How Many Have You Seen? The ‘60s were an exploratory time for cinema and martial arts films were no different. Bringing us kung fu directing juggernauts like King Hu and Chang Cheh, this decade laid the groundwork for the stunning era of Bruce Lee cinema to follow. Here are 9 of the most notable and influential martial arts movies from that decade: 9. Dragon Inn (1967): Directed by King Hu. Set during the Ming Dynasty in China, the story follows a group of skilled warriors and spies who find themselves embroiled in a treacherous power struggle. The film showcases impressive swordplay and martial arts choreography, with its iconic fight scenes and atmospheric tension capturing the essence of wuxia cinema. "Dragon Inn" is known for its memorable characters, intricate plot twists, and visually striking cinematography. Watch kung fu classics for free on Black Belt+ . 8. Come Drink with Me (1966): Directed by King Hu, this wuxia film is widely regarded as a classic. It showcased Cheng Pei-pei as a skilled female martial artist, challenging traditional gender roles in martial arts cinema. 7. The One-Armed Boxer (1967): Directed by Jimmy Wang Yu, this film featured Wang Yu as a one-armed martial artist seeking revenge. It popularized the "one-armed" trope and influenced future martial arts movies. 6. The Sword of Doom (1966): Although a Japanese film, it had a significant impact on the martial arts genre. Directed by Kihachi Okamoto, it offered a dark and gritty portrayal of a skilled swordsman's descent into violence. 5. The Assassination (1969): Directed by Chang Cheh, this film showcased intricate fight choreography and introduced Ti Lung as a leading martial arts star, further popularizing the heroic bloodshed genre. 4. The Chinese Boxer (1969): Directed by Jimmy Wang Yu, this film is often credited as the first Hong Kong martial arts film to feature "bare-handed" fighting techniques. It influenced the subsequent wave of kung fu movies. 3. Golden Swallow (1968): Directed by Chang Cheh, it reunited Cheng Pei-pei and Jimmy Wang Yu from "Come Drink with Me." The film further solidified their status as martial arts icons and featured innovative fight scenes. 2. The Flying Dagger (1969): Directed by Chang Cheh, this film starred Jimmy Wang Yu and introduced the concept of throwing weapons in martial arts action, setting the stage for future weapon-centric movies. 1. One-Armed Swordsman (1967): Directed by Chang Cheh, this film introduced a new wave of heroic bloodshed genre, revolutionizing the portrayal of martial arts heroes with complex characters and intense action sequences. These movies played a crucial role in shaping martial arts cinema in the 1960s, leaving a lasting impact on the genre and inspiring future generations of filmmakers and martial artists. How many have you seen? Catch classic martial arts for free on Black Belt+ . Black Belt+ is the biggest martial arts digital platform in history. From its rich history spanning over 60 years, the platform includes thousands of remastered instructional videos, martial arts movies, documentaries, and, of course, digital issues and articles from the iconic Black Belt Magazine . The new app is available on iOS and Android mobile devices and tablets. Or download and subscribe directly from Black Belt at plus.blackbeltmag.com .

