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ILLINOIS JUDO NEWSLETTER – IPPON!!!

March 26 2008

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 – OPPORTUNITIES

Local News

            Judo Community – Junior Team Opportunities

            Sensei Jim Onchi

USA JUDO NEWS  

            Youth and Scholastic Nationals – this weekend

            Double points
Something to Think About – SWAN LAKE

Upcoming Events

USA Judo Life Members

*************************************************************************************

EDITORIAL – OPPORTUNITIES

There are several Championships that highlight the talent of our top junior athletes.  Four of them qualify as Junior Point Tournaments for qualification to the Junior World Trials to be held in August in Spokane Washington:  Junior Olympics (Orlando FL – July 25-27), Junior Open (Miami FL – July 12-13), Youth and Scholastic Nationals Championships (Menomonee WI – March 28-30) and Ocean State Judo Championships (Warwick RI – March 1-2).  Winning the Junior World Trials will qualify those individuals for the Junior World Championships and will be high on the consideration list for the Youth Olympic Games scheduled for 2010 in Singapore (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Youth_Olympic_Games).  There will probably be a trials for this event as well.  The key issue is that athletes must gain junior points to qualify for the Trials and these four events will be the only qualifiers. 

 

As players, as coaches and as referees, each event, each match becomes critical.  Missing an event or losing a match could mean the difference between an invitation to the trials or staying home.  We must all dedicate ourselves to give our young athletes every opportunity to succeed by recognizing key traits. 

 

On Players

Players train long and hard and focus to be top level elite athletes – they are on the road to the Olympics Games.  Not everyone will make it.  As a matter of act, not more than 28 to 32 might make the team (7 or 8 men’s and women’s division and alternates).  Players, you are the one on the mat, no one else.  Your success depends in large part on you alone.  Your desire, not your parents.  Your will-power, not your coach.  Your responsibility for your actions, not the referees. 

 

On Coaches

Coaches are influential and must instill confidence in their players by excellence in training, teaching, knowing opponent weakness’, knowing latest techniques, studying video tapes, knowing athletes limits on endurance, capabilities, psychology, physiology, commitment.  Do teach that winning with humility and losing with grace is an important life lesson.  What is the effect on a child’s psyche if we focus merely on winning at all costs?  This IS part of the art of coaching.  It is not easy nor is it always rewarding.  But in the end, if just one of your athletes becomes a better person, whether they win the gold medal or not, maybe it was all worth it. 

 

On Referees

You have to know the rules, you have to be focused, and you have to concentrate on the match.  You must study and you must practice.  Being an armchair referee is not going to improve your skills.  You have to have the dedication to become better with every match, every event.  There is a difference between a referee who has 20 years of experience and one who has been refereeing 20 years.  Which one are you? 

 

On Parents

Of course YOU are the life blood of any young athlete.  Without your constant love and support, your player could not, would not practice or compete.  You, more than anyone else will set the standard for character and sacrifice.  If you teach good values, you child will exhibit this in their competition.  If you teach hard work, they will have a better chance of success.  But do not live your life through your children.  Teach that in life, as in competition, there will be successes and failures.   The important thing is to learn from this and become a better person for it. 

 

On Support Organizations

We should all be aware that support organizations are only as good at the adults running them.  Clubs, State and National organizations should work in tandem with each other to bring the best out of our athletes.  But often, we are at war.  Everyone thinks their way is the best way.  But the losers in all of this are our athletes.  They deserve better.  Training camps, local shiais, shared practices, multi-teaching and coaching regardless of affiliation will make one better.  Bringing better players to your practice to help train and teach will make your students better.  Expand your horizon beyond the safety of your dojo.  Reach out and make the effort to embrace all Judoka.  This time, practice the principles of Judo, not just the physics of Judo. 

 

Finally, Juniors have a unique opportunity to be a part of the world stage.  The Youth Olympic Games will be exciting and a NEW event for 14 – 18 year olds.  The format will be similar to the Olympic Games this summer in Beijing.  The winners of the Youth Olympics will no doubt be a factor in the next quadrennial (2012) as well as in 2016.  Some of the youth from the United States will be in the hunt.  We as adults must make this dream possible by giving them every opportunity to succeed.  Are you up to this task? 


