ILLINOIS JUDO NEWSLETTER – IPPON!!!
November 2, 2006

President:        Tim Schultheis
VP:                    Chuck Clark
Secretary:        Mary Gail Ford
Treasurer:       Frank Oliveri
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.

Cancellation: We're committed to Permission Distribution, so if you prefer not to receive the IPPON!!!, simply send a blank e-mail to knarimatsu@microlamps.com or hit reply with unsubscribe-IPPON in the subject line.  You will be omitted from my list FOREVER.  It is also appreciated if you would indicate your name in the tag line.  I do not use email addresses to segregate emails, only real names.  Thank you. 

Contents:
Editorial – SO YOU WANT TO BE A CHAMPION?
LOCAL NEWS
            Coach’s Certification Clinic – Mr Pat Burris
            Yamashita Video
            ILLINOIS Judo Promotions
            5th Wolf Judo Tournament
            1st Illinois Judo Junior Development Workout
            2nd Ocean State International Judo Tournament
           
USA JUDO NEWS
            Steve Bell Passes Away

Serving Our Country
Something to Think About – MARBLES
Upcoming Events
USA Judo Life Members

EDITORIAL – SO YOU WANT TO BE A CHAMPION?

How does one become #1?  How do I become a National Champion, an Olympian, an Olympic Champion?  Wait, wait, wait.  Too soon.  How do I become a Regional Champion, a State Champion, a Local Champion?  Wait, wait, wait.  Too soon.  How do I get to be a black belt, a brown belt?  How do I get from White Belt to Yellow Belt?  These questions, of course, can not be answered simply by telling someone to practice hard and you will win.  These questions can only be answered by the heart and soul of the participants.  How much do you want something and how much are you willing to sacrifice to get it.  Are you willing to work or do you just expect it to be handed to you.  How patient or impatient are you?  How ethical or unethical are you in achieving success?  Will you sacrifice your family, your health, your job, your school to achieve success?  What kind of work ethic do you have?  How much natural talent do you possess?  How lucky are you? 

Not everyone can be an Olympic Champion.  Think about it, only 14 people win every 4 years in Judo.  Those are not great odds.  And yet, some do win and some win multiple times.  Personally I can not tell you how to become a champion.  But I can speculate on how to be a champion.

It can be said that when the practice is hard, the winning is easy AND when the practice is easy the winning is hard.  This is true but first, you must believe in your self.  You must be persistent in your goals and you must have a little luck.  You have to practice hard.  100 uchikomi’s do not cut it.  You must do 1000 – in one night.  Practicing one night a week will not make you great.  Practicing three to four days a week as a minimum and you might have a chance.  Champions can do the basics right – every time.  Having natural ability helps but is not a prerequisite for greatness.  Focused goals and hard work are key components in a quest to become a champion.  Ethical behavior will give you a sense of worthiness – cheating under any circumstances will be an empty victory.  Study and listen to your Sensei’s for they have years of experience over you.  Keep an open mind on how to do things.  Experiment with different techniques and methods – pick what is best for you.  Do not be afraid of questioning the system but be respectful in doing so.  Win with humility, lose with dignity.  Teach others what you have been taught for in teaching, you WILL become better.  Your actions should always bring credit to yourself, your parents and family, your instructor and your friends.  Never do anything to bring shame or disrespect to them or this sport. 

So is this the way to win matches? Win a medal?  Not quite yet.  You must understand that discipline is the key to being a champion. Not making the same mistake twice.  Repetition, repetition, repetition.  Consistently recognizing your mistakes in practice will go a long way in recognizing your strengths and weaknesses in competition.  Be like a balloon.  Grow in all directions equally.  Work first on your weaknesses and after you have mastered them, then on your strengths.  Know the rules and know them well. 

Maintain a consistent work ethic in whatever you do – in your sport, in your job, in your school, in your home, in your interpersonal relationships, with friends and foe alike.  Winning at all costs is too costly.  Winning honestly and fairly is the sign of a true champion.  So in the final analysis, a true champion is not one who wins the medal at the end of the day.  It is the one who brings credit to him or herself.  It is the one who is a mentor to those with less talent or money.  It is the one who gives of themselves fully and unconditionally to the betterment of their sport, their company, their school, their family, their community, THE world.  The champion is one who gives more than they receive and understand with humble appreciation, the talents they may possess to accomplish these goals.  You must fervently believe, ardently desire and thoroughly commit to be a champion in anything you do.  To do anything less is cheating yourself and those around you.   This, to me, is THE TRUE CHAMPION. 