Sandbagger. Every gym has at least one. I’m sure you think of a particular person in your gym when the word is mentioned. The term is used a lot in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, especially among competitors. It’s also not likely to be used as a compliment. It gets thrown around here and there, even when it doesn’t necessarily apply. What Does Sandbagging Mean? What exactly is a sandbagger? Why is it generally a bad thing to be one? How do people get labeled as a sandbagger? These are all questions that can arise from people who are new to the jiu-jitsu scene, and it’s time everyone got a solid definition of what the word really means. “Sandbagging” and “sandbagger” are terms used to describe someone who is sitting at the same belt level for a significant period of time. They also can refer to someone who is held back from a promotion despite winning tournaments that prove the person is ready for the next belt. How Does Sandbagging Happen? It can happen for several reasons. In fact, there are so many that no one could tell you all of them. It’s important to realize that a BJJ promotion occurs only when your professor or coach decides you’re ready for your next belt, and different coaches conduct their promotions in different ways. In BJJ, there is no worldwide standard for promotions. Your jiu-jitsu lineage makes a big difference, and often you get promoted differently if you’re a competitor or a recreational practitioner. Additionally, some gyms promote students based on attendance, some based on improvement and attitude, and others based on the amount of time students have had their belt. Sandbagging … The Coach’s Choice It’s necessary to keep in mind that teammates and competitors can’t just choose which belt to wear, so they should not be picked on or criticized if they’ve had their belt longer than what you think is appropriate. Ultimately, it’s the coach’s decision. Thirty or more years ago in some lineages, if a student asked for a belt, it was common for the teacher to hold back the student an additional two years just for asking. Today, it is still uncouth to ask to be promoted, and many coaches will hold you back longer for it. Sandbagging Is Not Always Bad That said, sometimes holding back a student from a promotion can be necessary. The student might have stopped training at some point due to injury, work or another life event. Or the person could be stuck at the same belt because of age. A good example of this is AOJ’s Cole Abate. There’s no doubt the 17-year-old prodigy has made quite a name for himself. Beating high-level black belts while still a blue belt can stir up a lot of drama in the jiu-jitsu world. Many call Cole Abate a sandbagger and unfairly judge the decision of Prof. Guilherme Mendes and Prof. Rafael Mendes — aka the Mendes brothers — to keep him at the same belt. These people fail to consider that if his teachers were to promote Cole Abate to purple belt, he would no longer be allowed to compete through the IBJJF because there is no juvenile purple-belt division. Is it fair for them to take away more opportunities for Cole Abate at such a young age strictly because he’s proved that he’s better than so many people? Not at all. As previously mentioned, this is a perfect example of how sandbagging can be appropriate. The Same Jiu-Jitsu Journey The beauty of BJJ is that everyone is on the same journey. However, we’re all taking different roads. Some people might take longer, while others might follow a shorter path. In the end, everyone deserves the privilege of enjoying their journey to wherever their path leads. Support one another, and don’t be quick to judge if someone is taking longer than you are. Your road may be shorter, but that doesn’t make you any better than anyone else.

The popularity of Brazilian jiu-jitsu has grown by leaps and bounds in the last few decades. Roughly twenty years ago, Mike Ross, a friend of mine at work, was starting his journey in the expanding world of BJJ. A conversation we had piqued my interest in the art, but it was yet to be my time. Now, he successfully runs a school in Michigan. Many years later, while holding the rank of black belt in multiple systems, by a twist in fate, I found myself in BJJ class in Los Angeles, starting over once again at white belt for the fourth time. Those classes were with Professor Gustavo Gasperin. It was with Mr. Gasperin that I found my bearings in BJJ. I later moved back to my hometown in Ohio and searched for what would be my next grappling school. There, I met Mr. Cable, whom I train with to this day. I have found intriguing insight and perspective from each of these men over the years. If you have any interest in BJJ, I trust you will find some valuable pearls of wisdom as well. To the interview… Would you tell us a little about yourself and your