Click here to view the embedded video.

Ryan Reser is the uke for a local student. Myles Porter (Paralympian!!!) was the other judoka in blue. Myles is the third visually impaired athlete to be ranked nationally among his sighted peers.

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We had a wonderful time teaching them 2 judo moves each and one hold down. This hands on demo allowed the blind children to throw my students (and they loved every minute of it!) We brought uniforms for every one to try (and feel), and some of Sensei Rich’s Keystone Games medals from past events that are very textured so they can feel them. (They are in the shape of a Keystone)…

They enjoyed hanging with us and telling us many stories of what they also enjoy. Many are members of the Junior Blind Golfers Association, and have participated in Special Olympics under Swimming, Running, and Horseback Riding…

My students had a GREAT time, and the campers asked us when we where coming back! Many also asked where they can signup for judo! Sadly for many they live far away from my club. But I will do my best to find them one local if I can… If not, I may just have to start a judo club for MCAB!

One of the harder things for my young helper students to understand was how they needed to describe every thing they needed to do or tell the other child how to move a foot or hand for placement. But they got the hang of it! (Teaching not so easy eh’ guys?)

I found it a little strange when one of the blind students asked me if I could guide them back to the mat area from the hall… suddenly I was the more sighted of the bunch. I seen one of my other students guide a blind student to the bathroom and patiently wait for him outside, then guide him back to our area. I’m so proud of my students, they acted like perfect role-models!

Special thanks to Mr. Jim Hunt camp director (yellow cap) [who is also blind] from the Montgomery County Association for the Blind… and the Pottstown Judo Club. This demonstration was arranged by Sensei Rich (me)…

The young fellow sitting next to me, is only 7-years-old and has limited light perception – the little dude almost jumped out of his chair when we made the first call for participants! Youngest of the bunch with a triumphant “I DOOOOOO!”… and was first on the mat! – Yea!!! I love it!

To learn more about Visually Impaired and Blind Judo please, contact me!

Judo is an official Olympic and Paralympic Sport for the Blind…

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Youth weigh-ins where Friday night, and I rode down with Paul and his dad. Seems a waste, but all the kids must weigh in the night before. It just makes things smoother for the day to come. How ever it’s still an hours drive for a weigh in that takes all of 2-minutes. Matt and his mom opted for a hotel room to stay in.

The next day (Saturday), we drove down again, this time to fight. I find out from sensei Fred that poor Matt is THE VERY FIRST MATCH OF THE DAY ON MAT 5! And Paul was the THIRD match on Mat 6! – CRAP! Well, no time to waste. We picked up the kids match cards, and got them to run around a bit.

Opening ceremonies over, and the day begins.

Matt’s up! – Matt’s over… damn… His match lasted about 30-seconds. He lost. Paul’s up… Paul’s down! Double damn… His match was also over in about 30-seconds… Not a good start! This is after all a Double Elimination tournament.

Matt was now match 8, and well… Sorry folks we lost this one. So poor Matt’s day was over in all of about 20-minutes. Paul’s turn for match number two. This time, he nailed the kid for two half-point throws. He won that one. We’re still in this.

Paul’s next match was number 23 on Mat 6. So we went upstairs he got a drink, and we hung with his parents for a while. A few matches before number 23, we headed back down, and he reported in. Paul’s up again… and… just like that… it’s over. Paul lost his 3rd match and thus was eliminated.

I do feel really bad. I was hoping for the guys to win at least a few more. But you must understand, this is a HUGE event. And people come from all over the USA, Canada, and we even had a boy from Africa who was fighting today! WOW!

So the day was over for us well before 11AM. The boys hung out up top, and watched a few more matches. I told them to stay and I snuck off with Matt’s mom to do some shopping with a uniform vender. This is such a big event, and despite the loss, I’m proud of them for simply showing up. Win or loose I already had this planned.

So, what’s a sensei to buy his students? Why, new uniforms of course! But, not just any… You see in judo, the first name called to fight should wear a blue uniform, and the second name called wears white. Normally all students wear white, and we simply use a blue belt to distinguish 1st name and 2nd name for scoring. – High level events like Nationals require the blue uniform.

So… I picked up a size 1 (Paul’s size), and size 3 (Matt’s size), blue single-weave judo uniform for them. But hush now. They don’t know the uniforms are for them! I’ll give the uniforms to them on Monday at class. How cool is that? – I know they will be thrilled. All kids love the blue uniforms! But I’m sure it may make some other students enviable.

