Return to Tenri Judo

ILLINOIS JUDO NEWSLETTER – IPPON!!!

October 9, 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 – NEW RULES

Local News

USA JUDO NEWS -  DO YOU NEED THIS ANY MORE?  

Upcoming Events

USA Judo Life Members

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

EDITORIAL – NEW RULES

Well here it is.  The latest and greatest. “Changes” in the rules.  It is even being disseminated ahead of the Junior World Championships to be held in Bangkok Thailand later this month.  Actually, this is a first because the dissemination of information has generally been slow and well after any shiai in which the rules were applied.  But be thankful that they are here. 

But we must be cautious in this.  Here are some of my thoughts: 

1. The Junior World’s will serve as a test event for these “new” rules.  Simply put, they are going to see how the rules are applied at a major championship and if any modification have to be made, a new set of interpretations may come out later in the year or early in 2009.

2. The reason why rules are dangerous in the hands of the general public is exactly what makes it difficult to apply them universally, same way, across the world.  Beginning TODAY, when these NEW rules were disseminated to the world, everyone, and I mean everyone, will have an opinion.  Some of those opinions will be in error.

3. As referees we need to be careful about how these “new” rules are applied.  We need to understand the philosophy and the reasoning behind these modifications.  New interpretations are not made in a back room by the 6 IJF Referee Directors and then in an epiphany of revelations, invoke these rules on the Judo world.  Much thought goes into each decision.  A lot of arguments are fought over the slightest of word-smithing.  Even word order might come into play because of the ways everything may be interpreted or mis-intrerpreted in the different languages of the world.  The process is in the details and the ramifications that it has upon the sport of Judo. 

4. This is the right time to make modifications to the rules, right after the Olympic Games.  The judo community will have four years to adjust to the modifications before the next Olympics.  That is the schedule.  You might/will see continued modifications of the rules for about two years.  In 2010, the interpretations will pretty much be lock in for the 2012 Olympics.  One might see refinements after this, but nothing major at least we hope not. 

5. As you read the rules, it is important to interpret them correctly.  The International Referees, especially those who have traveled extensively and recently might be the best to explain the philosophy of the new interpretation.  But even this does not always come out right for the correct interpretation.  Remember it is not what is said that is important, IT IS WHAT IS HEARD. 

6. Because of language, the understanding from both the teacher as well as the listener might be suspect.  Hearing it for the first time, some of the interpretations might not sink in fully.  Partial understanding might even be worse that wrong understandings.  Remember, these rules will be expressed in many different languages throughout the world.  Remember the old circle exercise where 12 people sit around and whisper the same message each to the next.  What generally is said to the 1^st person (from the 12^th) is not what was said to the 2^nd (from the 1^st).  You get the idea.  Well these interpretations are going around the world and being passed to many different people, and each will have their own take in what was heard. 

7. SO how does one take these interpretations and know that they are being applied correctly. 

a. The international referees generally have the best interpretation of the rules, especially if they have recently come back from a tournament or referee seminar where the EJU director or the IJF director was speaking.  In most cases, these are pretty good interpretations.

b. If you hear conflicting interpretations from the A’s, do not argue the point.  You might be in error.  I might question them, but it is counter-productive to say the person does not know what they are talking about. 

c. Better to do some of your own critical thinking.  It is like trying to practice a throw.  The first time you try it, it may not work, but as you practice it more and more, you become more comfortable with the throw and you are able to apply it in competition seamlessly.  The same can be said for rules interpretations.  The more you practice it, it becomes second nature to apply it to a competition and you become better at it.  Likewise if you verbalize these interpretations in teaching it to your students, you will also understand it better and be able to apply it better as a referee, as a coach or as a teacher.  As a student or competitor, the more you hear it, the more in becomes ingrained in how you practice and compete.  The rules, like uchi-komi, must be practiced. 

d. Lastly, I suggest that if you start to hear the same thing from different presenters, this is a good sign and that maybe the information that you heard originally presented is correct. 