school? Mike Ross: I’d be happy to. I started training Brazilian jiu-jitsu/Mixed Martial Arts in January of 2006 under the Rigan Machado affiliation. I am the head instructor/owner of Mamba Brazilian Jiu Jitsu . My training early on consisted of No-Gi BJJ, wrestling, Muay Thai, boxing, and kickboxing. I utilized aspects of all these arts and developed a well-rounded MMA fighting style. I went on to have my 1st MMA fight in August of 2009, where I won by first-round TKO. I later fought for the 185lb TXC title in October 2009, where I became an MMA champion. I have been teaching BJJ in Dexter, MI, since 2009. I was awarded my BJJ black belt in 2014 by my instructor Tyrone Gooden (4th degree Rigan Machado black belt). I’m blessed to have such a great group of students that train at my school. Jason Cable : Sure, thanks for having me. I’m a 3rd degree Black Belt under Professor Clark Gracie. I have 2 beautiful kids, Brody and Chloe. I really enjoy teaching and watching others succeed and reach their potential and goals. I have fought MMA and have been teaching Gracie jiu-jitsu for 20 years. I still enjoy competing and watching my kids compete in jiu-jitsu. My Academy is Gracie Allegiance Ohio . Gracie Allegiance was founded by Professor Clark Gracie. Professor Clark Gracie’s dad is Grandmaster Carley Gracie, the first to bring Brazilian jiu-jitsu to America in 1971 when the Marines asked him to come over. Grandmaster Carley Gracie is the 11th child of Gracie jiu-jitsu Founder Grandmaster Carlos Gracie. I try to make my academy feel very welcoming and want everyone to feel like family. I want everyone to learn self-defense and to build self-confidence and have a fun time doing it. I opened Gracie Allegiance Ohio in 2020. We offer kids and adult classes. Gustavo Gasperin: Of course. Thank you for the question. I hold a 3rddegree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under the tutelage of Fabricio Werdum. I began my BJJ journey back in 1997 while residing in Brazil. In 2004, I relocated to the United States when I was a purple belt. Currently, I have the privilege of teaching at two prominent gyms in Los Angeles: Uprise MMA and Dynamix MMA . As both of these gyms primarily focus on mixed martial arts (MMA), our training emphasis leans more towards No-Gi grappling rather than the traditional Gi-based training. What got you into jiu-jitsu? MR: I got into BJJ as something to do to fill my competitive edge. After playing D-1 college basketball, I turned to BJJ/MMA to fill that void. BJJ was something that always interested me, but I never had the time to do it because of other sports. Once I started training, I became hooked. I wanted to get good as fast as possible. I consistently trained 5-6 days a week. GG : I was first drawn to jiu-jitsu as a means of staying active during the week while still being able to pursue my passion for surfing on the weekends back when I was living in Brazil. Additionally, many of my surfer friends were already practicing jiu-jitsu and would frequently invite me to join them for a class. After some consideration, I eventually decided to give it a try and joined a gym. JC: I got a little training in jiu-jitsu while I was in the Marine Corp. I really enjoyed it but wasn’t able to really train like I wanted to. When I got out of the Marine Corps in 2000, I was fighting MMA. To be good at MMA, I really needed to find a jiu-jitsu school. I found one in Columbus, Ohio, but I had to drive 90 minutes one way to train. I drove this 4-5 times a week after I got off work. Once I started training, I fell in love with the art and knew it was something I wanted to do. What’s the greatest challenge you have faced in your training? MR: The greatest challenge I have faced in my BJJ journey is overcoming injuries. Training back in the day was a lot harder on the body than it is today. I have had numerous injuries that will affect me for the rest of my life. I still wouldn’t trade the experience. Being able to train while you are injured is a big challenge, but it continues to make you better even though you can’t train 100%. Being able to do something is better than nothing. Understanding how to protect yourself and your injuries is an added benefit that you can use off the mat. GG : One of the most significant challenges I encountered during my training was mastering the ability to remain calm and patient while being trapped in dominant positions such as side control and mount, as well as when facing submission attempts. It was crucial to develop the confidence to navigate these situations without allowing negative thoughts to overwhelm me and create a sense of hopelessness. JC : I feel the greatest challenge I have faced in training is time management. I did well in competitions and when I was awarded my blue belt I was told to open my own academy