Lame Month

****INCOMING WINGE***



Well, finally doing another update haha.

This month since getting back from training camp has been relatively stink, training hard but had a mishap a few days ago which has caused a fair deal of stress for me and my family, fortunately things look like its going to work out - thank god I decided to get travel insurance at the last moment.

The Kidotai arent training too hard right now as this friday they have the All Japan Police Games so are preparing for that via light light light training, which is understandable. Ritsumeikan have been out of Kyoto but on thursday are back to normal schedule which is good news. so last week and this week have been only about 8 judo sessions for the week which isnt really what I'm after but enough not to complain, hopefully can push at 10-12 next week if everythings back on schedule again.

Went to Daishin Dojo in Osaka to see Matsuura Sensei and enter into the Shodan Shiaii offially, which is exiting so I have that very soon, plus another 3 competitions over the next couple of months so thats at least something to be a bit more positive about. There was a big photo on the wall at Daishin Dojo of my uncle Chris and Aunty Loretta with Matsuura Sensei and his wife when they signed the Osaka Kiwi Club Judo Exchange programme up - so that was really unexpected but quite cool, funnily I dont think Chris is aware that I'm over here at all. Also Matsuura Sensei knows of my father as he had a name board made up through Pops.


Little bit hopesick this last couple of weeks but thats just because a few things have gone wrong, I'm sure when things pick up for me I'll be sweet as again.
Mum went along to Auckland Uni Open day on my behalf to investigate the bachelor in physical education - Looking forward to starting that up eventually, Uni students get awesome holidays which I can use to train over here for 3-4 month stints plus short days so I can try and get double trainings in back in Auckland plus time in gym.

Actually on a lighter note so I dont come accross too negative and mopey; Some of my techniques are coming along alot better now thanks to a few pointers Kasuga Sensei gave me at training camp so getting better execution, and my Newaza has bounced up a notch with some new tricks up my sleeze but mostly a more solid general game and clean basics.


: )

Training Camp

Havn't done an update in a good halth month as Iv been off the radar.

I went to a training Camp with the guys from Ritsumeikan Uni Judo team on Kyushu Island in the Kagoshima prefecture, at Kanoya University - which is incidentaly the National University for sport and Fitness.

So needless to say they have awesome facilities and take Judo very seriously.
Overall I would say the camp was like being a Spartan for a week, we lived in a guest dorm building for visiting athlete teams, in tatami bunk rooms.

The average day would follow this formulae;

#Wake up 0600- Go for run
#0700 - Eat Breakfast together in the cafeteria (Usually a bowl of rice, a salad, and a suprise)
#0730 - Rush back to the Dorms: spend the next hour chugging down water, taping fingers, organising your gear, quick nap
#0830 - Leave for Judo: We walk to the Judo Dojo on Campuss which is a huge building surrounded by a boat easily 5 stories in height, designed to look like an imposing Samurai Castle. Once there, change into Judo Gi in our own Dojo set aside for us to warm up in each day (Huge area)
#0900 - Begin first training: First we do 5 minutes jog around the mat (which is 4 Competition Mats, in Olympic colours - Blue and Yellow) Then go through the warmups; generally being basic stretches, some situps and dips.
Now the training begins in earnest, we pair off and do Uchikomi Drills (Perfmorming a technique to the point of throwing over and over again) we would literally go through 100's of these. It's excellent. Now ...lets all throw each other as many times as possible in 10 minutes in sets of 10 each - By the way no Minor techniques today only big painfull throws (ouch).

----2 minutes break to cover up any new cuts, and skull some water ( remember its 39 degrees here)----

No messing around, straight into Randori (sparring) now, Standup only. Either 20 Rounds in which everyone has to work their ass off with no rest. Or, divide in 3 groups, 2 groups allways on and 1 off so we go through 30 but do 20 having 1 off every 3. This is better for techinique wheras 20 in a row is good for being a hardass and becoming a beast.

A while later its over, finally.

Not actually, now power uchikomi in groups of 3 - try your hardest to throw someone while someone else stands behind them trying to keep them up. 8 sets of 10 each generally.

Now into pairs, more Uchikomi - this time speed Uchikomi - Major Throws only. Do as many as you can with all your power and speed in 30 seconds, 2 seconds break to change grip then again, and again. 2 groups of 6 sets each. This one is awesome.