8. Players and coaches, starting tomorrow, will try to figure out ways to make the rules be beneficial to them, to get the win, bend the rules within the legal limits.  This is fair and is part of human nature.  Everyone does it.  What is not intended and should never be done is to teach how to push the rules beyond the gray area – onto the dark side.  Always stay on the light side.   As a teacher, this is the only thing you should be teaching your students. 

Rule of Thumb:  RULES do not change, interpretations do.  But please do not interpret what the rules are not.  Rules are to keep the playing field level, to prevent an unfair advantage of one over another.  And while there have been rules changes, the basic rules have not.  The object of the game STILL is to throw your opponent, with control onto his/her back with speed and force, to pin a person to the mat for 20 seconds, to make a person submit (give up) on a shime or kansetsu waza technique.  Pretty simple but it does take a lot of practice to become a good referee.  Just remember though, it take a lot of practice to become a good competitor.  It takes more practice to great referee.  And it takes dedication

In the next edition of the newsletter, I am going to give my analysis of what the rules mean and how they might impact you as a coach, player as well as a referee.  I and other international and continental referees will be tasked with teaching you the new interpretations in clinics and tournaments for the balance of this year and well into next.  When our representative to the Junior WC come back, they will give us some insight into how the IJF is interpreting the rules.  In the meantime, we should try to apply these new rules in upcoming tournaments, keep an open mind about them and make sure our athletes understand how this will impact the way they compete. 

EDITORIAL RANT

I do not think I will be posting the information I get from USA Judo any more.  There are several reasons:

• It seems to be getting redundant.  Most of you get the information already directly from the national office. 
• Most you do not care what happens at the national level.  You are only concerned with what happens in the state where you live.  – Rightly so.
• It is a lot of trouble (time-consuming) even cutting and pasting the articles from USA Judo. 
• If there is something very pressing, I will put it in, but on case by case basis. 
• It is difficult to determine what is important and not important to you, the reader. 
• If you want to keep up with what is happening on the national level please go directly to the USA Judo website or the E-PPON site from Ed Liddie and peruse at your leisure.  By the way, I guess copying is the best form of flattery.  I came up with IPPON!! years ago.  Lo and behold, USA Judo comes up with their own version as E-PPON.  That is OK, there is no copy write, there is no license or trademark issues here.  It OK, EL is my friend.  J
• The newsletter is getting to be very time consuming by itself.  Writing an editorial does take time.  Over the years, I have received maybe one or two original articles from folks – usually, these are obituaries.  If I do get an article to be added, it is usually a re-print from someone else. 
• I will continue to put in this newsletter, content of a local nature.  So if you have an article on a dojo, what you did at nationals, what I did at summer camp, your latest baby, I may insert it, especially if I did not have to write it.  Please be careful however, your name WILL go in to the byline otherwise it will not be published.  I find it offensive for people to write or complain and not stand behind what they write.  I am sure this is why I do not get cub reporters sending me anything every week. 
• The newsletters have been an invention of my own mind.  I write what I want with pretty much no restrictions placed on me except that of common sense, decency, truth and the American Way.  Then again, you get what you pay for.  Since I do not get paid to do any of this, I do not feel I have to send this out on any regular basis. I do feel I have to give you original content in the EDITORIAL section only.  So ladies and gentlemen, boy and girls, if you only read that section, I will be happy. 
• And with that, I sign off until my next rank. 

LOCAL NEWS

Support your local events:
10//18  Badger Open – Fond du Lac, WI
10/18   SanSedai Dojo Judo tournament, Madison WI
11/1     Annual Land of Lakes Open – St Paul, MN
11/6-8  4^th All Women’s Championships Kalamazoo, MI
11/8     Gurnee Veteran’s Day Tournament – Gurnee, IL
12/6     Santa’s Shiai – Fond du Lac, WI
Jan 08 Wahadachi Judo Tournament – Milwaukee, WI

Some workout –
Gurnee – Nov 1^st

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.