and start teaching. So being able to take time to train myself and the time I put into my students was difficult. It made it very hard to do everything I wanted to for myself. My passion to see others succeed has always been ahead of my own needs. Why have you stuck with training? MR: I stuck with training because it’s a lifestyle. BJJ is addicting. The thing I love about it is that it is always evolving, and you never stop learning. I’m not sure how people quit BJJ. If I go more than a week without choking someone, I start to get the shakes, lol! GG : I have remained dedicated to training because I believe it has a transformative impact on my character. It has helped me become a more composed, patient, and self-assured individual in every aspect of life. Despite encountering significant injuries throughout my journey, I have always returned to training because I recognized its vital role in maintaining balance and harmony in my day-to-day existence. JC : The reason I have stuck with training is jiu-jitsu is a lifestyle and I couldn’t imagine a single day where I wasn’t able to train or teach. This lifestyle is something I want to pass on to my kids. Jiu-jitsu is an art that offers so much to so many people. This lifestyle has given me so much, along with meeting people that I’m closest to in my life that I can’t imagine my life without it. Why did you get into teaching? MR: I got into teaching because I have a lot of knowledge I wanted to share with others. Being able to share your knowledge with others and hearing success stories of how your teaching impacted them to be a better person is very rewarding. GG: Becoming a jiu-jitsu instructor was a natural progression for me. Prior to achieving my black belt, I worked as a physical education teacher and personal trainer. Thus, transitioning to teaching jiu-jitsu was an organic extension of my teaching career, which ultimately led me to pursue it full-time. JC: Back in 2003, I was driving back and forth to Columbus, which was a 90-minute trip one way. One day I asked my instructor if it was ok to rent a place in the town where I lived to see if I could get people there to train with me. So, once I had a place, people were coming in to train with me, and it was great. One day, one of the guys training with me asked if I could teach them what I learn when I go to Columbus, so my next trip to Columbus I asked my instructor he said I could go ahead and show them. So as a white belt, I had other white belts training with me and competing with me, and we did really well in local tournaments. In January 2006, I received my blue belt and was told to open my own academy. Back in those days, it was very hard to find a black belt to train with. My instructor was a purple belt. So, it wasn’t uncommon for blue belts and purple belts to be teaching back in those days. What has been the greatest surprise of your journey? MR: I can’t say I have really been surprised by anything in my journey. Seeing people come and go is somewhat surprising. GG: The most astonishing aspect of my journey has been witnessing the remarkable evolution of our martial art/sport over the past three decades. When I first started, it was a niche discipline and often overlooked. However, it has now emerged as a prominent and widely recognized martial art/sport, reaching the mainstream status it enjoys today. JC : I would have to say the friendships I have made and wouldn’t have made if I wasn’t in this jiu-jitsu lifestyle. I have made some of my closest friendships and still have them through meeting them in jiu-jitsu. Also, the experiences I have been able to have for myself and my kids are something that can never be replaced. What is the best piece of advice you can give for someone new to jiu-jitsu? MR: The best piece of advice I can give to someone just starting BJJ is to come to class and be consistent. I see so many students who may be at a certain rank for years, and it’s because they come to class for a month and take 2 months off. So, everything you learned in that one month was forgotten by missing the next two. Be consistent, and success will follow. GG: For anyone new to jiu-jitsu, my best advice would be to prioritize learning the fundamental techniques of our martial art instead of trying to win every sparring session. By focusing on the proper techniques early on, you can develop a solid foundation for your practice and progress more quickly. It's important to concentrate on technique rather than relying solely on your physical attributes. JC: The best piece of advice I can give someone new to jiu-jitsu is for people wanting to start, you must step outside your comfort zone and just try it. Don’t make excuses to put it off. When a new person comes into my academy, I try to get them on the mats that day. Once they experience it, they will know whether