Member News

ILLINOIS JUDO NEWSLETTER – IPPON!!!

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.

Contents:

Editorial – Blue vs White

LOCAL NEWS
USA JUDO NEWS

            2007 European Tour information

            Complete Selection Procedures

            Team USA Results at Pan-Am Infantile Championships – Maracaibo, Venezuela

Serving Our Country
Something to Think About – The Universe
HELPFUL INFORMATION – Free Directory Assistance

Upcoming Events
USA Judo Life Members

Editorial

I just received a request for comment about use of Blue and White judogi use for juniors at the USJF Nationals.  Some of the reasons why this organization is thinking about this are:

1. It is an international requirement for use in major championships, worldwide including the United States for senior and youth divisions
2. Other countries require Juniors of all ages to compete with blue and white gi’s(specifically Mexico, that I know about).
3. Price of judogi’s are coming down
4. Supporting the use of blue judogi’s is not a legal issue, but one of “a willingness to take a significant step in moving closer the universal application of the international rules.”
5. Requiring blue and white judogi’s would “increase the level of judo since the environmental conditions for an athlete would not change between competing locally, nationally or internationally. 
6. It is anticipated that requiring the use of blue and white judogi’s at the USJF Junior Nationals would be the harbinger to its use at other Junior National events as well as other Junior events on a local or national level. 

There is no question that the use of the blue and white judogis have changed the way people perceive judo competitions.  Blue judogi’s are sexy.  It makes for good TV contrast.  They make it easier to referee.  Kids love it.  Beginners, with the tacit permission of their sensei’s, sometimes only buy the blue judogi.  It has become so widely accepted that many judoka’s are purchasing two judogi’s even if they are not required.  It is equally apparent that the wide spread use of the blue judogi will become a national standard and perhaps long overdue.  Then why is there angst in my voice?  Why should this change be at all troubling?  Why should we not embrace this idea as much as all the other rules that we live by in this sport? 

Let me address some of these issues and give reasonable cause for caution.  International rules should be used in all sports for uniformity, for consistency in rules.  Only where medical or safety issues affect local tradition should there be variances from the International Rules.  An example of this would be the rules against armbars and choking for children under certain ages.  Even in these situations, the rules can vary from country to country or Union to Union.  For example, chokes and armbar usage vary in Europe compared to the Pan-American Union.  We must be aware of these differences if our players compete internationally.  But the use of a blue or white judogi is not a legal or safety issue. 

In the most powerful and richest country in the world, certainly every judoka should be able to afford two judogi’s.  That may be true in some geographic areas of this country, but I suspect that there are plenty of clubs in inner city communities who would be hard pressed to provide two judogi’s for each player.  These club instructors are hard pressed to keep their clubs open, let alone doubling the judogi requirement.  Then what about families with more than one child competing?  Technically, four judogi’s should be available to each player in case blood contaminates one of them.  I think you would find resistance in this even in some of the more affluent areas.  I think we also need to be considerate of the growth rate of some of these children.  See the shoe issue below. 

Admittedly, some countries (MEXICO) require blue and white judogi’s for all junior and senior players.  I believe also that Judo in Mexico is subsidized by their government.  This makes a huge difference in what they can and cannot afford.  It certainly is not true in other countries of the PJU where judogi’s are oversized, undersized, dirty, and torn.  And yet, they fight and compete with courage and dignity no matter who the opponent. 

Truth be told, judo is not a cheap sport to participate in – but equally, is not the most expensive.  Take football, baseball, hockey, soccer, skating or gymnastics.  Shoes, helmets, shin pads, practice balls, uniforms, gym time all add up to potential hundreds and thousands of dollars of out of pocket expenses for parents annually.  Judo is relatively inexpensive – monthly dues are not outrageous at most clubs throughout the US and judogi’s can be had for less than $75 and sometimes less than $50.  That adds up to less than $150 for a pair of judogi’s.  Not bad considering I used to pay $75 dollars for a soccer shoe that would last barely one season. 