LOCAL NEWS

Announcing Illinois Judo Coach's Certification Clinic, featuring USA Coaches Development Director, Mr. Pat Burris

IJI will hold a coach's certification clinic on December 9, 2006 at the Tohkon Judo Academy, Chicago, Illinois.  The clinic will feature instruction by Mr. Pat Burris from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, followed by First Aid and CPR training and certification from Chief Barry Henby, EMT, Chief Gurnee Fire Department from 1:00 - 4:00 PM.  The clinic registration fee is $20, which will off-set expenses (any remainder to be deposited in the IJI fund account).  Applying for USA Judo Coach Certification will be processed through Mr. Burris; checks written directly to USA Judo: initial USA Judo Coach's certification is $70 and certification renewal is $50.  Invitees include junior brown-belts, aspiring to be coaches, who will be enrolled in the USA Judo Coaches' Developmental Program.  Please see attached flyer.

YAMASHITA VIDEO

This is an in-depth 10 minute video of Yamashita teaching his Tokui waza - Osoto Gari!   Thanks to Dennis Helm for sending this UTUBE video of one of the best Judoka’s this sport has everproduced.  A must download for those interested in seeing absolutely classic Judo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kp5lUDjcds

 

ILLINOIS JUDO INC PROMOTIONS as of 10/28/2006.

Submitted by:  Dennis Helm, IJI Promotion Board Secretary

 

Leon C. Battoste          Sho Dan           South Suburban

Eric R. Haerr                Sho Dan           Chicago Tenri

Gregory Henderson      Sho Dan           Rantoul

Brian Liss                     Sho Dan           Cohen’s

Mick V. Kaminsky       Sho Dan           Cohen’s

Michael DeLaney         Sho Dan           Cohen’s

Rhett B. Sure                Sho Dan           Gurnee

 

Gene Eydleman            NiDan              Kokushikan

Scott G. Goldstine        Ni Dan             Menomonee

Marek Pieprzyk            Ni Dan             Kokushikan

Emil Vinesar                 Ni Dan             Kokushikan

 

Andre L. Campos         San Dan           South Suburban

Brett L. Wolf                San Dan           Menomonee

 

Donald Fowler Jr.         Yo Dan            Cohen’s

Raymond Gussman       Yo Dan            Fox Valley

Rodger L. Tellor           Yo Dan            Basement Dojo

 

Paul Armetta                Roku Dan         Tohkon

Richard Haberkorn       Roku Dan         Tohkon

 

Three Reports from Brett Wolf
5Th Wolf Judo Tournament

The fifth annual Wolf Judo Tournament was held on October 15, 2006. The tournament which took place at the Military Arts Institute 6101 N. Broadway Ave in Chicago drew 120 of the top Jr. judoka from throughout the Midwest.  We had tremendous help from many volunteers and our best turnout of referees yet.  Fifteen of the top local, regional, national and international referees helped add legitimacy to our event. There was excellent judo played throughout the day by judoka of all ages. Choosing recipients for the special awards was a very difficult task. At the end of the day three players distinguished themselves and earned special recognition. Benjamin Branson from Anderson,

 Indiana received the Sensei Tom Watanabe Best Technique Award for his gold medal winning performance in the boys 11-12 advanced middleweight division. For the first time in the tournament's history we chose co-recipients for the Sensei Dick Fukuyama Inspiration Award. Willow Heller ( Cohen's Judo ) went 8-0 for the day winning not only her 9-10 girls advanced division, but also taking home the title in a very tough 9-10 boys advanced division.  Another exceptional young woman was the other recipient, Nefeli Papadakis ( Gurnee Judo Club )also went undefeated winning not only her 7-8 girls division, but a 7-8 year old boys division as well.  This award honors a man not only very important to judo here in the Midwest, but someone who played a major role in my life. Both of these young judoka are worthy of this prestigious award. I want to thank all of the Midwest judo community for helping make this our best tournament yet. See you in May !!!