or not it’s something they want in their life. As for new students who have been training, don’t worry about anyone else. Worry about you and trying to improve yourself every day and don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Jiu-jitsu is about bettering yourself and improving every day on the mats and off. What makes for a good student? MR: A good student of BJJ is one who is always at class, eager to learn, and works hard. The first part of that is key…Come to class and be consistent! GG: A good student is someone who demonstrates dedication and commitment by consistently attending classes and putting in the necessary effort. They focus on their individual progress rather than comparing themselves to others. Furthermore, they prioritize understanding the underlying principles and mechanics of techniques rather than simply going through the motions without grasping the reasons behind them. JC: What makes a good BJJ student to me is their willingness to learn and step out of their comfort zone. When they come to class, they ask questions. It’s different for everyone cause life is different for everybody, but the dedication to keep coming back to learn says a lot. Martial arts are something I wish everyone would do, especially kids. The confidence and character it builds are priceless. So, for me, a good student is one that keeps coming back and shows dedication. What is the number one lesson you’ve learned through training or teaching? MR: The biggest lesson I’ve learned through training and teaching is to respect your training partners. If you’re constantly hurting your training partners, no one will be left to train with. Train with control. The more control you have in training can easily transfer over to a street situation. Control your emotions, control your body movements, and control your opponent. GG: Be humble. There’s always someone better than you ready to chop your head off. JC: The number one lesson I have learned through training or teaching is that you never stop learning or growing as a person. You can always learn something new and find better ways to do things or teach things. Everyone is different, so you must be able to adapt. So always learn and try improving every day on and off the mats. Keep an open mind and learn as much as you can. I still learn to this day, which is why I still have the love for this art. I hope that you’ve picked up some useful chunks of wisdom from these respected jiu-jitsu professors and found the inspiration to become an even better student or coach. I can tell you that my journey in the arts has been greatly enriched by having crossed paths with these men. Salute, Ian Lauer 3rd Degree Black Belt American Kenpo 1st Degree Black Belt Tae Kwon Do 1st Degree Black Belt Hapkido 1st Degree Black Belt Coszacks Karate Blue Belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

This article appeared on JudoInside.com website. One of the five original Olympic sports, judo has been a part of the global landscape for over a hundred years. Judo's popularity has waned and waxed over those one hundred years, but the martial art has always maintained a core group of diehard practitioners. In recent years, however, judo has seen something of a resurgence in popularity due in no small part to the increased prominence of mixed martial arts (MMA). Indeed, this resurgence has also provided sports bettors, particularly in the United States, using the best sites listed on GamblingSites.com to be provided with new betting opportunities to enhance their wagering experiences, thus further adding a spotlight on the sport and creating questions regarding its absence across some combat disciplines where it could have a place. But why should judo be in the MMA's spotlight? Let's take a look at some of the possible reasons that can be argued regarding why it should be given the light it deserves. Judo Is an Effective Martial Art The first and most obvious reason why judo belongs in the MMA's spotlight is that it is an effective martial art. Unlike some other martial arts that rely primarily on striking (e.g. boxing, Muay Thai, taekwondo), judo focuses on grappling and throwing. This makes it an excellent complement to striking-based martial arts such as boxing and Muay Thai. In fact, many of the MMA's most successful fighters have a background in judo, with some of them having been able to apply the techniques this discipline has proved them while in the ring. Judo Is an Exciting Sport to Watch In addition to being an effective martial art, judo is also an exciting sport to watch. Thanks to its focus on grappling and throwing, judo matches are often fast-paced and unpredictable. We have seen incredible judokas throughout history, including Teddy Riner , thus making for a great spectator sport; something that cannot be said of all