LOCAL NEWS

Dear Judo Community,

 

I am writing in regards to a wonderful opportunity for a group of our top Junior Judoka this summer.  As you know Chicago Judo Black Belt Association (CJBBA) will be hosting the USJF Junior Nationals (July 4-6).  One interesting aspect of the event will be the team shiai held on Sunday July 6th.  I see our Yudanshakai as one of the strongest in the country.  I know we can compete on more than even terms with California, Hawaii and Florida.  I’ll be taking a close look in the upcoming months at all of our elite players.  Attached to the email is the information and entry packet for the team shiai.  This includes the ages and weight parameters for the five player boy and girl teams.

 

There is one major stipulation for eligibility requirements – any player interested in being considered to compete for the CJBBA team must be a registered member of the USJF by no later than March 31, 2008.    If your player or child already has a USA Judo primary membership, they can obtain secondary membership to USJF for $25.  A copy of the membership application can be printed at the USJF website.  If you have any questions please email or call me directly (azumah4@yahoo.com, 773-230-6070)

 

Thanks,

Brett Wolf

 

Sensei Jim Onchi – Portland OR
Thank you for the thoughtful message of prayers for our father.
 
My dad will have his last operation tomorrow morning to close up the incision that the surgeon made last Thursday, (Actually early Friday morning), in order to release all the pressure from the internal bleeding after he fell earlier that day. Tomorrow morning, if all goes well, he will be released on Wednesday, (032608), which is his 90th birthday. Jim will then have to stay at a rehab location in
Portland until he is able to walk normally again. If they decide not to close up the incision he will have to stay a few more days, probably until Friday or Saturday.

Jim was so determined to walk right out the ER room last Thursday night that the nurse threatened to tie him down. He was standing up next to the gurney and actually trying to walk out of there. After his fall in the afternoon he apparently didn't tell anyone and just had to go to the Dojo that evening and after that he took my mother to Koji's Restaurant. (He had rapped his leg up with an ace bandage and was using my moms cane.) Once I learned from Dick Brenneke that my dad had showed up at the club, had fallen and was not looking too good, my older brother, Gary, called him and convinced him to stay at the restaurant until I could get there and drive him to the ER at the Portland Providence Hospital. Luckily they determined that he needed immediate surgery, otherwise he could have lost his left leg and even his life.

So, we thank God that he is okay, and the immediate danger has passed. He is a pretty determined man and I know that the Judo world will draw him back to the club, which will be a good thing.

Again, thank you for your thoughtful prayers for my dad,

Sincerely,
Dwight Onchi
      
Many of you know of Sensei Jim Onchi.  His club is Obukan Judo Club of Portland OR, one of the oldest clubs in the US.  Keep him in your thoughts.  Thank you.  KN

USA JUDO NEWS

Complete coverage of these articles are available at the USA Judo website at http://www.usjudo.org/.  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. 

 

Overflow Hotel Rooms and Walkup Registration Still Available for Youth and Scholastic Nationals This Weekend
Double Points For Juniors on the Line in Wisconsin!
Just a reminder to those who have not yet registered for the Youth and Scholastic National Championships, you will still be able to register at the event. 

The tournament will be held March 29-30 at the University of Wisconsin - Stout in Menomonie.

While the host hotels have already filled, additional hotel properties where the USA Judo rate is available are listed below:
The Comfort Inn Menomonie: $99.00 plus occupancy taxes for all room types        Tel: 715.233.1500
The Menomonie Super 8 Motel: $79.99 plus occupancy taxes for all room types    Tel: 715.832.0027
The Sleep Inn & Suites: $109.99 plus occupancy taxes for all room types                 Tel: 715.874.2900
The Country Inn & Suites: $115.00 plus occupancy taxes for all room types            Tel: 715.235.5664

The Youth and Scholastic National Championships will be held March 29-30 at the University of Wisconsin, Stout Campus. The University of Wisconsin, Stout Campus is approximately 10-15 minutes from the hotel.

A shuttle to the competition venue will be provided on the days of competition, and will stop at all the hotels listed.

Don't miss out on your chance to become an Academic All-American or a High School All-American!  High School All American Certificates will be given to ALL 1st place winners. Academic All-American certificates will be awarded to all entrants with a 3.0 cumulative grade point average or higher.  Details can be found in the entry packet.

Just a reminder, athletes competing in the junior divisions at the USA Judo Youth and Scholastic National Championships will have the opportunity to earn up to 10 points for a gold medal win on the Intermediate, Junior and IJF-Junior rosters.  

Athletes who place second will earn six points and third place players will earn four points. 

