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ILLINOIS JUDO NEWSLETTER – IPPON!!!
May 8, 2008
President:
Tim Schultheis
VP:
Chuck Clark
Secretary:
Mary Gail Ford
Treasurer:
Frank Oliveri
Editor:
Kei Narimatsu
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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
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Contents:
EDITORIAL
– CUBA
Mark Hirota and Julia Van Helder
passes B and C exams in Cuba
Local News
Junior Training schedule
announced
USA
JUDO NEWS
Pan American Judo Championships Webcast live from
Miami
Cuban team arrives of PJU Championships
22 Nations scheduled to compete in Pan-Ams – Olympic
Qualifier
British Open results
USA Judo Announces Qualifiers for 2008 U.S.
Olympic Team Trials for Judo, June 13-14 in Las Vegas
2008 Junior Olympics accounces International
competition on day three
Something
to Think About – Doing the right thing – FAST EDDIE
and O’Hare Airport
Upcoming
Events
USA Judo
Life Members
*************************************************************************************
EDITORIAL – CUBA
I am not completely sure that anyone in the
United State appreciates the fact that the Cuban National team is currently in
Miami for the PJU Championships. It is really an historic event and one
that should not go unnoticed or unrewarded.
Prior to 1959, Cuba was the sun – fun Caribbean
country that people from all over the world came to as THE vacation spot,
including many Americans. But in 1959, Fidel Castro took over and
embraced it as the Pan-American Soviet Union. A sore spot of US foreign
policy for sure, Castro was a dictator in the finest tradition of communism and
merciless in his control of his people. Of course Bay of Pigs in 1962 did
not endear Mr Castro to anything American and it was
during this time that the US came as close as it ever has to a true nuclear
war. For the next 30 years, Cuba became isolated and a pariah to
democratic thinking. During this time, all aid and comfort came from the
Soviet Union. A true cold war that existed between the US and the USSR
was also extended to Cuba as well. Sitting a mere 90 miles from our
shores, it was more than an embarrassment to US foreign policy.
In those intervening years, many Cubans tried and
succeeded in arriving by boat to Miami shores and freedom. They were
given political asylum status and Miami became the Cuba of the United
States. Many became successful businessmen and pillars of society.
Spanish became the “national” language of Miami and some of the finest Cuban
eateries can still be found within the South Florida area. Of course the
US placed barriers to this immigration and some embarrassing moments did
occur. Remember the Elian Gonzales situation?
A US women’s team went to Cuba in the early 90’s
and I accompanied the team as the designated referee. We flew into Havanna by charter because no US carrier could fly into
Havana. We then traveled by bus to Santiago de Cuba, on the southern
coast of the island country. The accommodations were spartan
at best, the food was adequate. The beaches were spectacular. The
people were wonderful. You see, at that time, Cuba was still one of the
poorest nations in the hemisphere and perhaps the world and the communist
government continued to have a strangle hold on everyone.
What made the difference – the only difference
was the people. They were kind, generous, and laughed easily.
Everyone made a sincere effort to treat all of their guests with hospitality
that belies the conditions that the locals were used to. We stayed at a
hotel that was considered 5 star. It was clean
but lacked simple amenities like TV’s, plush beds and in some cases toilet
seats. I think I was even told to bring my own toilet paper. I did
and was glad for it. The food served was plentiful, much more that what
an average Cuban would even consider for their own
table. There was beef, pork, mussels, and shrimp. All of these
niceties were provided for the foreigners but we knew that these were special
just for us and that the average Cuban citizen could not afford any of this –
ever. We were allowed to go to a tourist shop in the city where
everything was regulated by the government. You could get Cuban cigars
and liquor but it was very pricy. Only Western currency was allowed at
these shops, US dollars were gold. Yes, some Americans I am sure even
purchased contraband cigars and got them past customs.