I believe that the easiest, least expensive way to solve this is to provide blue and white BELTS at all judo tournaments by the tournament organizers.  They started this in Wisconsin soon after the blue and white judogi were introduced and it did work perfectly.  This system was soon adopted by Illinois, Indiana and other Midwestern states.  Better yet, require all players to have two belts, one white and one blue for use in competition.  Certainly this is cheaper and one would be more assured of having a belt that fits properly.

While blue does make refereeing easier, the use of blue and white judogi’s is basically an esthetic issue, pure and simple.  It is for TV, it is sex appeal.  It is good for judo but is it absolutely necessary?  I think not.  While I believe that it is inevitable that blue and white judogi’s will be required at all levels of competition in the future, I feel that a transition period might be appropriate and that the blue and white belts would be a perfect short term solution to a long term problem. 

LOCAL NEWS

PAT BURRIS – Coaches Clinic – BE THERE!!! This Saturday, Tohkon Academy

Any questions? 

USA Judo News
Complete coverage of these articles available at the USA Judo website.  Click on the link http://www.usjudo.org/  and 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.  To get further information on any of these stories, it is better to go to the USA Judo website.

2007 European Tour

The European Tour schedule is now available at www.usjudo.org .  Please note that only one U.S. athlete may enter in each weight division and that the European Tour is divided into both spring and fall segments. 

Athletes ranked #1 on the USA Judo Senior Elite National Roster, as of Dec. 4, 2006 have the opportunity to choose their events first, followed by #2 and so on.  Check back frequently as the charts below will be updated as athletes make their European Tour selections. 

Selection Deadlines - Roster as of December 4, 2006

Complete Selection Procedures

New This Year:  All athletes must remit the 2007 European Tour Form with their selections. 

Team USA Wins 12 Medals on First Day of Pan American Infantile Championships

The United States had a successful first day at the Pan American Infantile Championships, winning three gold medals and 12 overall in the 11-12-year-old division on Thursday in Maracaibo, Venezuela.

Carly Patton (Zephyrhills, Fla. / El Mambi / 53kg) won her second consecutive gold medal in this division after being named the Outstanding Competitor in 2005.  In the final match, Patton slammed Valesca Dos Santos (BRA) to the mat with one of the biggest throws of the day – an ippon seoi nage (shoulder throw) that led to cheers from the crowd.

Katelyn Bouyssou (Hope, R.I. / Mayo Quanchi Judo Club / 38kg) also won a gold medal to go with her 2005 title.  This year Bouyssou moved up two weight divisions, from 31kg to 38kg, but still went 3-0 to win gold in the day’s largest division on the girls’ side. 

After narrowly winning her first round… more>

Lambert Captures Third Pan American Infantile Championship, Leads U.S. to 12 Medals on Second Day  

(Colorado Springs, Colo.) – Marina Lambert (Chesapeake, Va. / Washington Judo) won her third consecutive gold medal at the Pan American Infantile Championships in Maracaibo, Venezuela on Friday. 

Lambert, who also won titles in 2004 and 2005, won the +64kg division on the second day of the event in which the 13-14-year-olds were contested.  Her gold medal was one of three for the United States on Friday and 12 medals for Team USA overall to go with 12 won on Thursday.

A bronze medalist in October at the Senior U.S. Open, Lambert had little trouble with her four opponents, beating each by ippon (instant win).  One of Lambert’s most glamorous wins of the day was a crushing throw of Maria Silva (COL) with an ashi dori (lifting counter throw).

Everet Desilets (Hope, R.I. / Mayo Qunachi Judo) won a gold medal in the 36kg division after taking a bronze in last year’s 11-12-year-old 34kg event.  Desilets was down by a yuko (quarter-point) to Richard Espinoza (VEN), a silver medalist last year in the 11-12-year-old 31kg division, but came back to win the match, scoring a koka (smallest points) and a yuko.