martial arts. This is also one of the reasons why it has become a popular Olympic event, and one that has continued to remain on the program with each edition of the Games held. Judo Promotes Fair Play and Respect for Opponents Lastly, judo promotes fair play and respect for opponents, two values that are somewhat lacking in today's MMA landscape. In contrast to other martial arts that allow (and even encourage) fighters to inflict serious harm on their opponents, judo matches are won by points or by forcing one's opponent to submit via holds or chokeholds. This focus on using one's opponent's energy against them rather than inflicting pain helps foster a spirit of fair play and mutual respect between opponents. It can also potentially help to attract new viewers, especially those that have an appreciation for the art of judo and want to see it utilized in mainstream sports such as the UFC . Conclusion There are many reasons why judo belongs in the MMA's spotlight. Judo is an effective martial art with a long history, it is exciting to watch, and it promotes fair play and respect for opponents. With so much to offer, there is no doubt that judo deserves its place among the most popular martial arts in the world. Finally, judo should be added to all MMA & BJJ Schools’ curriculums as UCS below is on the right track Nathan Goltz Teaching Judo at UCS 2023 For the past year Nathan Goltz, 5th Dan in Judo, 1st Dan in Karate and Kendo, with vast knowledge of Muay Thai as well BJJ has been running a Judo Class at U... Updates: Japanese culture event at Kimono exhibition in Paris | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News More on the Judo Gi Updates: Veterans Age Divisions for 2023 Ed Rodriguez recently shared the IJF Veterans Commission is pleased to announce that the age divisions for the Veterans have been adapted for 2023. Therefore, in 2023, during the Abu Dhabi World Veterans Championships, the age divisions applied will be those used in 2022 (see the table below). The IJF Sport Organization Rules (SOR) will soon be updated and the commission will issue event outlines as soon as all topics are settled. The organizers and the IJF Veterans Commission are waiting for you in large numbers to have an amazing experience in Abu Dhabi, UAE, between 31st October and 3rd November! Watch (Just Released) - German Kick Boxer vs. Judoka Video Does judo have a chance in MMA or will Enes end the fight with his kickboxing? Oliver was able to hold his ground against a strong opponent in his first fight and now meets Enes, who tries to end fight by KO! Calendar: (Note - several tournaments have been cancelled since the AJA was not renewed by USA Judo) April - 2023 15th Saturday - Couchigan Memorial Tournament , Las Vegas, NV 16th Sunday - Ryoku's Amarilis Savon Clinic , Las Vegas, NV 16th Sunday - Garden State Open Judo Classic , Wayne NJ 22nd Saturday - Arizona State Championships , Tucson, AZ 29th Saturday & 30th Sunday - Golden State Open , Azusa, CA May - 2023 7th Sunday - CJI State Championships , San Francisco, CA 20th Saturday & 21st Sunday - Senior National Championships , Spokane, WA June - 2023 4th Sunday - Nanka Spring Tournament , Westminster, CA 16th Friday to 18th Sunday - USA Judo Junior Olympics , Shreveport, LA 24th Saturday - Sensei Gary's Birthday Scrimmage , Claremont, CA 25th Sunday - U.S. Adaptive Judo Championships , Riverside, CA July - 2023 7th Friday to 9th Sunday - USJF & USJA Summer Nationals , New York, NY 16th Sunday - CA State Games , San Diego, CA August - 2023 6th Sunday - Nikkei Games Budo Tournament , Cypress, CA September - 2023 17th Sunday - Nevada State Judo Championship , Las Vegas, NV 24th Sunday - Nanka Fall Tournament , Westminster, CA October - 2023 1st Sunday - Capitol Open Judo Championships , Sacramento, CA 22nd Sunday - Fresno Invitational Tournament , Fresno, CA 29th Sunday - Fight for a Cure Women's Tournament & Clinic , Riverside, CA November - 2023 1st Wednesday to 3rd Friday - IJF World Veterans Championships , Abu Dhabi, UAE 5th Sunday - Nanka Team Tournament , Westminster, CA 19th Sunday - Presidents Cup National Championships , Irving, TX December - 2023 8th Friday to 10th Sunday - Nanka Winter Nationals & Clinics , Azusa, CA April - 2024 7th Sunday - Nanka Spring Tournament , Westminster, CA May - 2024 5th Sunday - Nanka West Coast Invitational , Westminster, CA June - 2024 28th Friday to 30th Sunday - USJF & USJA Summer Nationals , Tacoma. WA September - 2024 29th Sunday - Nanka Fall Tournament , Westminster, CA October - 2024 20th Sunday - Nanka Team Tournament , Westminster, CA December - 2024 6th Friday to 8th Sunday - Nanka Winter Nationals & Clinics , Azusa, CA I’m always looking for new subjects to write about regarding judo as well as contributions from my readers. Please send them to gary@garygoltz.com , thanks.

