ILLINOIS JUDO NEWSLETTER – IPPON!!!

ILLINOIS JUDO NEWSLETTER – IPPON!!!

January 29, 2009

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.

As you see, I continue to have problems sending things out by my office emails system. I get an error message, failed operation. So I am going to start again and attempt to do this a bit at a time. Again, you may get this multiple times so bear with me. Sorry.

Contents:
EDITORIAL –

Referee Corner –

Local News

Something to Think About –

Upcoming Events

USA Judo Life Members

USA Judo News

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

EDITORIAL –

You will note in the local section of this edition that a score board was stolen from Mercer Island Dojo. It is specific and identifiable. It would be useful for only judo people SO, if anyone tries to sell this to a club, state or yudanshakai, please report it to the police. Why anyone would want to do this is beyond me. There are so many other things to steal and fence to the public. So why would anyone do this?

Knock on wood but in all the years I have been associated with Judo, I have never lost or had anything stolen from me. Incredible as that may seem, I have had cameras, phones, nice pens, shoes, purchases out, on or under the referee table, with many people floating by me. Not once has it been touched/taken. That is not to say that I have not misplaced things, or that I am just careful. I am not. What I am saying is that most judo people are honest and would not even think of taking that which is not theirs. Perhaps as referees we are in “protected areas.” And I am sure that if I were sitting in the stands, some of my things might develop legs and walked away. But even in the stands or in the mad house of the warm-up areas, if something is left and unaccounted for, it is usually turned in to the announcers table and they try to return it to the owner.

Yes, you should be careful and not leave things to temptation. For it will deliver evil. Use common sense in keeping your things in one place. Have someone keep an eye on your belongs, sometimes even strangers. Trust human nature and the power of Judo Ethics to keep watch over your precious i-Pods, phones, obi’s and judogi. All bets are off if you travel internationally. Having been there and done that, in other countries, traveler beware.

I am sure my observations will be met with a dearth of horror stories from others. Sorry, these are just my observations and the next time I go referee, I am quite sure that something will be stolen from me. So I ask you to please not make this a self-fulfilling prophecy. Thank you.

REFEREE ISSUES – What NO KOKA?
The issue of koka has been settled – maybe. In the new 2009 rules, there will no longer be a score of koka. That means that any landing to the buttock or top of the shoulder will be counted as a kinsa only. A strong one, for sure, but a kinsa nonetheless. Likewise an osaekomi over 10 seconds but less than 14.9 seconds will not score either. Why did the IJF do this? I believe there are at several good reasons:

1. When Judo first started, there were two scores, Ippon and Waza-ari. Ippon required a person to throw another person with control to the back with speed and force. We went over this last time about the degrees of Ippon. Waza-ari was considered a small loss of control but essentially the same criteria. As Judo progressed from the “ancient” times to the so-called “modern” times, maybe when the first rules first appeared somewhere in the 50’s, people were hard pressed to evaluate scores less that Ippon or Waza-ari. Thus the Yuko came to being. If someone landed on their side, you got a yuko. The next natural progression then would be a Koka, when you landed on your buttocks. I believe this was all an effort to avoid that dreaded overtime period. More scores meant more differentiation between the players and someone would win the match in regulation time.

2. Judo is not football or rugby. Judo is nagewaza(throws), osae waza (pins), shime waza (chokes) and kansetsu wazas (armlock). OK, you can win with penalties also (more on that later). Judo requires techniques to get someone to the ground, to pin them, to make them submit. The idea of tackling seems to have come from Europe, mainly the old eastern block countries. Perhaps it was Sambo that made these techniques popular with a lot of hand techniques and pick ups, many of which landed on the buttocks. In any case, landings on your behind will no longer be counted as part of a physical score – at least for now. The bottom line is that taking koka’s away takes away the idea of tackling a person. It takes away the incentive to dive at your opponent to knock them down in the hopes of making them land somewhere on their back or side.