The tournament was an international women’s event
and the competition level was very high. Besides the US, most were
Pan-American countries represented but there were a number of Asian and
European countries participating including a Korean and Swedish team that I
remember. I was the only foreign referee and I received the “best”
referee award. Of course, as the only non-Cuban referee in the entire
event, I am sure it was just a courtesy – maybe? J. The competition was intense nevertheless
and the Cuban women, then as now, were some of the best in the world.
They dominated the event and most of the competitors were fighting to see
who would place 2nd or 3rd.
The Cuban delegation, both men and women, used to
come to Colorado Springs for the US International Championships but have not in
awhile. This is the first time a Cuban delegation has entered the US for
a Judo competition in years. With Raul Castro taking over the reigns from his brother, I hope it is a new era of
“glasnost” between the United States and Cuba. The key to Judo
competition is simple. The road to World Championship and Olympic medals
is through the toughest athletes in the world – the CUBAN men and especially
women cannot be counted out and being denied access to this competition in the
United States or anywhere is just wrong. Athletics should transcend
politics. Athletes are not politicians. They fight and compete on
the field of play, not the halls of government. That is where the best
and finest should complete, that is where we should embrace them. So
welcome, our fellow CUBAN brothers and sister. Good luck and I know that
we treat you as well as we were treated so long ago in Santiago. Safe
travel and enjoy Miami – enjoy the United States of America.
Recently, Mark Hirota
(OR) and Julia Van Helder (AZ) traveled to Cuba for
the Copa
XXIII José R. Rodríguez (M) and the XVII Jodoguis Dorados (F). They each passed their
respective Continental B and PJU Regional C examinations. Congratulations
to both on
this achievement.
LOCAL NEWS
See Junior
training schedule for CJBBA for this summer's USJF Jr
Nationals.
Take Care, Brett
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.
Pan American Judo
Championships to be Webcast LIVE from Miami
For the first time ever,
the Pan American Championships will be Webcast LIVE on www.usjudo.org
free of charge to judo fans around the world May 8-11.
The Webcast will be
shown as a service to USA Judo members and fans around the world with the
authority granted to the PJU by USA Judo.
The tournament begins
LIVE at 10 a.m. (EDT) on Thursday. Competition will begin at 10 a.m.
Thursday with one tatami being streamed live onto
your computer throughout the preliminary competition. Finals will begin
at 6 p.m. on Thursday and will be commentated by Olympians Leo White and
Rhadi Ferguson.
Friday's senior
divisions will begin with preliminaries at 10 a.m. and finals at 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday's
competition schedule is as follows with one mat of live coverage:
Saturday
Kata: 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Team Competition: 3 p.m.
Sunday
Olympic Zone Cup: 10
a.m.
Be sure to tune is as
athletes from throughout North and South America fight
to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games!
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Twenty-Two Nations Scheduled to Compete at Pan Ams, Final Olympic Qualifier in Miami This Week
(Miami, Fla.) – As delegations began
arriving at the 2008 Pan American Championships on Tuesday, anticipation was in
the air as at least 22 countries have registered to compete in the final
qualifying tournament for the 2008 Olympic Games.
The Pan Am Championships and Olympic
Zone Cup will be held May 8-11 at the James L. Knight Center, 400 SE Second
Ave., Miami, FL 33131.
Among the more than 200 athletes
expected to compete are the following past Pan American Champions:
· Maria
Velazquez (VEN / 44kg), 2007 Pan Am Champion
· Yanet Bermoy (CUB /
48kg), 2005 World Champion and 2007 World silver medalist
· Valerie Gotay (Harlingen, Texas / USA Judo National Training Site
at Harlingen / 57kg), two-time Pan Am Champion… more>
Cuban Delegation Arrives in Miami on Monday for 2008 Pan
American Championships
(Colorado Springs, Colo.) –
Twenty-two members of the Cuban delegation will be arriving at the Miami
International Airport at 2:30 p.m. via Panama on Monday May 5 to participate in
the Pan American Championships and Olympic Zone Cup, May 8-11.
