GRIPPING STUFF!
Last updated 00:12, Tuesday, 08 April 2008
ITS TRADEMARK throws, holds, locks and chokes make judo the martial art of choice in many Hollywood movies.
Now Derek Gove, Watanabe Kwai judo club senior coach, is helping bring big screams to Cumbria.
Kodokan Judo began in Japan in the late 19th century and was an Olympic demonstration event in Los Angeles in 1932. It became a full medal event for men 32 years later, while women had to wait until 1992 to compete fully.
However it is important to remember that picking up medals at championships and moving up through the grades are by-products of successful training, not the goal.
These days, because judo is usually only seen at the Olympics, most assume that it involves no kicking or punching like other martial arts, but they simply aren’t seeing the full range of judo techniques.
“Some people take it up to get fit or lose weight,” explained Derek. “Others want to learn how to protect themselves or have been bullied.“It really is one of the best all-round forms of exercise there is, and like swimming, judo gives the entire body a workout. It requires quick bursts of energy as well as the stamina to last the duration.
The area representative for the British Judo Council insists that skill trumps strength and the sport isn’t about brute force at all.
“It’s a good social activity and it’s mentally stimulating. Judo becomes a physical game of chess because whatever move you make, your opponent will have a range of counter moves to attempt.
“The great thing about judo is that you can adapt your training to your ability and experience.
“I get great pleasure seeing people exceed their own expectations. I’ve seen countless youngsters come in with virtually no confidence and then discover their own potential.
“There have also been adults who thought their days of physical activity were over and then progress through the grades and defeat strapping young men in championships.
“For me it hands down beats the monotony of plodding away like a hamster in a wheel on a treadmill or cycling machine.
“People considering trying it may find it quite intimidating to watching experienced competitors merrily flinging each other around the mat but its like someone interested in jogging being put off because they don’t think they could match a top marathon runner’s ability to run 26 miles in two hours.”