But either way, maybe. Just maybe, it will encourage others to fight! Because I would have done the same thing for any student going to this event. Just think if I would have had to buy 14 blue uniforms!!!

Authors note. This post was composed entirely on my new 17-inch MacBook Pro!

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Ok, so it’s not black and white, but… I could not resist the two hams…

All images shot with the Nikon D3 DSLR, and Nikon 70-200 2.8 AF-S VR lens. 1/640 @ f/2.8, ISO 3200. Image processing in Adobe Lightroom 2.3.

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I had three matches myself that day in Mens Open category at 145lbs (66kg)… My first match the guy just muscled me. I went in for a dropping shoulder throw and I missed! He got in behind me, and… choked me out… The good thing is you don’t remember much…

My second match I did much better… This time again with the dropping shoulder throw I got under the guy and planted him in the center of the matt with a perfect throw – Ippon! The match was over in less then 20-seconds. Nice crowed reaction too. Every one complimented me on the nice throw!

My third match I just screwed up. It was a skinny brown-belt guy, likely on the light side of 145lbs. I had control of him; or so I thought… At one point I actually moved his whole body with a foot-sweep, but… didn’t follow threw… He scored two, 1/2-point techniques on me, and the match was over… That one upset me more then being choked-out!

My students did well:

• Nick took 1st!
• Matt took 1st!
• Brandon took 2nd!
• Jason, Attended… He was my youngest student, sadly he did not place. But I’m very proud of him. It was his very first judo tournament.
• Paul took 2nd!
• Justin took 3rd!
• Sensei Andy took 3rd in Mens Masters Over 30.
• Friend, Dr. Andre Watson took 1st in Mens Masters and 2nd in Mens Open 90kg.

Here are a few of my photos of my friend Dr. Andre Watson (blue), member of the US Paralympic Blind Judo Team (90kg).

Today, Dr. Andre Watson won 1st Place in Mens Masters and 2nd Place in Mens Open categories at the 2009 Pennsylvania State Judo Championships. Late in 2008 Dr. Watson was promoted to Shodan, 1st Degree Black Belt in Kodokan Judo. – I’m telling you guys, don’t pick a fight with blind people! Some of us know judo!

If you want to learn more about visually disabled judo locally, please contact the Pottstown Judo Club and speak to (me) Sensei Rich, we’d be happy to help!

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To be honest, it’s not the fighting that worries me. I’m not afraid I’ll get hurt, after all I have been doing judo for 15-years now. It’s not the fact I’m in a black belt division, I can hold my own. – As a teacher, I am more worried about my students then myself… But what really bothers me is simply the travel of getting there and the new location.

I will be traveling with one of my students, as I often do, and I have traveled with them before. They know the drill, about not walking off and telling me where they will be. It seems silly, I’m an adult, I should not care about this kind of thing, should I?

Once we’re at the event, and I get oriented to the location, find bathrooms, locker rooms and mat locations. Chat with the guys I always see at these events… I’m fine… It’s the initial jump that often freezes me up and it’s so damn annoying!

As often is the case, I hide this fear very well. After all, students do not need to see me freaking out; hell, they are looking to me to calm them down! Until things get moving to occupy my mind, I’m in a state of “get me the hell out of here“… but when the task is at hand, be it photographing an event, or coaching my students, the fear switch clicks off, and I’m fine.

Elaine brought this up at our last lesson; when she was a bit surprised to my answer when she had asked, “How comfortable did you feel navigating the mall? – 1 to 5“… I told her a 3 out of 5… She says, “you hide it very well… You didn’t look nervous to me.” I don’t know what to say to that? I guess it’s all my years of teaching kids and having to show an assertive, confidante role.

I spend all my time building the confidence of others; only to realize I have little confidence in myself… Crap, did I just physco-analyze myself?

Thankfully though, thanks to some Ambien at least now days I can get some sleep before such events. That really helps, because I use to lay awake and dwell on the fear. (Relax folks, I only take the Ambien a few times a month, as needed only.) But you still need to wake up, and the fear is back, nervous, fidgety, not wanting to eat, force myself to eat breakfast, sweaty palms, upset stomach. It really sucks. – Normally about half way to the event, I manage to start feeling better.

But again it’s that initial jump! I’m really working to overcome this. That’s why I posted about it. So, do share your thoughts, please.

