with the Chairman of USA JUDO Keith Bryant, et al with regards to the schedules of the latter half of 2023.
Received offers for 2 Judo Clinis, one in Portland and another in Los Angeles. Of course accepted – looking forward in seeing JUDOKAs.
Keith (Left) and Eddie (Right)
Eddie is the Strengthening Coach for USA JUDO as well as the Bronze Medalist from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics!!
５．Extras and Wrap Up (Power Failures, Flight Delays, etc)
This was the first time I brought long my son on this 3 day trip. However, on the first night at 3AM a lighting struck the hotel and of course no electricity. Couldn’t charge my phone, but moreover the AC stopped where the outside temperature was 35C (95F) and I have a 0 year old boy with me…
The power did not come back until 9PM – we spend the time at the lobby where the backup power supply provided a bit of AC as well as the Event Site. I was stressed out, but people here were cool saying “there’s nothing you can do about it!!”
The return flight was delayed and the layover in Dallas was only 25 minutes!! Holding my baby, backpack, roller bag, and running through the large DFW airport. I believe I had to run 1km with all this ballast, but made it, the prize was full of sweat 😊 Next time I’ll make sure to have ample layover time.
It’s been a while from the last time at a US Championship match, but the level of Juniors is getting better. This makes my goal alter a little bit, coaching not just a US Class JUDOKA, but a World Class JUDOKA will be my challenge.
Very grateful for the 3 day experience.
The spacious lobby was a wonderland for my son.
but then followed by Security,
and arrested…
This is my sprint gear through DFW!!
Reunion with the Oklahoma Girls!!
Karlee Carrouth (Right) is World Class and she could be in the LA Olympics.
We’ll see 😊