                              

1st Illinois Judo Jr. Development Workout

On Saturday October 21, 2006 Illinois Judo held their first statewide workout. The event was hosted by the Menomonee Judo Club and was attended by nearly fifty judoka ( including sensei )from throughout the area.  These events will be held monthly and hosted by different dojos. Students ranging in age from four to eighteen participated in spirited randori sessions for over two hours. It's a great opportunity for students to get a chance to workout with top players from other dojos in the area. The variety of sizes, styles and clubs will help get our younger judoka ready for future tournaments. Another goal of the workouts are to get area clubs together and build relationships outside of your own dojo. When we go to national events we not only represent our club, but also Illinois Judo. We can draw strength from building these relationships. The five dollar fee that goes directly to Illinois Judo raised $200 for this event alone. Our next workout will take place on Saturday November 18, 2006 at Yorkville Judo Club. The workout will run from 10am-12pm and there will be a $5 donation to Illinois Judo. If you have any questions or have interest in hosting a future workout, contact Brett Wolf, Director of Jr. Development (773)230-6070

 

2nd Ocean State International Judo Tournament

On Saturday October 28, 2006 the second annual Ocean State Invitational was held in Warwick, Rhode Island.  The event hosted by the Mayo Quanchi Judo Club attracted much of the top judo talent from throughout the east coast. The Menomonee Judo Club was represented by three judoka. All three players are current national champions and did a wonderful job.  

Andrew Varga      1st Intermediate 2 Boys 43kg

Max Bermont        2nd Intermediate 2 Boys  55kg

                                4th Intermediate 2 Boys +55kg

Ben Feiger             3rd Intermediate 2 Boys 38kg

                                3rd Intermediate 2 Boys 43kg

 

USA Judo News
Complete coverage of these articles available at the USA Judo website.  Click on the link http://www.usjudo.org/  and click on the What's New page to see all the recent news items.  The items listed below may or may not be linked already.  To get further information on any of these stories, it is better to go to the USA Judo website.

 

Steve Bell Passes Away

USA Judo is saddened to announce that Steve Bell, head of Antelope Valley Judo, suffered a massive heart attack and died Monday. 

 

The martial arts and judo worlds have lost a great competitor and friend.

 

Through his club, Bell produced many Junior National Champions during the past 15 years.

 

The Celebration of Life party for Antelope Valley Coach Steve Bell who passed away Oct. 23 will be on Sunday Nov. 5 from 1-4 p.m.  Exact address and further details will be provided as they are made available.

Editors Note:  Steve Bell, originally from Canada, immigrated to California to start Antelope Valley Judo Club.  I did not know Steve well but I do know that he was highly respected, a great coach and teacher of Judo.  His video, Xtreme Judo, is a seminal and most influential video for advanced Judo techniques.  A must have for any serious Judoist.  His untimely death IS a tremendous loss not only to Antelope Valley Judo Club and their students but also for all of judo.  Our sympathies to Steve and his personal and extended family. 

 

 

SERVING OUR COUNTRY                         
PVT Luke Jacobsen – Milwaukee, WI                                               
LTJG Donny Newsome, Gurnee, IL                                           
LT Nick Oldfield, Navy, Virginia – home base                            
Mike Preditus, IL                                                                            
SGT Dennis Pruitt, IRAQ                                                             
Dan Smith, Dickson, TN                                                             

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 – 

Babs Miller was bagging some early potatoes for me. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas.

I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the
display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller and the ragged boy next to me.

"Hello Barry, how are you today?"


"H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them  peas. Sure look good."


"They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?"


"Fine Gittin' stronger alla' time."


"Good. Anything I can help you with?"


"No,Sir. Jus'admirin'them peas."


"Would you like to take some home?"


"No, Sir. Got nuthin'to pay for em with."


"Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?"

"All I got's my prize marble here."


"Is that right? Let me see it."


"Here 'tis. She's a dandy."


"I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?"

"Not zackley; but almost."


"Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble."


"Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller."


Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, "There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain
  with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, perhaps
."

I left the stand smiling to myself, impressed with
this man. A short time later I moved to
Colorado but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering.

Several years went by, each more rapid that the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that
Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his viewing that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.

Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts ... all very professional
looking.

They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket.


Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by
one; each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.


Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and mentioned the story she had told me about the marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.


"Those three young men, who just left, were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim "traded" them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt."


"We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world," she confided, "but right now, Jim would  consider himself the richest man in Idaho "


With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.


Moral: We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds.


Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by
the moments that take our breath.

 

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 Taylor 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.

Nov 4 – 5        2nd Annual All Women’s Championships      Kalamazoo, MI          
            Contact Deborah Fergus           DeFrgs6@cs.com              http://www.southsidedojo.com/womens

Nov 12          Gurnee Veteran's Day Judo Tournament            Grayslake, IL        
            Contact         Tim Schultheis  tschulth@warpnet.net   or flyer available www.gurneejudoclub.com

Nov 17         Jimmy Pedro – A Special Judo Seminar Midway Judo Club – West St Paul, MN
         Contact George Trembulak  651-778-3740 or Midway Judo Club at 651-453-0403

Nov 18                   Junior Development Clinic – Open Workout                Yorkville Judo Club             Yorkville, IL
Contact Brett Wolf              azumah4@yahoo.com  
SEE FLYER in attachment – NEW!!