See you in the morning!

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I worked the class really hard last week, and played some different judo games I learned from my “101 Judo Games for Kids” DVD , Sensei Fred got me… Dude that DVD is SO COOL! If your a kids judo coach, you MUST get this DVD!

We did an under-over relay race, where one student belly crawled threw the others legs, turned, and then threw the standing student… That really got the blood move’n… Then we played “Snakes“, in this game we scatter sections of cut belts all over the mat, they are “Snakes“, the kids as partners, tug and pull for grip, and move there partner to try and get ‘bit‘… if you get bit (step on a belt), they get to throw you! …

Then we did another grip game, in groups of 3, one student has a cut belt section tucked in there judo obi, the other partner is a “human shield“, and the 3rd player must then try to get around BOTH and grab the cut belt… (they really liked this game)… We finished class with some foot sweeps, and then standing randori (free fighting). I so love that DVD, Sensei Fred got me! They all think they are having fun, when they are actually learning good judo skills!

This week we did the under-over relay race again for warm-ups. The a grip drill with the belt tabs, kind of like 2-hand tug-of-war… We finished that section of warm-ups with a body drag, where again you hold the two belt sections and pull your partner the whole length of the mat. This all helps with grip strength, that is very important in judo.

Then it was time for the fun! With the kids paired off with partners of equal size, and me going with student, Matt. We did the “Word Record” drill. Really very simple, you throw your partner as many times as you can with good throws, in 30-seconds! Slowest team does 10 push-ups!

We started with Osoto Gari – (Large Outer Reap), I managed 10, others managed as little as 4 others, 7 or 8 throws. Then we moved to Ouchi Gari - (Large Inner Reaping), I managed 10, others managed 8 or 9… By now, ever one was gasping for air; (should kids really sound like pack a day smokers?), but the fun was not over yet. We had one more round! We finished the set with Ippon Seonage – (One Arm Shoulder Throw), I managed 11, others managed 8 to 10 throws… By now we got sweat on the mat, and the kids are really sucking air bad… We rested for about 1-minute, and finished class with a 1-minute found of hard randori (standup fighting).

The kids will sleep tonight I guarantee it!

Well, with only one more class to go before States I’m fat… I need to loose 5lbs to make my weight class of 145lbs (66kg)… But I’m working at it… Riding my exercise bike almost every day… But if I don’t make it, thats fine too. I don’t like cutting weight, and I never advise any one to do it, it’s simply not healthy.

I really hope every one does well at States! They have worked so hard for me lately. I’m very proud them!

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The article was also featured on USA Judo, Paralympic Judo, and Pennsylvania Judo websites news sections. Thanks for the ping guys!

A few days after the article was published I received some nice congratulation letters from past teachers, and school district administration. I also received a nice congratulation letter and laminated front page clipping from Pennsylvania House Representative, Thomas Quigley, for making front page and a contribution to our community!

Fame, is a good thing.. 

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Photo by Kevin Hoffman, The Mercury

Judo brings equality for Pottstown man…
Brandie Kessler, Reporter, Pottstown Mercury:

One Pottstown man who often sat out during extracurricular activities as a boy because of his blindness is now leading dozens of local youngsters as they learn the ropes with the Pottstown Judo Club.

“Many people who are legally blind can see fairly well,” said Richard Favinger Jr., the youth instructor with the Pottstown Judo Club. “I’m one of them.”

As a child, Favinger often found himself alienated by other children who knew he was different and were cruel to him, but he was also alienated by the extracurricular programs for children such as baseball or football, or most of the other activities his classmates and peers were participating in. …

Read the rest of this article at the Pottstown Mercury website…

The article as written by local staff reporter Brandie Kessler, who several months ago did an equally inspiring article about a local boy who is both deaf and blind, and attends one of our local elementary schools.

Several months ago I had contacted her expressing my dismay as to the state of programs and sports available to local blind or disabled children. Simply put, there are few athletic programs offered or available to such kids. Many parents don’t even know such programs exist or know there are people, such as myself willing to help…

It’s also a fact I lived threw myself… that many parents, and there disabled children are simply scared, scared of rejection, scared they may get hurt, scared others will make fun of them, scared there children can not succeed because of there disability or because they are different. My aim was to disprove that…

We also wanted to make a point that, even though you have a disability, LET NO ONE TELL YOU, YOU CAN’T DO SOMETHING! You have so little to loose, and so much to gain, just give it a shot! There is ALWAYS a way… And with the right people to guide you, any one can learn, have a little fun, and kick a little ass!