I do not think I will be posting the information I get from USA Judo any more.  There are several reasons:

• It seems to be getting redundant.  Most of you get the information already directly from the national office. 
• Most you do not care what happens at the national level.  You are only concerned with what happens in the state where you live.  – Rightly so.
• It is a lot of trouble (time-consuming) even cutting and pasting the articles from USA Judo. 
• If there is something very pressing, I will put it in, but on case by case basis. 
• It is difficult to determine what is important and not important to you, the reader. 
• If you want to keep up with what is happening on the national level please go directly to the USA Judo website or the E-PPON site from Ed Liddie and peruse at your leisure.  By the way, I guess copying is the best form of flattery.  I came up with IPPON!! years ago.  Lo and behold, USA Judo comes up with their own version as E-PPON.  That is OK, there is no copy write, there is no license or trademark issues here.  It OK, EL is my friend.  J
• The newsletter is getting to be very time consuming by itself.  Writing an editorial does take time.  Over the years, I have received maybe one or two original articles from folks – sometimes, these are obituaries.  If I do get an article to be added, it is usually a re-print from someone else. 
• The newsletters have been an invention of my own mind.  I write what I want with pretty much no restrictions placed on me except that of common sense, decency, truth and the American Way.  Then again, you get what you pay for.  Since I do not get paid to do any of this, I do not feel I have to give regular content.  I do feel I have to give you original content in the EDITORIAL section only.  So ladies and gentlemen, boy and girls, if you only read that section, I will be happy. 
• And with that, I sign off until my next rank. 

Something to Think About – SHAY DAY

Two  Choices

What would you do?..you make the choice. Don't look for a punch line, there isn't one. Read it anyway. My question is: Would you have made the same choice?

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:

'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection.

Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do.  He cannot understand things as other children do.

Where is the natural order of things in my son?'

The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'

Then he told the following story:

Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart.  The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.

In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again.

Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.

At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?

Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat.  Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact.

The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.

The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay.

As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.

The game would now be over.

The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman.

Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates.

Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first!

Run to first!'

Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base.

He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.

Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!'

Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base.

By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball, the smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.

He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head.

Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third!

Shay, run to third!'

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!'

Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team

'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

AND NOW A LITTLE FOOT NOTE TO THIS STORY:

We all send thousands of jokes through the e-mail without a second thought, but when it comes to sending messages about life choices, people hesitate.

The crude, vulgar, and often obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion about decency is too often suppressed in our schools and workplaces.

If you're thinking about forwarding this message, chances are that you're probably sorting out the people in your address book who aren't the 'appropriate' ones to receive this type of message

Well, the person who sent you this believes that we all can make a difference.

We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the 'natural order of things.'

So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice:

Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up those opportunities and leave the world a little bit colder in the process?

A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them...

You now have two choices:

1. Delete

2. Forward

May your day, be a Shay Day.

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  (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

Oct 11       National" Level Coach Certification Clinic     Memphis TN

                    Contact Bob Harvey    MsWillys51@aol.com

Oct 18       San Sedai Dojo Judo Tournament Madison IN

                 Contact Deborah Crawford  1-502-268-5289

OCT 18     2008 Badger Open Fond du Lac, WI

sponsored by WI Judo Inc

                 Contact Michael Blakeslee mblakesl@mcb-us.com

Nov 1           Illinois Judo Open Workout Barrington, IL  SEE FLYER!!
Contact:  Tim Schultheis (847)244-7847

                                Email:tschulth@warpnet.net www.gurneejudoclub.com

Nov 1        13^th Annual Land of Lakes Open St Paul, MN 

                 Contact:     Gary Foster, Tournament Director contact@midwayjudo.com

                 Phone:  1-612-280-5471

Nov 6 - 8   4^th 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

Dec 6        2008 Santa Shiai Fond du Lac, WI

                 Contact Michael Blakeslee mblakesl@mcb-us.com

2009

Apr 25        Steven Point Judo Tournament     Stevens Point, WI

                    Contact Tom Gustin trmegustin@charter.net

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 Weer

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.