Anthony Kwon (Kaneohe, Hawaii / Hodokan Judo Club) won the 48kg division in his first Pan American Infantile event, beating his Costa Rican opponent, Ignacio Sancho by a yuko in the final to win gold… more>

SERVING OUR COUNTRY                                                                          
PVT Luke Jacobsen – Milwaukee, WI                                             
LTJG Donny Newsome, Gurnee, IL                                                  
LT Nick Oldfield, Navy, Virginia – home base                               
Mike Preditus, IL                                                                                 
SGT Dennis Pruitt, IRAQ                                                                   
Dan Smith, Dickson, TN                                                                 

   
Please let me know other Judo families who have loved ones serving in our military:  rank, branch of service and where they are serving.  Thanks.

HELPFUL INFORMATION
No Charge for Directory Assistance Phone companies are charging us $1.00 or more for 411 - information calls when they don't have to.   When you need to use the 411/information option, simply dial 1-800-FREE-411 or 1-800-373-3411 without incurring a charge. This is information people don't mind receiving - Pass it on.  Works on both home phones and cell phones.

In business or just for personal, it might come in handy.  It is computerized but if there is a problem, someone live will come on.   KN

UPCOMING EVENTS - 2006

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 Taylors 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.

Dec. 9     Illinois Judo Coach's Certification Clinic         Tohkon Judo Academy, Chicago, Ill.
MR PAT BURRIS, Chief Clinician, Mr James Colgan, Mr Jim Peterson, Dr Kei Narimatsu, Mr Barry Henby
Contact: Tim Schultheis, tschulth@warpnet.net or 847.244.7847

Dec. 9    IJI Meeting Board of Directors Meeting        Tohkon Judo Academy, Chicago, Ill. To be held 1 hour before the IJI Coaches Certification Clinic  - 9:00 AM

Dec. 26 – 30    Gurnee Judo Holiday Camp featuring Carrie Chandler            Gurnee, Ill.
Contact: Tim Schultheis, tschulth@warpnet.net  for more information or www.gurneejudoclub.com

Dec. 30           Junior Development Clinic – Open Workout  Gurnee Judo Club Gurnee, Ill.
Contact: Brett Wolf, azumah4@yahoo.com

2007 dates

Jan. TBD Junior Development Clinic – Open Workout  Tohkon Judo Academy, Chicago, Ill.
Contact: Brett Wolf, azumah4@yahoo.com

Feb. 18                        Illinois State Open Judo Championships                      Yorkville Ill.
Contact: Chuck Clark, 630.553.5741, clarkmail@sbcglobal.net or Tim Schultheis, 847.244.7847

Feb. TBD                                       Sensei Memorial                                   San Jose, Calif.

                         -               Referee Examination Site

Feb. 17                  4th Annual Pedro's Challenge Judo Tournament       Wakefield, Mass.
USA Judo E-Level Senior Event and Referee Examination Site

Contact: Jimmy Pedro at jimmypedro@zebramats.com or 978.973.6238

Mar. 2-4                                 Midwestern Championships                           Chicago, Ill.

Referee Examination Site

Mar. 10                                     New York Open                               New York City, N.Y.

Mar. 24-26                    MS/HS/Collegiate National Championships                   Miami, Fla.

Apr. 1-2                                         Liberty Bell                                    Philadelphia, Pa. Referee Examination Site

Apr. 7-8                                       Northglenn                                           Denver, Colo.

Apr. 20-21                                Senior Nationals                                          Miami, Fla.

May 29-30                                 Am-Can Challenge                                    Buffalo, N.Y.

July 7 – 8                                   Junior Olympics

July TBD                                  USJA Junior Nationals                          Indianapolis, Ind.

July 14-15                                USJF Junior Nationals                              Ypsilanti, Mich.

Aug. 4-5                                  USA Judo Junior Open                      Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Sept. TBD                               Ladder and Fall Classic

Sept. / Oct. TBD                       USA Judo Senior Open

Nov. 2007                                   Continental Crown                                Seattle, Wash. Referee Examination Site

Nov. 2007                                   Dallas Invitational                                  Dallas, Texas

Referee Examination Site

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
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 34 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.