Now we go through a circuit, 2 times each. Including things like dips, clapping pushups, situps, chinups on gis, jumping, squats and a whole range of other body killers.
Sometimes to be cruel we just do 120 Dip Pushups ( no shit i counted) 150 situps, then squat jumps accross the whole dojo and back twice - I couldnt walk up or down stairs without SERIOUS pain for days, it still hurts)

Now lets go to the ropes and climb to the top and back down twice each

Ok good work everyone - Bow off. Class over

Is now about 1200 so we all get changed.

#1200 - Waddle over to the Cafeteria and have lunch together, identical to breakfast really maybe a small change in one dish.

#1230 - Get home, Put Judogi in washing machine, organise general laundry, have a protein shake, drink no less than 2 litres of Water, Jump into bed and sleep a bit - next training is at 4 so I can have about 2 hours comfortable real sleep. I set an alarm for each hour though and drink a bit of water though.

#1530 - Head over to training number 2 - We all grab a fresh gi, retape about mangled fingers and torn muscles etc and head over, this time at a slower pace so we leave a bit earlier than in the morning haha.
This training is 100% Newaza (Groundfighting Orientated) the guys here are known around the way for being exceptional groundfighters, verrry technical and well drilled. Warmups are the usual - Dips, situps etc. Then lay on our stomachs and drag ourselves using our arms accross the mats, then go backwards on your back using your feet, then sideways bouncing like a salmon ( I hate this the most ) the Eby movement and a range of others.

Now we do Newaza Drills - Your partner (Uke) starts with a looping hold on your arm and you on your side- he tries to pin you, strangle you or armbar you, and you try to escape and defend. He has about 30 seconds. We do this about 10 times with different partners each time. Once I got lucky an reversed the guy into a pin from a defending, which was a cocky move. I was feeling cool until I got owned by him in 10 seconds next time haha.

----2 minutes break for water and tissues to wipe away tears---

Back on the mat, now 30 minutes of Randori Newaza; It goes until someone submits, then you change partners immediatly. At first each fight lasted 1 or 2 minutes at most for me before i tapped, towards the end of the camp I adjusted my style and wised up a bit - on the last training I had one fight go for 30 minutes with no clear winner - we just kept going back and fowards. Countering and reversing each others positions.

-----2 Minutes break------

another 30 Minutes or maybe 1 hour of Newaza Randori, same style.
Afterwhich we go through more drills, and the Sensei or guest will show us something - main focuss of the camp was Shimei Waza (Strangles and chokes) Usually in the bridge between in standing and ground (for example opponent fails a throw and is on his stomach - now strangle him) Simple in theory and well drilled in NZ - but I really learn alot of new things and ways to go about it.


#1900 - Finished training - Now go to dinner together, we eat dinner and watch Baseball usually, then we head to home and organise laundry - organise for the next day and drink alot of water. Generally I'm in bed at 2130 but dont sleep til 2300 as some people like to play around and bully the Kohai (juniors) for a few hours. Understandable.



--End of day ---- Repeat X6

We got the Camp by Ferry from Osaka Port (Ichiban Yasui - Cheapest way) Ferry took 17 hours but has a games room, beds and restaurant so wasnt all bad. One way the guys entertain themselves is bullying the Kohai, whats accepted as normal here would result in legal actions in NZ.

Its Ok to punch your Junior in the face, Kick him in the Head, Slap him, nipple gripple and twist(This seemed to be popular) get him to make your bed, carry your heavy judo bags to training and back after, walk 3 KM at 2300 to the nearest Shop to pick up some groceries for you, Put deep heat/tiger balm on him in painfull areas, have him wash your back in the Public Baths (no joke) and a whole range of other things.

As I'm here to learn the best of japanese Judo and bring it to NZ, I hope to bring the best of this - aside from obvious parts back to NZ.

So coming soon - Diary Entry #32: A day in the life of a Japanese Judo Kohai.

Alive

I have recovered enough energy to drag myself to my laptop finally and provide all the sadists out there with another update.

My knee injury is pretty much right now, have to be a big carefull still with leg drop throws but its ok as lately I have been playing lefty alot anyway. I alternate alot trying to build strong left and right so no complaints.

Training over the last week has been good but not as busy as usual as we are still in holiday season. back to fullthrottle 2-3 trianings a day as of yesterday ..and to be honest it was really hard getting back into it. In the morning at Kidotai training there was a team fight event again between our guys from Kyoto and another prefecture. They are doing it to decide on Kansai regions best team to send to the All Japan Police Games, so far it looks like it will be a Kyoto dominated team - the team fight is run as a best of 3. Our guys took the first round very lightly - winning only by small scores and penalty's as they just sussed their opposition out, seeing what they have and what their style is.