Pottstown Judo will GLADLY accept ALL students who wish to learn the art of judo, including blind and visually disabled, or other disabilities, such as Cerebral Palsy. No parent should ever have to hear “We don’t accept disabled children“.

Friends, Cole and Matt both have CP… Cole participates in karate, and Matt participates in judo. You can read there blogs! Cole was also recognized on KarateAngles.com – Kids Hall of Fame (June 2007). (I wonder who nominated him?  )  and good friend Dr. Andre Watson who is blind, and a member of the 2008 USA Paralympic Blind Judo Team… are just some examples of our good friends.

So, won’t you come join us too? We’ll see you on the mat!

Please feel free to link or ping this article and post, and PLEASE pass it along to all your friends. If you want more information, just contact me, I’d be happy to help… And as always leave your comments!

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All adult members of the club passed as well! And I survived two sets of Nage no Kata as Uki… If your counting thats a total of 60 falls… (and 3 Advil)…

Judo Promotional Testing!

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Well tonight is the night… Promotion testing day is here. Almost my entire kids class is up for their next rank, except for four students; not for their lack of skill, simply lack of “time in grade”. We do have many kids who participate in other sports as well; some miss a fair amount of judo class to do other activities; and to be promoted you must put in your “time in grade”, at one level, before your can test again. The average for children is 6 to 8 months. – No worries, they can test next time.

The testing is strait forward… The child must know basic history of judo, who founded it, and where it came from, know basic terms we use every day in class, and counting in Japanese, among other things.

They must demonstrate their judo break-fall, and then show a variety of different techniques, including judo throws, hold-downs, depending on the belt level being tested for, being able to apply them and know the English and Japanese names. The whole test is conducted orally as only adults and higher up teenagers must take a written test. – Belts are then awarded after class to the ones who passed.

Promotions can be stressful for the kids, but what they fail to realize is that it is just as stressful for me. I’m a good teacher, but you always wonder, did I show enough, did they actually understand it, will they remember? I’m sure something every teacher goes threw on test day… We do not want to see out students fail.

Later on tonight we will also be conducting three adult promotions as well. For 1st Class Brown Belt, (the belt right before Black), and the other for a middle student rank… Adult promotions are a little more involved… Including a written test, demonstration of thrws, counters, and combinations… matt work including holds, chokes, and arm locks; and the guys going for 1st Class Brown must demonstrate Nage no Kata, “The Kata of Throws“… Consisting of Five Sets of Three Throws, preformed both right side, and left side, showing the five types of judo throw that are, Hand Technique, Hip Technique, Foot Technique, Back Sacrifice Technique, and Side Sacrifice Technique… – Not easy, and very tiring.

Here is a video of, Koaokan Judo Nage no Kata… Only one of many katas higher ranks must know.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Because I am the best Uki in the club, (I take very nice and safe falls) and I do take great pride in that… I was asked to be Uki, (the dude who will get thrown), for the katas… I don’t mind, really… But I can tell, this is going to be a 4-Advil night… Incase your wondering, thats 30-falls, for one kata. – I’ll regret it tomorrow.

Judo Promotional Testing! – Update

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Last weeks Orientation and Mobility was canceled because of bad weather, and for this week it is likely to be canceled as well, we have 4-inches of fresh snow outside at this moment. What a bummer.

My judo students as of late have been off the wall… No concentrating one bit. Not seeming to care that promotions are only ONE WEEK away. No one is going for a particularly high rank; the highest being from Yellow+Orange Stripe to Solid Orange Belts, and all others are lower; and a few first timers. (The kids are aged from 7 to 12).

Even Sensei Fred got in on some action, yelling at a student in the middle of class. It’s rare I see him yell, but man… The concentration factor for the past few weeks has been the pits! I guess I’m just too soft.

The PA State Judo Championships are March 14th, and training will soon pick up, for my students and myself. Though I really don’t feel like fighting, I should. I will likely have to loose about 6 or 7 pounds to get down to my fight weight of 65kg (145lbs); that should not be too hard.

In other news, I did manage to find a photo of our friend Andre on the Getty Wire Service photo archive from the 2008 Paralympic Games. Andre fights for the USA Blind Judo Team, and is a good friend of ours at the judo club; he comes to train with us some times.

