01/28/2023
The reason judo hasn’t become popularized in the United States can’t necessarily be blamed on one specific thing. I am amazed on a daily basis by how strong our community is. For many years, I stopped giving back to the sport. Whether it be for life advice or to answer questions about no gi judo adaptations for private BJJ students of mine…every single judoka I have reached out to has helped me, (even after a multitude of years without any contact). New ones, that I have no history with, have assisted me on learning new aspects of judo at almost 40 years or age. I truly wish USA Judo would focus on the amazing attributes of all of the judokas out there that, personally, have helped me not only in judo, but in life. The selling point is more about the fortitude, perseverance and overall character building that most other sports don’t necessarily commit so strongly to. Every sport has a few crappy human beings, but my God, judo really does have some amazing human beings.
