As the title suggests, it’s been 6 weeks since I underwent surgery to reattach my left bicep muscle to the bone. I’m finally able to type without any aggravation, I’m also able to supinate and pronate my hand (there’s only minor pain now) and I can straighten my arm fully with effort (yay! progress!). To […]
Author: Curmudgeon In Chief
I took some time out from writing as I suffered an injury, significant enough to take me out of training for a while. It happened while I was sparring in a no-gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class: I was trying to grab somebody in a collar grip with my stronger, left arm. Before I knew it my […]
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Defining what is “Beautiful Judo”
To the uninitiated, Judo is an odd combat sport where two opponents push and pull each other by their jackets. They seem to try to off-balance each other one minute, then there’s action on the floor, and then they’re up again. To the slightly more initiated, Judo is just plain kamikaze action where you’re trying […]
In previous posts I’ve written about the benefits of cross-training in both Judo and Brazilian JiuJitsu (BJJ). Hot on the heels of my success in a Judo 2nd Kyu/Blue Belt competition months ago I decided to enter a no-gi BJJ competition. The competition I entered was the British NoGi Open – it happened in early […]
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Heart rate-based training for Judo
In my recent Judo competition I found myself continually out of breathe. This happens to competitors of all stripes naturally but it got me thinking about what can be done to improve my fitness levels. Short of hiring a Judo-specific personal trainer I’ve looked into the latest wearable health technology and my findings are summarised […]
With Covid 19 largely behind us, British Judo has permitted competitions around the country to take place again. My coach sent an email to members about an upcoming competition at the Dartford Judo club, celebrating the NHS (and raising funds for them too). “What the heck” I thought and promptly signed up. My nerves before […]
The great thing about living in the internet age is the amount of access anyone can have to the greats of Judo. Gone are the days where you relied on mail-order VHS cassettes for instructionals or travelling far and wide for a Judo course held by an accomplished Judoka. A cursory search on Youtube grants […]
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The bane of even mild Judo injury
A couple Fridays ago I injured my foot. It was during randori, I was attempting a classic forward/backward technique feint. I moved in for a hip throw, forcing my opponent onto me. I was deliberately slow waiting for them to brace themselves backwards to which I went back also and attempted a ko-uchi gari to […]
I’m a recreational judo player, I enjoy the sport, I’m comfortable with the fact that I’m not getting invited to a Grand Slam any time soon. I’ve not invested in additional time/effort/expense to get further because I have other higher priorities at this current point in time (my daughters clearly at the no.1 spot here!). […]
Your choice of judo club and training partners says a lot about you, your motivations and aspirations..