Andre Watson, Image Copyright Getty 2008

I managed to send the photo to Coach Marc, Team Leader for the USA Paralympic Blind Judo Team (whom we know from Andre); to which I get the always-prodding e-mail reply of… “Just think, in 4-years you could represent the United States in London. It would be a shame to see your judo talent go unrewarded.“

Well, yes… Most normal people would say GO FOR IT are you NUTS… But we do still have that travel anxiety we’re working on, remember? And to be honest… I don’t know why he thinks I’m that good… It’s not like I compete every month… Then there is that little thing about qualifying for the team first they forget to tell you about.

The fact is there are very few visually impaired judo players in the United States; and when one comes along, the coaches do every thing in their power to try and snatch us up. So, as much as I’d like to cross the pond; I think I need to take some smaller steps first.

Your comments are always welcome. And I will likely be posting a little more information about Blind Judo in the future, even the process of becoming a Paralympic Judo player, if you’d like to know.

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I have been in the martial art of Kodokan Judo for over 15 years now. I’ve been assisting with our kids class at Pottstown Judo since 1999 and the rank of Sankyu (3rd Level Brown Belt, judos student ranks go backwards 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1)… I received my Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) in 2007.

Judo (translated “Gentle Way”) though not really “Gentle” at all… Is the modern form of Japanese Ju-jitsu (Not that Brazilian stuff). Japanese Ju-Jitsu, is one of the oldest forms practiced by the Samurai. To this day JUDO is one of the most practiced martial arts on the global scale; and is second only to soccer as a world sport. Judo is both an Olympic AND Paralympic (for the blind) sport…

Click here to view the embedded video.

Judo Promotional Video by the Kyoto Judo Team, Japan.

Please note: The Paralympics is not to be confused with the Special Olympics; not the same program folks…

I started judo as a teenager at around 7th grade… Why? BULLIES!…

As a child with very bad eyesight other kids can be REAL assholes… Shoveling you down steps, calling you names (names hurt very much too), hiding things, like books, and gym uniforms… And just being plain jerks.

Why not karate? Well, for a person who can’t see, do you really want some one trying to punch or kick you in the head?… I don’t think so. Wrestling? I did try for a short time, but then got ill (over 2 weeks) and missed too much class to continue.

Many teachers knew my plight (I was always teachers pet; and I still have MANY friends in the school system today), and got to talk to Mr. Hobbs (School Disciplinarian) ~ they now call them “Resource Officers” today… and he gave me info on Pottstown Judo; he says BE THERE… I think they can help you. (Yea right!).

Mom, mom… I want to do J-U-D-O… um, ok she says… and we set off for the class, at 7PM, Tuesday, in the schools Wrestling Building… We see others arriving in there ‘pajamas‘, and make our way in, to sit and watch.

Who do I see? Mr. Hobbs! HOLY CRAP!… As I sit and watch him, teach his class of students (about 20 of all ages, boys and girls)… I’m in shock! He demos with Sensei West, showing amazing moves, flipping him up, and over… over his leg, over his hip, over his back, over his foot… doing a foot sweep… that makes the man look like he slipped on ice, putting him vertical, three feet off the ground, landing him flat to his back like he was nothing but air it self. (The throw in question – demo!)

After the demo and the class received their instruction of what to do. He excused him self, turning the class over to Sensei West, and walked over to me.

Good evening he says (to me and mom), I’m glad you could make it… So, what did you think? As I reply nervously “I never knew you did martial arts“… he says, he does not always tell school students what he does … that he’s been teaching judo for over 30 years … and he’s a 3rd Degree Black Belt. WOW!

I’m sold… I think it’s magic, mom thinks I’m nuts… But 15 years later, here I am, the 1st Degree Black Belt myself, and teaching a group of 15+ kids of my own. I’ve almost never missed a day of class unless I was on my death bed… and have out lasted 3 head sensei for Pottstown Judo, as Sensei Hobbs and Sensei West moved away… and our clubs founder Sensei Dr. Heifer (The former Superintendent of our schools; imagine that?) and 6th Degree Black Belt retired.

I’m still here… Helping other kids like me!

Knowing so many in the school system back then who did judo. Sensei, Dr. Heifer, 6th Dan (Superintendent), Sensei, Hobbs, 3rd Dan (Junior High Disciplinarian), Sensei West, 1st Dan (Senior High Disciplinarian)… I can’t help but wonder that IF our US school systems where like Japans; where they practice judo for physical education… our schools would be a lot safer, and kids would respect their parents and teachers a lot more.