Dec 2               Santa’s Shiai  Fond du Lac, WI
            Contact            Brett Wood-Taylor       welcomemat@charter.net

Dec 9     Illinois Judo Coach's Certification Clinic Tohkon Judo Academy, Chicago, IL  
Contact Tim Schultheis   tschulth@warpnet.net   or (847)244-7847 SEE FLYER in attachment – NEW!!

Dec 9    IJI Meeting Board of Directors Meeting Tohkon Judo Academy – Chicago                          NEW!!
To be held 1 hour before the IJI Coaches Certification Clinic

Dec 26 – 30            Gurnee Judo Holiday Camp featuring Carrie Chandler             Gurnee, IL
Contact                  Tim Schultheis tschulth@warpnet.net  for more information www.gurneejudoclub.com

Dec 30                    Junior Development Clinic – Open Workout                Gurnee Judo Club                Gurnee, IL
Contact Brett Wolf              azumah4@yahoo.com

2007 dates

Jan TBD Junior Development Clinic – Open Workout                Tohkon Judo Academy      Chicago, IL
Contact Brett Wolf              azumah4@yahoo.com

Feb 18    Illinois State Open Judo Championships     Yorkville IL
            Contact   Chuck Clark:  (630)553-5741 clarkmail@sbcglobal.net  OR
                                 Tim Schultheis (847)244-7847

Feb         Sensei Memorial   San Jose, CA        -               Referee Examination Site

Mar 2-4  Midwestern Championships  Illinois                -               Referee Examination Site

Mar 10    New York Open, New York City

Mar 24-26  MS/HS/Collegiate National Championships – Miami, FL

Apr 1-2   Liberty Bell – Philadelphia, PA          -               Referee Examination Site

Apr 7-8   Northglenn – Denver, CO

Apr 20-21  Senior Nationals – Miami, FL

May 29-30  Am-Can Challenge – Buffalo, NY -               Referee Examination Site

Jul 7 – 8  Junior Olympics –

Jul 2007  USJA Junior Nationals – Indianapolis, IN

Jul 14-15 USJF Junior Nationals – Ypsilanti, MI

Aug 4-5  USA Judo Junior Open – Ft Lauderdale, FL?

Sep 2007  Ladder and Fall Classic

Sep/Oct 2007         USA Judo Senior Open

Nov 2007               Continental Crown – Seattle, WA     -               Referee Examination Site

Nov 2007               Dallas Invitational – Dallas, TX         -               Referee Examination Site

LIFE MEMBERSHIPS INFORMATION – USA JUDO
For more information on Life Membership in USA Judo, please contact USA Judo and click on “LIFE MEMBERSHIP”  
Nat’l       Order     Name
030          1             Henry Okamura(deceased)
041          2             Kei Narimatsu
065          3             James Colgan
122          4             Richard Fukuyama(deceased)
125          5             Joanne Barthold(deceased)
139          6             George Stanich
148          7             Mary Gail Ford
161          8             Kevin Narimatsu (CA)
162          9             Scott Narimatsu (CA)
164          10           Byung Chul Cho
167          11           Yung Kim
177          12           Kyu Yoon
181          13           John Bek
189          14           Quentin Thompson
201          15           Michiyuki Sasa
216          16           George Weers
271          17           Susan McConnell
289          18           William Jaconetti
291          19           Jean S Narimatsu
292          20           Susan Narimatsu
324          21           Timothy Tremaine
342          22           Stephen Bergren
349          23           Timothy Canty
355          24           Tim Schultheis
358          25           Bradford Lee (NV)
363          26           Frank Oliveri
364          27           Michael Ogata (FL)
370          28           Jeanette J Narimatsu
371          29           Julie K Narimatsu
374          30           Joe Kajita (CA)
378          31           Eiko Shepherd
381          32           Bill Dunning(deceased)
382          33           Yasko Odagiri
383          34           Wren Odagiri
385          35           Cary Yamanaka (MN)               
387          36           Don Bordeau

There are currently only 36 Life Members in Illinois.  You can start a membership for $75 minimum start payment and $25 per payment thereafter until completed.  You can pay by cash, check or credit card.  For more information, please contact www.usjudo.org  and select “LIFE MEMBERSHIP” Let’s do our share in Illinois.   Thanks.