ILLINOIS JUDO NEWSLETTER – IPPON

ILLINOIS JUDO NEWSLETTER – IPPON!!!

May 26, 2006

President: James Colgan

VP: Mary Gail Ford

Secretary: Dennis Helm

Treasurer: Irwin Cohen

Editor: Kei Narimatsu

THIS NEWSLETTER MAY BE PASSED ON TO ANYONE IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK WHO MIGHT NOT GET THIS DIRECTLY FROM THE EDITOR. I DO NOT ALWAYS HAVE CURRENT EMAIL ADDRESSES BUT CLUB INSTRUCTORS, STATE PRESIDENTS AND OTHERS MAY WANT TO LET THEIR MEMBERS HAVE THIS AS WELL. PLEASE DISTRIBUTE AS YOU WISH. IF THOSE INDIVIDUALS WISH TO GET THIS EMAIL FIRST HAND, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT knarimatsu@microlamps.com with subject: Add to Illinois Judo Newsletter

Illinois Judo Newsletter – IPPON!! is the voice of Illinois Judo, sent whenever convenient to members of Illinois Judo and other interested parties. All articles and content are the opinion of the editor unless otherwise noted and do not reflect the opinion of Illinois Judo, its officers or members. Information is gathered from various sources expressly sent for distribution. Contents may contain inaccurate information. If anyone can correct any inaccuracies, they will be published as soon as possible. Information presented will be of a general nature only and will not promote any national organization except USJI/USA Judo or any of its state governing bodies. Tournament and clinic notifications will be made for all organizations and will be guaranteed posted if sent to the editor in electronic format ONLY and in a timely manner. Illinois Judo will make every effort to respect your privacy and never sell, trade, or otherwise abuse the privilege of serving you via this e-mail newsletter.

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Contents:

Editorial – ramblings
USA JUDO NEW
Pan-Am Support from US JUDO
Serving Our Country
Something to think about –

Ø To those with small children or knows someone with small children – please open this link.

Ø GREAT MOMENTS IN BASEBALL HISTORY

Upcoming Event
USA Judo Life Members

Editorial – ramblings of an editor

The 22^nd Annual North-South Tournament was held this past weekend. Over 125 players, mainly from the south (Illinois and Missouri) but some from the north (Chicago) came to participate. A Kata Competition was held. Junior and Senior (Novice and Advanced) Competitions were held. A Team Competition was held. A lot of effort went into making this event a success. 22 years and the dedicated efforts of the clubs in the area including but not limited to Belleville Judo, Kito Kan, Stars, Kirkwood, and others have given a nostalgic feeling to this event.

I remember the first North – South Tournament, and the 2^nd, and the 3^rd and countless others over the years. While I have not attended all 22, I do remember those first ones. I remember a younger Quentin Thompson and Sue McConnell setting up mats and scoreboards at Belleville Area College. I remember an even younger Eiko Shepherd warming up the kids before the competition. I know that folks like Ron and Sandy Yoshida and their three boys, Tom Kuhne, Russ Little, Randy Pierce, David York, George Stanich and others were very supportive during those early years. I remember Hank Okamura, Dick Fukuyama, Drew Wickham, Mary Gail Ford, coming down there with 5 – 10 players each to support this event.

I remember the team matches also. In those early years, the North dominated those senior matches. On the few occasions when the South would win a match, the crowd would roar with excitement. Though it did not happen often, it gave rise for hope and like the CUBBIES, it was wait til next year. It was a great rivalry but mixed with friendly competition and afterwards, all the players would retire to the local bar or someone’s house for some refreshments and camaraderie. This is what Judo was and is all about.

So what has changed? Quentin, Sue, Eiko, Tom, Russ, David, Drew are still there. Many of the old timers like Hank and Dick are gone, but their children are there. And some of us will be there until we go to the great mat in the sky, I guess. The tournament has changed little since those early days. Venue is different; there are still two mats, scoreboards are the same (one is electronic), pairings are same, food is the same. Additionally, what has not changed are the people. The “southerners” continue to be great Judo affectionado’s enthusiastic and willing to work hard for this sport and for Judo in Illinois, generous in their hospitality. They continue to roar with excitement about the team match (which they lost 12 – 0) but are undaunted in their hopes for next year. (Note that the South humiliated the North in 2005).

The N-S Tournament has changed and not changed. It has new people and some of the same “old” people. It is, at once, nostalgic and hopeful for the future of Judo in the southern Illinois/St Louis area. It is a sacrifice to get there, it is a long drive or an expensive airline ticket. It is another weekend away from home. Nevertheless, it is a tournament that all Illinoisan’s should support – each year, every year. Consider this for next year and tell the folks down there that we really are one state.

Our condolences to the family of David Malek of Wisconsin on the death of his mother, Violet Malek. Please visit the Notice at:
http://www.legacy.com/Link.asp?Id=LS17886165X

USJI News

Complete coverage of these articles available at the USA Judo website. Click on the link below http://www.usjudo.org/ and click on the What's New page to see all the recent news items.