Besides, it’s frik’n AWESOME to know your school Superintendent is a 6th Degree Black Belt, and can really kick you ass! And not just with his Ph.D intellectually!

Want to learn more about judo? Visit, The Judo Information Site or The Pottstown Judo Club OR feel free to contact me directly for more judo information.

Pottstown Judo will GLADLY accept ALL students who wish to learn the art of judo, including blind and visually disabled, or other disabilities, such as Cerebral Palsy. No parent should ever have to hear “We don’t accept disabled children“.

Friends, Cole and Matt both have CP… Cole participates in karate, and Matt participates in judo. You can read there blogs! Cole was also recognized on KarateAngles.com – Kids Hall of Fame (June 2007). (I wonder who nominated him? )  and good friend Dr. Andre Watson who is blind, and a member of the 2008 USA Paralympic Blind Judo Team… are just some examples!

Till next time… Sensei Rich

Also see: Blind and visually impaired children learn about judo…

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The tournament went well, about 75 kids showed up (that’s about normal for a developmental event).

No one got hurt, and every one had fun! Sensei Fred and Andy refed a few matches, and I coached. We did good!!! Galen (his first ever event), won 3rd… He even managed to take his 2nd match to “Golden Score” (it’s what we call Sudden Death – aka a 2nd full 2min match incase of a tie score, first point wins.), Matt won 2nd… and … Paul, and Dylan both got FIRST PLACE! For both it was there very first ‘1st’ finish at an event. Weeee! And ‘big’ Paul (one of our adults) got first (won both matches by Ippon – Full Pint, perfect throw!)

In all it was a well-run, nice event as always from Liberty Bell Judo. All proceeds from this event went to benefit the 2009 Maccabean Judo Team, who will be traveling to Israel to fight in the 2009 Maccabean Games.

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• 2009 Pennsylvania State Judo Championships

NEW YORK, Nov 12, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX

Blind and visually impaired children from the New York City area will learn about the history and techniques of the ancient sport of Judo from Paralympic Silver Medalist, Andre Watson, and the 2008 Paralympic Judo Team Leader, Marc Vink, on Saturday, November 15, 2008, at Modern Martial Arts in Manhattan. This event is sponsored by FamilyConnect(TM) — the national multimedia web resource for parents of children with visual impairments located at www.familyconnect.org and developed by the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and the National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI) — and the Blind Judo Foundation — a non-profit which serves to promote Judo to the blind and visually impaired community.

Saturday’s event will focus on the Olympic sport of Judo–a system of self-defense, and physical and mental discipline that aims to develop self-confidence, character, and independence in life. Attendees will be given a description of the history of Judo and an opportunity to participate in a hands-on Judo demonstration. They will learn the basics of body awareness and how to properly and securely fall; understand the importance of balance and its role in the sport; and discover how the physical capacities of Judo permit better adaptation to every day life. In addition, the children and their families will see the important roles exercise, mental focus, and sportsmanship play in empowering children who are blind or visually impaired to reach their full potential.

To reserve your spot, contact Jeanette Christie at (718) 519-7000, ext. 127, or Jaynycnapvi@aol.com.
WHEN: Saturday, November 15, 2008, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
WHERE: Modern Martial Arts, 780 8th Avenue (between 47th & 48th Sts), New York, NY
Learn More…

It should be noted that Dr. Andre Watson trains with us on occasion at Pottstown Judo, and has been a goof friend for many years. Andre has a master’s and doctorate degrees in clinical psychology from Widener University.

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It’s in NE Philly, about one hour away, so I’m riding up with Paul, and his dad. I hope they all do well, Sensei Fred and I are planning a promotion shortly after the event (few weeks).

We worked every one really hard tonight! We did lots of throwing drills. And we did the last 4 rounds with me throwing EVERY ONE. Working on the 4 major throws every one knows. Major outside leg throw, major hip throw, minor inside leg throw, and shoulder throw!!!

Think I made a few of em’ dizzy, we went very fast! My back hurts now, LOL… some of you kids are heavier then ya’ll look! Let see… 11 students X 4 rounds… I did 44 throws in about 5min. uggg. A quick drink, and then a vigorous round of randori before the end of the kids class. Every one was sucking air!

Stay tuned…

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