QPJC Saturday Morning Special #3 - March 29, 2025
March 29, 2025: I’ve been at loggerheads trying to find a suitable name for our end of month special sessions on Saturdays. Well, as the heading above suggests, I’ve finally come up with one! I resisted the temptation of calling it “Dojo Shiai” because that is just one-third of what happens. The other 2 include Group Training and Randori which are all important to one’s journey in judo.
The first component was Group Training from 10-11 am where we try to bring all age groups and levels together to strengthen the connection between them. We all learn from each other, and this is an opportunity for people who never see each other in training to make some sort of link. Learning is much more fulfilling when there is a wide tapestry of personalities, skills, knowledge, etc. on hand. I’d like to see more people attending this part to broaden the teaching/learning experience.
The second part was Dojo Shiai #3, 11 am to 12 pm. We continued the trend of good participation among 11 club members with their competition skills on display. Shiai or competition is a part of judo, some like it, are indifferent or don’t like it at all, but it is still a part of judo. When one is of age and has enough judo experience, one must take part in at least one Shiai to complement one’s development in judo. The aim in Shiai is not just to win, it is to win well. Doing one’s best in the process is to come out with an outright victory by Ippon or Full Point. One must also win with humility or lose with grace, so that anyone who didn’t see the match wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between victor and vanquished. This is the ideal, but it’s not always adhered to, even at international levels. The contest results for the day are attached, and will be included in everyone’s profile, even if Shiai isn’t necessary for that person to move up in rank.
Finally, between 12:00 and 12:30 pm we had Randori practice, which isn’t competition! It is, however, the biggest part of what we do in judo all over the world. Unlike the previous two, this activity is the only one where everyone can practice together – big or small, young or old, all genders, and black belt or white belts. This is the opportunity for us to practice what we’ve learned and for self-improvement, while at the same time helping our partners with their judo.
We have some pictures of the event which include gradings or tests for those who moving up in rank. I hope you enjoy them.
Our next Saturday Morning Special is scheduled for April 26th at the same time, 10 am to 12:30 pm. See you then!
Mark Littrean
The first component was Group Training from 10-11 am where we try to bring all age groups and levels together to strengthen the connection between them. We all learn from each other, and this is an opportunity for people who never see each other in training to make some sort of link. Learning is much more fulfilling when there is a wide tapestry of personalities, skills, knowledge, etc. on hand. I’d like to see more people attending this part to broaden the teaching/learning experience.
The second part was Dojo Shiai #3, 11 am to 12 pm. We continued the trend of good participation among 11 club members with their competition skills on display. Shiai or competition is a part of judo, some like it, are indifferent or don’t like it at all, but it is still a part of judo. When one is of age and has enough judo experience, one must take part in at least one Shiai to complement one’s development in judo. The aim in Shiai is not just to win, it is to win well. Doing one’s best in the process is to come out with an outright victory by Ippon or Full Point. One must also win with humility or lose with grace, so that anyone who didn’t see the match wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between victor and vanquished. This is the ideal, but it’s not always adhered to, even at international levels. The contest results for the day are attached, and will be included in everyone’s profile, even if Shiai isn’t necessary for that person to move up in rank.
Finally, between 12:00 and 12:30 pm we had Randori practice, which isn’t competition! It is, however, the biggest part of what we do in judo all over the world. Unlike the previous two, this activity is the only one where everyone can practice together – big or small, young or old, all genders, and black belt or white belts. This is the opportunity for us to practice what we’ve learned and for self-improvement, while at the same time helping our partners with their judo.
We have some pictures of the event which include gradings or tests for those who moving up in rank. I hope you enjoy them.
Our next Saturday Morning Special is scheduled for April 26th at the same time, 10 am to 12:30 pm. See you then!
Mark Littrean
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