~ Pan US Judo Clinic Caravan at Indiana ~
1. 20 kids waiting for me in a village after a 4.5 hour drive
Sat, Sep 28th, I was at Muncie, Indiana. Due to the hurricane in the previous week, the participants were only 20, mostly kids. They endured the 3 hour AM session and the 2 hour PM session…and didn’t lose focus!!!
2. The possibility of kids is not so easy to uncover – that’s why it’s so fun!!
Of the 20 participants, 15 were kids including toddlers. I initially thought that high level techniques could be too tough for them, but lo and behold, as I progressed my coaching, there were able to do all this, surprisingly.
Since we had low headcount, I spent more time on practicing techniques. None of them got tired of doing this, and their focus was there. Great Job!! It made me realize again that as an educator, bringing out the infinite possibilities of kids as well as growing their strength is the core job. Don’t you think that these kids are shining?
Thank you for coming!! Great Job, Indianans!!
3. Versatility in Judo, but the best is to get it done
In a rural area like Muncie, unlike places like LA, Judo is not that popular. However, when kids wear their DOGI, tie their OBI and bow, I am touched.
I have done 14 clinics in 11 states so far. Although there are “colors” in each location, but one thing common is that everyone is enjoying doing it. Whether its popular their or not, whether you’re strong or not, that doesn’t matter. In Japan, I saw kids where their parents forced them to do Judo, or kids just doing what the coach tells them to do. In the US a country of self-assertion, there is a strong value of “I’m working hard, because I love the sport” which is beautiful.
This applies not only to judo, but in education. Have a strong will, and work hard to attain that dream. This is a strong value that I want to teach all the kids I meet going forward. Everytime I teach, I learn something new.
A few more weeks until 2024 is over. But I ain’t stopping.