The team includes four current or
former World Champions, will be competing in the event which is the final
qualifier for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
“These Pan American Judo Championships will be one of the
most important international events ever held in our country due to the
presence of world powers Cuba and Brazil plus great judokas from Venezuela,
Ecuador, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Canada, Mexico and, of course, our
own USA athletes,” said USA Judo CEO Jose H. Rodriguez … more>
(Colorado Springs, Colo.) – After
winning a silver medal at the 2007 British Open, Michael Eldred (Fruitland,
Idaho / Western Idaho Judo Institute) failed to advance out of the first
round on Saturday at the B-Level tournament in London… more>
USA Judo Announces Qualifiers for 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Judo, June
13-14 in Las Vegas
(Colorado Springs, Colo.) - USA Judo
is pleased to announce the top eight athletes in each of 14 Olympic weight
divisions who are eligible to compete in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Judo,
June 13-14 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nev.
This year's event will be held for
the first time simultaneously with the Trials for USA Wrestling and is expected
to be one of the most exciting sporting events in the United States as athletes
fight to win one of as many as 14 weight divisions in judo and 18 Olympic
wrestling weight classes in the three Olympic styles (men's freestyle, men's
Greco-Roman, women's freestyle).
Tickets are still available
... more>
2008 Junior Olympics International
The Magic of Disney
Meets Judo at the 2008 Junior Olympics
USA Judo is proud to announce that
the 2008 National Junior Olympic Championships to be held July 25-27 at Walt
Disney World® Resort will feature an international division.
The third day of competition will be
open to competitors from both the United States as well
as other nations in the Intermediate 2, Juvenile A, Juvenile B and IJF-Junior
divisions which include athletes born between 1989 and 1997... more>
Something to Think About
–
A Story I always tell
about Chicago. Gail Stolzenburg sent this to
me. Great true story.
Two Stories of Doing The Right Thing
===================================
Story Number One:
Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago.
Capone wasn't famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing
the windy city in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder.
Capone had a lawyer nicknamed "Easy Eddie." He was his lawyer
for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie's skill at
legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of Jail for a long time. To show his
appreciation, Capone paid him very well.
Not only was the money big, but Eddie got special dividends. For instance, he
and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the
conveniences of the day.
The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago City block.
Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to
the atrocity that went on around him.
Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly.
Eddie saw to it that his young son had the best of everything: clothes, cars
and a good education. Nothing was withheld. Price was no object.
And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach
him right from wrong. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than he
was. Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he
couldn't give his son; that he couldn't pass on a good name and a good example.
One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision.
Easy Eddie Wanted to rectify wrongs he had done. He decided he would go
to the authorities and tell the truth about Al "Scarface" Capone,
clean up his tarnished name and offer his son some semblance of integrity.
To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. So, he testified.
Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely
Chicago Street. But in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift
he had to offer, at the greatest price he would ever pay.
Story Number Two:
World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander
Butch O'Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier
Lexington in the South Pacific.
One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne,
he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off
his fuel tank. He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and
get back to his ship. His flight leader told him to return to the carrier.
Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet. As
he was returning to the mother ship he saw something that turned his blood
cold.
A squadron of Japanese aircraft was speeding their way toward the American
fleet. The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all
but defenseless. He couldn't reach his squadron and bring them back in
time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching
danger.
There was only one thing to do.
He must somehow divert them from the fleet.
Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of
Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber's blazed as he charged in,
attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another.
Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes
as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent. Undaunted, he continued
the assault. He dived at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in
hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible and rendering them unfit to
fly.
Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction.
Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the
carrier. Upon arrival he reported in and related the event surrounding
his return.
The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the
extent of Butch's daring attempt to protect his
fleet. He had in fact destroyed five enemy aircraft.
This took place on February 20, 1942, and for that action Butch became the
Navy's first Ace of W.W.II, and the first Naval Aviator to win the
Congressional Medal of Honor.
A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29.
His home town would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today,
O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man.
