Judo Clinic in a rural city in Indiana
On Saturday, September 30th, I was invited for a Judo Clinic by the city of Muncie Indiana located about 220 miles southeast of Chicago. 2 hours in the morning and another 2 in the afternoon. Although it was only 4 hours, I met with a lot of great people, and was able to pickup some findings. I made me realize again that my activity of cultural exchange and healthy youth development through Judo has no limits.
Please allow me to share the experience with a lot of photos.
Muncie Indiana
Yup, driving through the middle of nowhere
１．JUDO Lovers!!
Muncie Indiana, the location of this event, is the most rural city that I have been in since I started my activity. I was honestly anxious that maybe no one knows what Judo is in such a rural location, and also was anxious that if there were going to be people there. (Apologies to the people in Muncie)
However, I was disappointed, in a good way!! Over 50 JUDOKAs got together and half o them were kids!! 2 years since I started my activities in the US, being told that JUDO is a minor sport, but to find so many JUDO lovers in Muncie made me very happy. Iwas strongly motivated to find that there are a lot of things to do to achieve one of my targets “Increasing the JUDO population in the United States”
Ross Center, the local community center, which was the site of this event
Clinic Site
The kids!! Can you find me?
２．Spending Time (and money) to learn – an encounter with a family
I was shocked at one thing. Isaiah, a 16 year old boy living in Kentucky found out about this clinic the day before and had his mom drive 7 hours to get here!!
He started JUDO 4 years ago, but moved 2 years ago to a location where there are no JUDO Clubs. He placed mats in his garage and practices every day while taking part in the wrestling team in his high school. Every month he would drive 2.5 hours to practice at some facility. Today the drive was 7 hours (longer than my clinic…) Hats off to his eagerness!!
He was very spontaneous during the clinic, while mom records everything that happens. I was moved by this family’s straightness. His shining eyes was the one highlight of this clinic.
In Japan, if you wanted to learn JUDO, you’ll find a DOJO anywhere, but in the US this is reality. How can I support these people??? This is one of the obstacles that I need to clear, but I will continue to do my JUDO Clinic caravan and then develop my actions to make it more effective. Thank you Isaiah, and good luck!!!
Isaiah with a lot of questions, Good!
Having him “feel it” is the most important thing
Best smiles after the clinic
This, is his DOJO. If you have the will, you can do anything!!
３．What is the value of my coaching? Still in development.
This was the 10th clinic in the United States. Different than in Japan, there’s a lot of things I don’t know until I get there. (Age distribution, total number of people, the size of the DOJO, etc) So I would need to plan my clinic during my warmup. I have come to understand that my options have increased through this experience.
In Japan, the clinics are basically for kids (no adults) In the US, anyone can participate. Wide age range, beginners to Black Belts – I makes it difficult to have a focused menu. For kids I need them to learn the fun of JUDO, for Adult beginners, the basics, and for Black Belts and athletes what want to win, I need to coach them techniques. It’s not that easy to cover all these in 1 session (2~3 hours) which makes me thing every single time.
Outside of Japan, the JUDOKAs from Japan are respected. However, if the coaching is verbal only and if you cannot show the techniques, it’s only a matter of time before they get bored. I need to maintain my physical strength as well as the sharpness of my WAZAs and continue to be able to convey the fun o f Judo. I still need to continue to work out.
If anyone reading this article wants to participate, please let me know. And if and when you do, please provide feedback and advice!!!
Coaching details – the position and orientation of the feet
Everyone was serious until the end.
So cute, but coaching wasn’t that easy
The youngest of all, a 5 year old girl.
Very spontaneous and was raising here hand in front of everybody
I need to continue training so that my legs go this high 10, 20 years from today
The trick to raise your feet – even adults were serious.
Homemade Tacos for lunch!! Delicious!!
４．The journey continues – full thrust forward!!
I have a 2 day clinic in Los Angeles in November, a 5 day long run clinic in Washington DC in December. I will continue to believe in my dreams and the value that JUDO brings and always prepare for the best clinics. There are 50 states in the United States. The field is limitless. I am excited to discover new JUDOKAs and excited to find out what kind of experience I will face. I hope everyone is excited too.
In 2028 the Olympic Games will be held in Los Angeles – my full thrust forward continues.
I love the US where everyone is so kind and warm.
Thank you for Indiana!! We shall meet again.