Since this is one of only four junior point tournaments in the United States, results at the Scholastics will be especially important as the top four athletes on the IJF-Junior roster as of July 27 will be invited to compete at the Junior World Trials in Spokane, Wash. on August 30.  Players in younger divisions also will earn points toward qualification for the 2008 Pan American Infantile Championships and 2009 Pan Am Junior Championships.

For more information about the USA Judo Youth and Scholastic National Championships, please contact Sherrie Phillips, USA Judo Manager of Event Administration, at sportsconsult@aol.com.

To register, please print off the entry packet, which can be found by clicking here.

 

Earn Double Junior Elite Points at USA Judo Youth and Scholastic National Championships Next Week in Wisconsin

Walk-Up Registrations Accepted Next Week!

Just a reminder, athletes competing in the junior divisions at the USA Judo Youth and Scholastic National Championships, March 29-30 in Menomonie, Wis. will have the opportunity to earn up to 10 points for a gold medal win on the Intermediate, Junior and IJF-Junior rosters.  Athletes who place second will earn six points and third place players will earn four points. 
Since this is one of only four junior point tournaments in the United States, results at the Scholastics will be especially important as the top four athletes on the IJF-Junior roster as of July 27 will be invited to compete at the Junior World Trials in Spokane, Wash. on August 30.  Players in younger divisions also will earn points toward qualification for the 2008 Pan American Infantile Championships and 2009 Pan Am Junior Championships.
Walk-up registration will be accepted next week.  For more information, Click Here.

 

Something to Think About – SWAN LAKE
ENJOY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOqxSaW05p4

Swan Lake – Chinese style

 UPCOMING EVENTS - 2008
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.

2008 dates


Mar 27 – 29   Senior Training Camp – Chicago, IL
                     Contact   Doug Tono 773 784-7766 or e-mail to dtjudo@tohkon.com

Mar 29-30     USA JUDO Youth and Scholastic Championships     Menomonee WI – Chippewa Valley
                    Contact           Sherrie Phillips  1-719-491-9682         
                                          Entry Form:  http://www.usjudo.org/documents/2008ScholasticEntryForm.pdf

Apr 5 – 6         21st Liberty Bell Judo Classic  Philadelphia PA
                     Contact   Lou Moyermann          Home (215) 698-1289 Email LMoyerman@aol.com
                     National Referee Test Site

Apr 26           Welcome Mat Open Fond du Lac WI

                     Contact   Brett Wood-Taylor welcomemat@charter.net  Information available www.judofdl.com

 

May 3           24th Annual N-S Open Judo Tournament     Glen Carbon IL

                    Contact           Quentin Thompson       618-476-1976 H         qthom2@juno.com

                                                Eiko Shepherd              618-781-5157 Cell      eikojudo@apci.net

 

Jun 21              1st Annual Northcoast Championships          Lorain OH        NEW!!

                        Contact            Paul Jordan      judojordan@yahoo.com

                                                Lorretta Edwards         judolorey@aol.com


Jun 23 – 29   Elite Summer Training Camp – Warwick RI
                    Contact    Serge Bouyssou           judocoach@cox.net 1-401-647-4678

 

Jun 27 – 29      USJA Junior Nationals Judo Championships    Boston MA

                     Contact          Jimmy Pedro

                        http://www.pedrosmartialarts.com/JA08/home.htm

 

Jun 27 – Jul 3 Elite Summer Training Camp – Warwick RI
                     Contact   Serge Bouyssou           judocoach@cox.net 1-401-647-4678

 

Jul 4 - 6         USJF Junior National Judo Championships Tinley Park, IL

Contact            Doug Tono       info@tohkon.com   1-773-784-7766

                                                Robert Fukuka  ed@usjf.com

                       

Jul 18 – 20     2008 Junior US Open Judo Championships – Ft Lauderdale FL

                     Contact   Gerry Navarro  gerrynavarro@aol.com

                     The complete entry package can be obtained at:  http://judonationals.net/

 

Jul 25 - 27     2008 Junior USA Judo Junior Olympics Judo Championships – Orlando FL

                    Contact    Sherrie Phillips


Nov 6 - 8      4th All Women’s Championship    Kalamazoo, MI

                    Contact:  Deborah Fergus email:  defrgs6@cs.com        www.southsidedojo.com

 

Nov 8           Gurnee Veterans' Day Judo Tournament    Lindenhurst, IL
                    Contact:  Tim Schultheis (847)244-7847           Email: tschulth@warpnet.net     www.gurneejudoclub.com

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.