Round 2: Ippon, Ippon, Ippon etc etc. We won all but 1 of the matchs and nearly all of them by fullscore Ippon throws ( equivilant of boxings knockouts) so the Kyoto guys obviously did a good job of sussing the opposition out.

After than there was a 2 hour break and then into Tachiwaza Randori (Standing Sparring) After a team fight the other team stays 2-3 days to train like a training camp style so theres allways new faces to train with and new styles to work with. I felt really sluggish ... I think I ate too much within the hour before training. Ughhh. I remember an occasion in which Pudgy from Ak/Uni club did this and was vomiting in the toilet after being bombed on his back... at least I did not get to that point..

Straight home from training and 2 hours to rest for training at Enshin Dojo, that went well and I didnt feel sluggish at all there, got some good techniques in and was happy with my posture. They had one hardcore gun there who usually just chills on the side who decided to partake that day..and bring my ego down to size. Cool dude though.

After training we all went along to Yakitori with some of the Judo guys, which seems to be becoming a bi weekly sorta thing. Sensei Rick came along aswell plus a small french contingent who spent the evening sparring wits with Lee calder and coming out worse or wear.

I have to leave for Judo in 20 minutes so time to get my gear together.

J

Pictures from Riot Police

Pictures from Team Fight between Kidotai Kyoto Riot Police and their counterparts from another prefecture.

More complaining

Its too hott!!!

34 Degrees, wearing a double weave Judo gi - going through 10 rounds of randori/sparring. Apparantly I should be happy though as winter is supposedly 10X worse.

Back to fullintensity fighting after doing a medial strain that made me sideline a bit for 4 days or so, now getting back into it after testing the water and finding it ok again. Elbow feeling a bit better now after someones over enthusiastic Juji/arm bar.
Perhaps as revenge for the recent less than flattering video of Sensei Rick showing his technological prowess, we are now expected to go for a run along the river in full Judo gi after Judo while he films it for the infamous Judokong.com unfortunately said video is likely ever to see the light of day as it would result in mutiny at shimei hall.

Training camp is getting closer, just a couple of weeks away. Looking forward to it even though I'm going to be gunning it lone wolf due to everyone else being pansies/having to leave Japan for the OJU's in Aussie. I'm just a bit bitter.
It's taking place in Kyushu - the southern most part of Honshu, the mainland of Japan. Also the hottest part. Woo.

Got another new haircut down the road for the summer months, I asked for a Budo haircut, and I got one. End of story.


Aside from the heat and other pains in the ass, I'm feeling confident about training. Probably because I'm at current reading Lance Armstrongs 'Not about the bike' pretty inspiring read. I give it a 4.3/5 with the .7 deducted for lack of pictures to make it easy for someone whos been thrown on his head 100 times recently to understand.

Sensei Rick, on technology

Week in Review

Rainy season finally ended just yesterday, suddenly seeing alot more mamals around the town, riding home yesterday from Judo with Lee we spotted ourselves an Otter hooning around the river at top speeed, saw another Snake (poison brown) slithering about, another Otter by the river at nighttime, he was just kicking back on the land with Tim & I.
So I get home after this eventfull day and park my bike and what do I see, nothing other than a Tanuki *the namesake of Sensei Ricks restaurant* playing around our bikes. We have a tense standoff for a minute then it pounds away into our garden and disapears. Tanuki are more or less a mix of a raccoon and a dog with a splash of badger. Very cute, very cuddly but also very strong , brave and aggresive if circumstances permit.




(Tanuki Above)



(Typical Tanuki goodluck Statue, have one at home in NZ)


On Thursday this week did a really hard training, went really well. I did about 9 rounds of Standup Sparring at Kidotai and then another 10 in a row at Enshin Dojo, went really well my fitness is right up there but I nailed my knee a bit at Enshin and only noticed when I got home it hurts to turn it side to side, wheras straight movements are ok. Suspect its a medial ligament strain, will have it looked at in 20 minutes by an expert and should be fine for the new week all going to plan. Also had someone accidenlty attempt to break my arm off with a strong Juji (armbar, I didnt even have a second to submit!) its very tender now and a bit strained at the elbow but it only popped once before I managed to wrench it out. Its not broken so should also be ok come Monday.

Training wise I'm foccussing ony getting my offence, grip fighting and endurance up and up so I'm good for the training camp. Its a Night and half long ferry trip there plus 3 hours by train - the very south of Japan around Kyushu is the destination.


This coming evening Sensei Rick & us are taking Aoki San to an English Pub which will be a nice change, good time to relax and talk Judo of course...what else do people talk about?>!

Still waiting on Lee to upload those pictures, but should be done tomorow so fingers crossed.