For my Black Belt Judo Blog this week I want to share this article recently written by James Hurtado . Judo is on the rise in the gaming community. Hopefully, this will lead to more interest in taking it up for real! Ippon Again! brings the art of Judo to audiences around the world this January 2023. Here's why it's a great introduction for those new to the sport. Ippon Again! , produced by BAKKEN RECORD and published by Pony Canyon, is an anime adaptation of the ongoing judo-centric manga series written by Yuu Muruoaka. After deciding to quit judo at the end of middle school, due to changing her priorities to being successful in her high school education and upcoming entrance exams, Michi Sonoda is suddenly reminded of how much she loved the sport and her training. Together with Hiura Towa, the competitor she lost her last match to, and Sanae Takigawa, her childhood best friend, they decide to start up the judo club and find themselves participating in tournaments once again. Ippon Again! is heavily focused on the competitive aspects of judo; with countless demonstrations of different techniques and stances, the series also gets quite technical and informative. This makes the series an ideal starting place for individuals wishing to learn about one of the world's most popular sports at a reasonable pace. Here's why Ippon Again! is must-watch for fans of combat sports. Ippon Again! Teaches the Fundamentals of Judo Judo, the art of throwing and grappling was invented by Dr. Jigoro Kano in 1882 by combining jiujutsu with the various features from different jiujutsu schools. The biggest difference between judo and jiujutsu is the fact that judo is more based around throws, while jiujutsu focuses on submissions. Judo later became an Olympic sport in 1964. While unbeknownst to many living in the Western hemisphere, judo is one of the most popular competitive sports in the world next to soccer, with over 200 countries being members of the International Judo Federation. Judo, like many other combat sports, can also be quite dangerous because the emphasis is placed on throwing the opponent to the ground. The martial art of judo is often overlooked because it isn't talked about as much, due to being shadowed by other martial arts such as boxing and jiujutsu in mainstream media, however, some of the most legendary fighters in the UFC have used judo moves quite often. The UFC's First Female Champion Ronda Rousey, a multiple gold medalist in judo, and the UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and his protégé Islam Makhachev, both of whom have performed many brilliant judo throws throughout their careers, are excellent examples of well-known martial artists who have used judo. Ippon Again! is a fantastic place to start learning more about the Japanese wrestling sport, as the series goes in-depth enough for anyone new to Judo to comprehend the sport thoroughly -- such as the application of the judogi, the utilization of distance and balance, and the huge diversity of throws and submissions. Audiences will also learn the rules of judo matches such as the scoring methods: ippon and waza-ari. This is all portrayed by our three main characters as they compete from tournament-to-tournament against a long list of diverse opponents. Real judo techniques, like the yagura nage and sode tsurikomi goshi, are frequently used in the series, hence why current judokas will also greatly appreciate it. Ippon Again! is a rare gem to have been adapted, as anime about combat sports that portray the sport in a non-fantastical way come only once in a blue moon. Ippon Again! is a series chock-full of waza-ari and ippons that shouldn't be missed. Ippon Again! is based on the manga of the same title, published in the Weekly Shōnen Champion on October 18, 2018. The manga is currently ongoing and has 20 volumes released. Ippon Again! will be available for streaming on HIDIVE January 8, 2023. Here is another related article Judo black belt breaks down how legit Guile's back throw is in Street Fighter 6 Posted by Steven 'Dreamking23' Chavez • 1/6/2023 How Legit is Guile’s Throw from Street Fighter 6? #shorts Judo Black Belt, Pak, Breaks Down one of Guile's judo throws from the video game, Street Fighter 6 (2023).