3. The IJF and IOC (International Olympics Committee) wanted to eliminate diving in this definition because it looks too much like Greco-Roman wrestling with pajamas on. Seems reasonable to not want two sports competing in the Olympic Games vaguely resembling each other. Since Greco-Roman wresting has been around longer (a couple of thousand years before Judo), perhaps it was only right that Judo had to change. J

In my opinion, Koka was a cop out. It was not a Judo score but an effort to subvert the true meaning of a throw. I think by eliminating the koka, we are reverting back to a more traditional judo, which definitely appeals to a lot of judoists out there, especially some of the old-timers. It encourages traditional Judo techniques and throws. Get used to it. If you teach real judo, your players will adapt just fine. Teach junk judo and your players will continue to be penalized for not knowing Judo. Not knowing Judo just sort of defeats the purpose of maximum efficiency, doesn’t it?

LOCAL NEWS

Passing of Mrs Grace Akiya -

The Memorial Service for Mrs. Grace Akiya will be Saturday January 31st at 1:00 pm. It will be at the Boulevard Presbyterian Church, 24600 Lakeshore Blvd. Euclid, Ohio 44123

Donations may be made to USJF in memory of Grace Akiya at

United States Judo Federation
P. O. Box 338
Ontario, OR 97914

Mrs Akiya is the wife of Sensei Ed Akiya, a long time member of Ohio Judo and a true judoka. Ed was very active in Judo, nationally as well as locally. See the obituary in the attachments.

Kata Clinic

To all judoka,

I just wanted to remind everyone about our Kata Certification Clinic coming up on Feb 13, 14 and 15, 2009.

Eiko Shepherd and Peggy Whilden will be coming into Chicago to teach Nage No Kata, Katame No Kata, Juno Kata and Goshin Jitsu.

It is a great opportunity to improve your kata knowledge and skill level. This clinic is open to judoka of all levels. We have had many junior and senior novice judoka participate in previous kata clinics right along side with black belt instructors. Everybody enjoyed the clinics and learned a great deal about kata and improved their techniques. Shiai competitor judoka also gain valuable knowledge and understanding of Kata that improved their shiai techniques. Please encourage all your students to attend.

See you at the clinic.

Doug Tono

Illinois Judo Open Workout

Please note that Atlas Extreme Team will host the next Illinois Judo Open Workout from Noon-2:00 PM, 28 Feb 2009 in Yorkville, IL. See attached flyer. We have had great success in our past IJI Open Workouts. Please consider supporting this event. The cost is $5 per athlete, and proceeds go directly to Illinois Judo (Non-For-Profit). Thanks, Tim Schultheis

<<90228 Judo IJI Open Workoutdoc>>

STOLEN SCOREBOARD

Some one broken into our club and stole our Judo score board. It is the portable one that you can purchase from Hatashita Sports. If someone tries to sell you one check our logo mark. It is marked with ESO on the case. I am checking ebay also.

https://www.hatashitasports.com/product-description.php?PID=184&CategoryID=41&source=#

Thank you,

Harold Yamada,
Mercer Island Dojo
Mercer Island, WA USA 98040

Highly unusual happening but if anyone comes across a scoreboard as described, please contact Mr Yamada at Mercer Island Dojo

mercerislanddojo@hotmail.com or 1-206-618-5790. Thank you. ED.

Jason Morris Judo & Coaching Clinic January 31, 2009 Mundelein, Ill.
Four-time Olympian Jason Morris is one of the most decorated judo players in American history. Jason Morris is world renowned for his judo expertise, coaching ability, and training methods.
Jason is a tachiwaza (standing techniques) specialist. Learn the techniques and tactics that made Jason Morris one of the most innovative and successful judo players in the world.
Click Here to download the clinic flyer and registration information.
Where: Cohen's Judo Club
108 Terrace Dr.
Mundelein, Il 60060
When: January 31, 2009
Sr. 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
(Jr. 11:00 am - 1:30 pm)
Price: $30 for kids 12 & under
$50 for adults
Contact: Irwin Cohen
Rwin72@aol.com
(847) 949-7272 dojo

Something to Think About – ENLIGHTENED PERSPECTIVE
Please Read all the way to the bottom: If you will take the time to read these. I promise you'll come away with an enlightened perspective. The subjects covered affect us all on a daily basis:

They're written by Andy Rooney, a man who has the gift of saying so much with so few words. Enjoy.......
I've learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.
I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows.
I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day.
I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.
I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right.
I've learned.... That you should never say no to a gift from a child.
I've learned .... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.
I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.
I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.
I've learned.... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.
I've learned.... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
I've learned.... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.
I've learned.... That money doesn't buy class.
I've learned.... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.
I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
I 've learned.... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.
I've learned.... That love, not time, heals all wounds.
I've learned.... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.
I've learned.... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.
I've learned.... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.
I've learned ... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.
I've learned.... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.
I've learned.... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.
I've learned.... That I wish I could have told my Dad that I love him one more time before he passed away.
I've learned .... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.
I've learned.... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
I've learned.... That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.
I've learned.... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.
I've learned.... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.
To all of you.... Make sure you read all the way down to the last sentence.

