Dear Judo Kong,
I have to confess that it was with a
sinking heart that I read your report of the changes afoot at University Judo and
the moves to split with Judo and become a MMA and BJJ club.
As you all know, I was once a staunch
progressive, advocating for the reform of Judo. However, recent events have forced
me to reconsider my position. A short
while back I founded the WTF—the Word Throwing arts Federation. This was done
in a bid to unify the “throwing” disciplines and create an umbrella
organisation for the IFJ, Kodokan Judo, the UFC, various BJJ organisations,
Aikido and possibly even the WWE. The basic premise was power through unity. Admittedly,
the initiative may have worked barring the investigation of what some have
called slight anomalies with our accounts (I believe the charges raised in the
hearing related to tax evasion and money laundering). But I have now come to
see that I was wrong. Being required to retreat for a period of up to 3-5 years,
pending good behaviour, to this fraternal, men’s recreation and health facility has
rekindled my love and appreciation for the purity of Judo.
Admittedly, the propaganda being generated
by the MMA/BJJ crowd is persuasive (I have taken the liberty of attaching a
recent specimen that I have watched several times).
It certainly serves it purposes in this facility (where rec
time is tightly managed by the hospitality staff), but it must, ultimately, be
regarded as puerile filth and it is not-work-safe. I strongly urge the Masters of University Judo
to fight back and resist these initiatives by the sub-masters. Everyone in New Zealand recognises that University Judo plays the pivotal role in the promotion of New Zealand Judo. When University is strong, New Zealand Judo is strong.
Yours in Judo,
Ramses Gold
12th Dan (Yawarra Judo).
as there is no forum for general comments i will post this here.
ReplyDeletei think the next article should be ' feudalism comes to nz judo' in light of the new bylaws passed concerning members ability to grade overseas - what they must remember whenever you pass a law there is always a loophole i.e. like that proverbial rat backed into a corner with yellow fangs gleaming looking like a fearsome opponent it finds a way to get round totalitarian rule makers of the syndrome;
"close the pub i'm pissed OR blow the bridge i'm across"
you get my drift.
in any event. this NZQA approach to grading will only put the frightens on any prospective new students, bjj and mma the beneficiaries, (likely teenage or adult 1st lookers who come in and walk off 3 weeks later) and judo will continue to become more elitist with a very narrow base - totally contrary to the everyman sport the founder envisaged.
are we going to see microchipping of players in due course i wonder?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqkMsXcHQYg
in the interest be all things to all people i note there has been insufficient focus at national level on newaza. i respectfully ask the executive to consider an invitation to the 'ground arts' practitioner mentioned in this link as i feel he has something to contribute;
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66gMk7k7QgY