have changed since I started and I am no longer interested in judo primarily as a means of self defense, but self defense was my main motive when
I began.
Judo also is really beautiful to
watch when it is done well. I recall watching people in randori on the first
day I came to class and thinking how amazing it was that people could lift one
another and make it look so graceful. My love of judo has only increased with
my understanding and appreciation of the strength, coordination, timing, and
effort that it takes to perform techniques properly.
Q: Judo, like many other sports is male dominated. However,
unlike other sports judo practices integrate males and females. It is not
uncommon for men and women to randori one another in practice. Do you think
this beneficial? Why or why not?
I do think it is beneficial for men
and women to randori one another in practice. Practicing judo helps you
understand how different people respond to your movements. Being able to
predict how your partner will respond to your movements makes you a better
player. This understanding can be gained whether you are working with a male or
a female partner.
Q: Do you think that judo could benefit by restructuring to
be more female friendly? An example may be to redesign the gi or change rules.
I enjoy judo for what it is and I
don’t think the rules should change. That being said, I would like to see more
women in the sport. Perhaps this could be accomplished by media attention and
public recognition of the sport and its accomplished female athletes. If young
women see the sport more frequently and see that there are female role models
in the sport, they might be more likely to participate.
Q: As a coach I notice that females are ignored in practices
by their male counterparts. For example, when I tell students to switch
partners the males try to ignore the females. As a female judoka, do you feel
that you have been overlooked because of your gender?
I am fortunate to have an
instructor who values me as much as he values my male counterparts and to
practice with men who are caring and inclusive of me in the dojo. I also make
an effort to involve myself in class. When asked to switch partners, I try to
choose a partner for myself rather than wait to be chosen. If you want to be
involved, you need to take responsibility for involving yourself regardless of
whether you are male or female.
Q: Do you use judo or its philosophies in everyday life?
Judo has made me a more patient
person. I tend to be a perfectionist and judo has taught me that perfection is
something to work towards, not something with which we are born.
I also use examples from judo
directly in my teaching of undergraduate science courses. In my physics
courses, I often illustrate physical concepts related to leverage, gravity,
force, torque, Newton’s Laws, and rotational motion using examples from judo.
Most students have never seen examples like this before and, because these
examples are so unusual, it often helps students learn and remember these
concepts.
Bio
I teach undergraduate science courses at the University of
North Carolina School of the Arts. I have practiced judo for six and a half
years at the Nito Judo Club with Sensei Woody Bostic and have been promoted to
the rank of sankyu during that time. My accomplishments include a gold medal at
the 2007 US Open in the -63kg masters division and a gold medal at the 2009
Senior National Championships in the -63kg masters division. In 2011, I’ve
earned four gold medals, three silver medals, and a bronze medal in local
competitions.
