Tradition and the Pending Torture of Henry Wu

Club loyalty is a touchy subject in New Zealand Judo circles. On one hand, Judo in kiwiland is too small for competitive judoka to remain bound and isolated in one club. They need the challenge of new sparing partners. On the other hand, however, inter-club rivalry is one of the best motors for competitive development. University Judo remains staunch in its belief that it is possible to have the best both worlds. One of the mechanism by which this finely tuned and balanced state is preserved is the tradition of welcoming people back onto the mat after an extended absence by torturing them. Jordan, for example, is not allowed back until he can line up everyone up in the club and smash them. Everyone will try their best to welcome him home with an ippon, a strangle, or an arm bar. If he loses then it’s back to Japan. If he wins he will have become complicit in the cycle of violence and stand at the forefront of the welcoming committee. Another example is Henry Wu. Henry is off to Spain. The club wishes him well and would like to let him know that by the time he has returned Rob will undoubtedly have invented a new welcome home waza that may involve him being resuscitated. Good luck Henry. See you back on the mat soon!