Yotam took third at Tech Judo
Yotam took third at the Tech Judo "Super Bowl" tournament yesterday. I wasn't going to be there, but I changed my plans so I was able to attend. I took the bus out there with Yotam and my buds Rich and Seth from Five Points.
When it was all over I helped stack the mats, as I did last time I was there. I must be nuts because I actually enjoy that, though I imagine it gets less fun around the hundredth time. Maybe it just felt good to do something physical (not to mention helpful) after watching other people fight all day. I tend to carry heavy things on my left, so I made a mental note to try carrying the mats on my right side next time, not only for strength but coordination. Someday I may have to study the nage-no-kata, and I'll be glad I sort of practiced kata-guruma on both sides, even if my uke was a big rubber rectangle.
This was the first time I've been out to Tech Judo that I didn't have a ride back. When we got to the bus stop for the return trip, we realized we had over an hour wait for the next bus. As luck would have it, referee Lillian Tom walked by and noticed us standing there. She took us to a bus stop where we caught the 166/165 line, which runs much more frequently. Thanks, Lillian! Not only did this get us back to the city much quicker, the walk to the bus stop was like a mini-workout, though you'd hardly know it to see Yotam bounding up the hills.
On a side note, I've updated my directions to Tech Judo with more bits of information that I always forget, like the gate number and the zone number.
On another side note, I heard Tech Judo will have another tournament in four weeks, on March 1. Looking forward to it.
Here are Yotam's matches. Unfortunately I missed the first few seconds of his third match, when he scored a waza-ari.
February 2nd, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Thanks, Andy! A little embarrassing that my division was won by two green belts (from West Point).
February 5th, 2009 at 8:17 am
Yotam! some nice ashiwaza in there, neat!!!
February 13th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Awesome. With Yotam you think you're safe even when your feel his foot on your heel. In less than a second that progresses to you wondering why it feels like you have no foot. It ends with you looking up at him wondering what happened to your uchimata plans and why exactly ko-uchi is considered a "minor" reap. The best judo is the kind that uke doesn't even feel until its all over. I think this qualifies. Nice job.
February 13th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Germain, that describes randori with Yotam perfectly.
February 24th, 2009 at 2:07 am
Aww, you guys are making me too happy.