Reality about becoming an Olympic Rep.

Using the Olympic Games as an example, the average medalist in Olympic judo is around 25 years of age and has at least eight years experience in judo. But because of the current IJF point system, an aspiring Olympian needs to be racking up points on the international circuit at least three years prior to the Games.  So, as of 2012, a judoka hoping to make the 2016 Olympic team needs to be in his or her early twenties, and competing in World Championships and Grand Slams by 2013. This also means that the players need to be National senior champions, in their weight division, within the next year or two.

If the long term goal is the 2020 Games, eight years from today, then the athlete needs to be competing internationally by 2017. Taking that a step further, and in an ideal world, that same athlete should be sixteen or seventeen years old today and already winning in junior competition. By 2014 that athlete should be winning in the Under 20 division, and by 2016 taking medals in the Senior Nationals. That is the reality of making it to the Olympics in judo – even though there have been exceptions, with athletes taking medals in their early thirties. But most of those had also competed in previous Olympics. 

The issues discussed above only address the training and competition requirements. The biggest hurdle for the aspiring World or Olympic champion is financial support. It costs between $2,000 and $2,500 to attend each international competition in Europe, taking into account airfares, hotels, meals, ground transportation, entry fees, etc. And this does not include time off work or away from school, or the costs related to any sports related injuries.         

Unless you are fortunate enough to have been born into a very wealthy family, the only way to earn the necessary support and sponsorship to compete internationally is to first demonstrate your commitment, dedication and talent on the local stage. And this means training harder and smarter than “the other guy,” being a positive role model to the next generation of judoka, and medaling in every tournament you enter. But until you get the necessary sponsorship to train internationally (Japan or France), the shorai is one of the best sources of competition development training. Shorai training and local tournaments will be the first steps on a very long and arduous journey to international success. The next step is to seek the assistance of a high performance coach who can help you through the various training plateaus.      

Mark Lonsdale, National Coach 

 the USA.