From the Desk of the Director of Coaching and Athlete Development, Eddie Liddie

Organizations, Individuals Support Team USA at the Pan Am Championships

The response from the USA Judo community has been overwhelming as state organizations, clubs and individuals throughout the nation have come out in force to support Team USA’s athletes as they prepare to depart for the Pan American Championships this week, May 25-27 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Just over a week ago, USA Judo had the pleasure of announcing that athletes in Olympic weight divisions will be eligible for $500 in award money for a gold medal and $300 for a silver.

Within just 24 hours members of the USA Judo family began to come forward to provide additional incentive dollars.

All members of Team USA in Olympic Weight divisions are now eligible for a total of $1,400 for a gold medal from the following supporters: $500 from USA Judo, $500 from Ki-Itsu-Sai Judo Club, $200 from Team USA Assistant Manager Antonio Rodriguez and $200 from Enrique Lopez and the National Judo Institute of Miami and Orlando.

Athletes in non-Olympic weight divisions also are eligible for $400 in funding following a gold medal win, thanks to $200 provided by Team USA Assistant Manager Antonio Rodriguez and $200 from Enrique Lopez and the National Judo Institute of Miami and Orlando.

In addition, several states have offered incentives for their home athletes.

Illinois Judo will match USA Judo’s financial incentive for Illinois athletes Aaron Cohen and two-time Pan Am Champion Ronda Rousey, both of Buffalo Grove, Ill. and the NYAC and Cohen Judo Clubs, who are now eligible for an additional award of $500 for a gold medal and $300 for a silver medal.

Florida Judo also will match USA Judo’s incentive for Florida athletes, including Veronica Prado (North Lauderdale, Fla./North Miami USA Judo National Training Site/44kg) and Kirk Hoffmann (St. Petersburg, Fla./Olympic Training Center USA Judo National Training Site/+100kg), giving them the opportunity to earn $500 for a gold medal and $300 for a silver medal.

Colorado Judo League is providing the incentive of $500 for a gold medal and $300 for a silver medal to Colorado athletes Kirk Hoffmann (+100kg) and Ryan Reser (73kg), both from the Olympic Training Center USA Judo National Training Site in Colorado Springs as well as Djamaldin Aliev (Greenwood Village, Colo./European Judo/Olympic Training Center USA Judo National Training Site/100kg).

Texas Judo Inc. and the Texas Judo Fund will provide a bonus for Texas athletes who place at the Pan Ams in the following amounts: $500 for a gold medal; $300 for a silver medal; and $100 for a bronze medal. Pan Am Team members from Texas include: Nicole Kubes (Fort Worth, Texas/Fort Worth Judo/78kg), Taylor Takata (Harlingen, Texas/Harlingen USA Judo National Training Site/66kg) and Andre Taylor (Plano, Texas/Becerra Judo/55kg).

Also, all athletes in Olympic weight divisions that did not receive full funding for the Pan Ams will receive reimbursement from USA Judo upon achieving the following:

ü Gold medal

Athletes who win a gold medal will become fully funded athletes regardless of his/her International point level and shall be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses incurred, including flight (if the athlete was not already partially funded), room and board and other reasonable related expenses.

ü Silver Medal

Athletes who win a silver medal will receive reimbursement for his/her airfare, not to exceed $1,000.00 or an amount determined to be reasonable, provided the ticket is purchased within 14 days of departure. If the athlete is already a partially funded athlete, he/she will receive reimbursement for his/her room and board and other reasonable related expenses.

“On behalf of USA Judo and our athletes, we are extremely appreciative of everyone who has come forward to support Team USA,” USA Judo CEO Jose Rodriguez said. “Our athletes have put in countless hours of training for this event as it is our first step toward the 2008 Olympic Games and the generosity of these supporting individuals and organizations will help these athletes with their training and future goals as we head toward Beijing.”

Team USA departs Monday for the Pan Ams with individual shiai competition taking place Thursday and Friday followed by kata and team events on Saturday. Visit www.usjudo.org for all the latest news, results, athlete diaries, coaches’ notes, video clips and more!

Any individuals, corporations or other organizations who would like to support Team USA or athletes from a particular state/region can still do so until noon MST Wednesday May 24. Those interested in providing further athlete incentives may contact Eddie Liddie via e-mail at eddie.liddie@usajudo.us.

SERVING OUR COUNTRY:

PVT Luke Jacobsen –Marines, Okinawa

LTJG Donny Newsome, Gurnee, IL

LT Nick Oldfield, Navy, Virginia – home base

Mike Preditus –

Please let me know other Judo families who have loved ones serving in our military: rank, branch of service and where they are serving. Thanks.

Something to Think About –
To those with small children OR know someone who has small children, please link to this site and watch the warning. Pretty important.

Deadly Toy for Kids?

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=1745716

GREAT MOMENTS IN BASEBALL HISTORY – Cubs Rick Monday saves the day 30 years ago

mms://a1503.v108692.c10869.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/1503/10869/v0001/mlb.download.akamai.com/10869/library/open/features/monday_flag_350.wmv?media_type=wms&av_type=video&event_pk=486348&product=gen_video

UPCOMING EVENTS - 2006
Please note the following events on the horizon for Illinois and the Midwest. Communication and download information can be gotten directly through this email by attachments or by going to www.judofdl.com (Brett Wood Taylors Welcome Mat Judo). OR www.judocalendar.com (Jim Carmer). Either site is a wealth of information on Judo events. Both have more events listed than I have, so visit their sites often. Thanks.