So the next time you find yourself at O'Hare International, give some thought
to visiting Butch's memorial displaying his statue
and his Medal of Honor. It's located between Terminals 1 and 2.
SO WHAT DO THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER?
Butch O'Hare was Easy Eddie's son.
ANOTHER BIT OF
TRIVIA: DO YOU KNOW WHY O’HARE AIRPORT’S AIRPORT DESIGNATION IS
ORD?
See answer below:
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
May
10 CJBBA
Junior Training – Yorkville IL
Yorkville Judo Club 205 Beaver Street, Yorkville, IL
Contact Brett Wolf
(773) 230-6070
May
17 7th
Annual Wolf Junior Tournament
Chicago, IL
Contact Brett Wolf (773) 230-6070
Yarina Birnbaum
773-348-8641/ philya@ameritech.net
/Fax:773-442-1550)
www.menomoneeclub.org
May
17 KONAN
Jr Workout
Detroit MI (Shojin Dojo)
Contact Jim Murray 1-616-293-1568
May 23 – 25 AM-CAN
International Judo Challenge Amhurst NY NEW!!
Contact Mel Ginter 1-716-693-6008 www.amcanjudo.org
May
31 CJBBA
Junior Training – Chicago IL
Tohkon Judo Academy 4427 N Clark Street, Chicago IL
Contact Brett Wolf (773) 230-6070
Jun
7 Tohkon Classic XIII Chicago IL
Contact
Doug Tono info@tohkon.com 1-773-784-7766
June
14 CJBBA
Junior Training – Chicago IL
Tohkon Judo Academy 4427 N Clark Street, Chicago IL
Contact Brett Wolf (773) 230-6070
June 14 KONAN
Jr Workout
Kalamazoo MI (Southside Dojo)
Contact Jim Murray 1-616-293-1568
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 Chicago,
IL
SEE FLYER
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 tel. 719.491.9682 fax
719.487.0989 sportsconsult@aol.com
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.
OHARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS KNOWN AS ORD for
Orchard Field
A Place For Heroes
Lieutenant Edward O'Hare was a navy flyer who
gave his life when he was just 29 years old. Today his name is still a byword
in aviation. His monument is the world's busiest airport in his home town of
Chicago - O'Hare International.
It is appropriate that it should be named after
a military hero who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1942.
Military men shaped it during World War 2. The largest US troop and cargo
carrying airplane, the Douglas C-54, was built at a factory on the site and the
base, known then as Orchard Field, was almost entirely used by the military.
When the war ended Chicago quickly established
itself as the world's busiest civil aviation operation, but it was the city's
Municipal Airport, later to become Midway, which held the title. A far-sighted
City Council saw the potential for air travel and decided a second major
facility would be needed. They bought Orchard Field from the US government
together with another 7,000 acres next door. That was in 1946. Three years
later $2.4 million was spent on acquiring more land and Orchard Field was
re-named O'Hare in honor of that young war hero.
The airport was already busy before it was
officially opened to domestic commercial flights in 1955, but Midway was still
the star attraction. In its busiest year, 1959, Midway handled ten million
passengers compared to the fledgling O'Hare's two million. It was a testing
time but for the newcomer change was to be rapid.
Like so much in Chicago the legendary Mayor
Daley played a part. When more money was needed for expansion he refused to
take it out of the pockets of local taxpayers. Instead a powerful financial
group was put together and raised a spectacular $155 million selling revenue
bonds.
The expansion went on and by 1962 all scheduled
operations had been transferred from Midway to O'Hare. The rest, as they say,
is history. When the airport was officially dedicated the following year
President John F. Kennedy said "it could be classed as one of the wonders
of the modern world". He was right in one sense because O'Hare preserved
its title as 'World's Busiest' for over 30 years until it was overtaken by
Atlanta in 1998.
There is still one reminder of that distant past
when young men who fought America's battles in the skies knew it as Orchard
Field. O'Hare's airport code used on tickets and baggage tags is ORD. A sense
of history still has a place among all Chicago's achievements.