In Japan I'm a Black Belt. In America...not so Much

Two days ago I had my test to get my black belt. One of the differences between Judo in America and Judo in Japan is the acquisition of said belt of blackness. In the states, I have read that it takes upwards of six years to get your black belt. I've been doing Judo in total for under full year. The difference comes in the meaning of what the black belt represents. In the States, a black belt signifies that you basically know every move that the Kodokan has included in its tournament legal set. That last sentence could very well be a lie, but the point is that you will be good if you are a black belt. Take a quick second and try to spot me in that picture. One of this things is not like the other... In Japan, a black belt seems like it means that you are now ready to be an official student. You have some basics, and now its time to start learning. I only know fourteen or so throws. Since I'm taller than everyone at my dojo in Nagahama I don't even use seven of them.

But why are Japanaese Judoka so good? I was thinking about this over a glass of thirst quenching oolong tea. I believe the difference is that a sandan(third degree) black belt in Japan is probably a college student, lets say in his forth year of college. Why is this sandan now on the same level of an American sandan? I think its due to Judo being a school sport here. A college kid in the states probably goes two or three times a week and trains. The student in Japan in on the school's judo team. That means that for three years in middle school, three years in high school, and four years at university he is probably training in Judo six days a week. At certain high schools in Shiga where the Judo is serious, they have weight training in the morning before school and Judo after school. The amount of training they go through to reach the next two or three degrees is fairly intense. I could be wrong about all of this but it just seems to make sense doesn't it?

Now on to the tournament. Everyone was placed at random into groups of four. It was really funny to everyone look at the list and then realize that a foreigner was in the group. They would look around for him, and when they saw me they just put their head down and got a worried look. Except the cop, he just stared me down. So in all truthfulness I was a little nervous because one of the middle schoolers at my dojo is almost as tall as me and is a really strong kid. He is able to throw me quite often, so my image of this tournament was me having to go up against three people just like him. I was quite wrong. Due to me fear though, the first match I was a little stiff and walked out toward him like Frankenstein, or a bully depending on whose view your coming from. So my opponent tried to go for a fairly basic throw called an Uchimata. I countered it. You can't hear it in the video but everyone who was watching let a little scream out. After this first one I loosened right up and went to my normal game.

The next kid was a little bit spastic. I let him grab me because that way I can grab him. Once I get my hand on him then I can control him. During ground work in Judo, you are never supposed to give your opponent the arm. That results in arm bars which can result in broken or hyper extended elbows. My friend Myles had to break two peoples elbows to get his belt, and I just had my left arm hyper extended a bit ago. Needles to say that you don't make that mistake again.

This last guy was the police officer of the group. He was better than everyone else but still gave me his arm. When we went to the ground I was originally going to go for a pin but he just let his arm hang out.

So now I'm a black belt. When I get it I'll put up a picture. So now that I have it I actually have to get good. To do so I'm going start training with the Brazilians to improve my groundwork. So that was my Sunday morning. Afterward went for some Indian with Mike Bass, Myles, Nancy, and Nancy's friend whose name I don't remember. All in all a good day. Unless of course your that kid from the first video.