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May 25, 2007

Kirk Hoffmann Athlete Blog

Is this is the Rendez-Vous tournament in May? There is a cookie factory next to the '76 Olympic stadium and French spoken everywhere, but why is it so warm?  No, Its not the Rendez-Vous, but several times this trip I have had to remind myself that indeed we are here competing in the Pan Am Championships in Montreal at the same venue and same hotel. The only difference is what is at stake for this particular tournament. With this difference there is an air of heaviness and seriousness that only an Olympic year can bring. Twenty-five countries competing for a handful of spots and each are here to win.

Cuba and Brazil roam the halls of the hotel and venue as we prepare to warm up and compete thinking that one day we too can medal at the sport's greatest championships. Unfortunately it's first things first, we must qualify for Pan Am Games, one match at a time. We are fortunate to have five quality coaches and each are mat side for ther particular athlete, but come finals the herd of coaches scream and move as the athlete from team is USA fighting, and once again we are reminded that whether we are from the east coast or west coast, Midwest and south that we are team USA , we are sport, and we are judo.

Each team is different and in its own way unique. There are rookies and veterans making their last Olympic run, people from places we would probably never meet otherwise, and some memories that we are yet to make on the trip. If you want results then they are out there but I thought that this is a little bit of my perspective a sentimental one because every tournament could be my last. If I take onething from this tournament it is that there are no certainties in judo.