The last one is to send it to all of your friends. Only if you want to. ED.

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.

2009 dates

Jan 31 Jason Morris Clinic – Mundelein IL
Contact Aaron Cohen judo21@aol.com 1-847-372-7373

Feb 8 Executive Board Meeting of Illinois Judo Yorkville, IL
Contact Chuck Clark (630)553-5741 clarkmail4@comcast.net

Feb 13-15 KATA CERTIFICATION AND CLINIC Chicago IL

Contact: Eiko Shepherd eikojudo@wisperhome.com Tel: 618-875-2558 H 618-875-1617 Fax 618-781-5157 Cell

Feb 28 Konjo Dojo St. Louis Championships Fenton MO
Contact: Randy Pierce konjo7@aol.com 636-464-6487(eve) 636-343-2481 (day)

Mar 14 Illinois State Open Championships -- Yorkville, IL
Contact Chuck Clark (630)553-5741 clarkmail4@comcast.net

Apr 25 Steven Point Judo Tournament Stevens Point, WI
Contact Tom Gustin trmegustin@charter.net

Nov 7 Gurnee Veterans Day Tournament -- Gurnee, IL
Contact Tim Schultheis (847)244-7847 annetims@comcast.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.

USA JUDO NEWS: Complete coverage of 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.

Register Now for the 2009 USA Judo Senior, Masters and Kata National Championships!
The USA Judo National Championships return to the West Coast this year with competition being held in Senior, Masters and Kata divisions, April 17-18 in San Diego.

http://www.usjudo.org/documents/2009SeniorNationalsEntryPacket.pdf.

This year's Senior National Championships also will include the 2009 World Team Trials where top elite athletes will vie for berths to compete at the 2009 World Championships in Rotterdam Netherlands - one of the first major qualifying tournaments for the 2012 Olympic Games!

The Masters National Championships will include competition for athletes ages 30 and older. Past competitors in his event have included former Olympians and National Champions as well as players who have been introduced to the sport in recent years.

This year's kata divisions will include single gender and mixed katas in the following events: Nage-no-kata, Kime-no-kata, Katame-no-kata, Ju-no-kata, Goshin-jutsu

2009 Cadet World Championships Selection Criteria August 6-9, 2009 Budapest, Hungary
For the first time ever, the International Judo Federation will play host to a World Championship event for Cadet athletes. The Cadet division coincides with our Juvenile B's and includes athletes born in 1993 or 1994. The event will be held from August 6-9 in Budapest Hungary.

USA Judo is pleased to announce that the 2009 USA Judo Youth and Scholastic National Championships (March 28-29 in York, Pa.) will serve as the Trials for this event. As such, in order to qualify for the Cadet World Championships, all athletes MUST compete in the Juvenile B division of the 2009 USA Judo Youth and Scholastic National Championships (referred to herein as the "Scholastic Nationals.")... more>

USA Judo Clothing: Wind shirts $32 for short time only

See www.teamip.com

IN THE NEWS:

Irwin Cohen continues health struggles
Chicago Tribune

Chicago, Ill.

January 21, 2009

"I was dead to the world" before the surgery, said the Buffalo Grove judo coach. "I wasn't able to do much. Now I'm stable...

Veronica Graves has a dream: Edwardsville native aims for Olympics
Belleville News Democrat

Belleville, Ill.

January 12, 2009

Last September, she started training at the Olympic Training Center for aspiring judo students in Colorado Springs, Colo. In that first call home...

Female U.S. judoka Kanokogi receives award from Emperor

The Japan Times

November 26, 2008

Rena "Rusty" Kanokogi, the highest-ranking female American judoka, has been decorated with a prestigious civilian honor by Japan for her work in establishing U.S. national and Olympic judo competitions for women...