#scenicfights #martialarts #streetfighter #streetfi... The Street Fighter series is home to a bevy of fantastical attacks that defy the laws of physics and sometimes logic. However, many attacks take inspiration from real life martial arts, but just how accurate and legit are said IRL-inspired moves? The folks over at Scenic Fights — a small group of experienced martial artists who analyze, breakdown, and recreate fight scenes from pop culture — recently took a closer look at one of Guile's regular throws in Capcom's upcoming major fighting title, Street Fighter 6 . Pak, one of Scenic Fights' Judo black belts, aimed to figure out if Guile's Judo-style back throw is actually legit or just another fantastical maneuver. Looking at the footage, the Judo expert begins by explaining that Guile is likely using a seoi nage for his back throw. This move sees the user grab the wrist, pull the opponent's collar in, and rotate to throw the foe over their back. "It also looks like an Uchi Mata because at the end you see Guile lift up his leg," says Pak. The expert goes on to state that "Uchi Mata" means "inner thigh throw," which appears to be what Guile is also incorporating here with this attack. What's interesting is that Pak notes how the leg lift and transition into an Uchi Mata is completely unnecessary for Guile to complete the throw. His opponent, Luke, is already halfway to being thrown over and already off the ground by that point, so he really didn't need the second move to finish the maneuver. After the breakdown, Pak demonstrates a throw that closely resembles Guile's Street Fighter 6 back throw called the "Split Hip Ippon Seoi Nage." Aside from the leg lift, Guile's throw looks to be fairly legit when it comes to real life martial arts moves. And Yet Another Link on this Subject ! Calendar: (Note - several tournaments have been cancelled since the AJA was not renewed by USA Judo) April - 2023 1st Saturday & 2nd Sunday - High School & Collegiate Nationals , San Jose, CA 15th Saturday - Couchigan Memorial Tournament , Las Vegas, NV 16th Sunday - Ryoku's Amarilis Savon Clinic , Las Vegas, NV 16th Sunday - Garden State Open Judo Classic , Wayne NJ 22nd Saturday - Arizona State Championships , Tucson, AZ 29th Saturday & 30th Sunday - Golden State Open , Azusa, CA May - 2023 7th Sunday - CJI State Championships , San Francisco, CA 20th Saturday & 21st Sunday - Senior National Championships , Spokane, WA June - 2023 4th Sunday - Nanka Spring Tournament , Westminster, CA 16th Friday to 18th Sunday - USA Judo Junior Olympics , Shreveport, LA 24th Saturday - Sensei Gary's Birthday Scrimmage , Claremont, CA 25th Sunday - U.S. Adaptive Judo Championships , Riverside, CA July - 2023 7th Friday to 9th Sunday - USJF & USJA Summer Nationals , New York, NY 16th Sunday - CA State Games , San Diego, CA August - 2023 6th Sunday - Nikkei Games Budo Tournament , Cypress, CA September - 2023 17th Sunday - Nevada State Judo Championship , Las Vegas, NV 24th Sunday - Nanka Fall Tournament , Westminster, CA October - 2023 1st Sunday - Capitol Open Judo Championships , Sacramento, CA 22nd Sunday - Fresno Invitational Tournament , Fresno, CA 29th Sunday - Fight for a Cure Women's Tournament & Clinic , Riverside, CA November - 2023 1st Wednesday to 3rd Friday - IJF World Veterans Championships , Abu Dhabi, UAE 5th Sunday - Nanka Team Tournament , Westminster, CA 19th Sunday - Presidents Cup National Championships , Irving, TX December - 2023 8th Friday to 10th Sunday - Nanka Winter Nationals & Clinics , Azusa, CA April - 2024 7th Sunday - Nanka Spring Tournament , Westminster, CA May - 2024 5th Sunday - Nanka West Coast Invitational , Westminster, CA June - 2024 28th Friday to 30th Sunday - USJF & USJA Summer Nationals , Tacoma. WA September - 2024 29th Sunday - Nanka Fall Tournament , Westminster, CA October - 2024 20th Sunday - Nanka Team Tournament , Westminster, CA December - 2024 6th Friday to 8th Sunday - Nanka Winter Nationals & Clinics , Azusa, CA I’m always looking for new subjects to write about regarding judo as well as contributions from my readers. Please send them to gary@garygoltz.com .

To round out my series of blogs on Women’s Judo, this story which appeared recently in MMA Fighting written by Guilherme Cruz . It messed with my head quite a lot: Olympic Judo Champion Rafaela Silva explains why she will never fight MMA! Don’t expect Olympic gold medalist Rafaela Silva to follow the footsteps of fellow judokas Ronda Rousey and Kayla Harrison to MMA. A two-time judo world champion (2013 and 2022) and one-time Olympic champion (2016), Silva flirted with mixed martial arts during her two-year suspension for fenoterol, a substance used to treat asthma. Silva claimed innocence but was forced to stay away from judo for two years between 2019 and 2021. In MMA, she found a way to stay active. MMA is not for me,” Silva said with a laugh on MMA Fighting’s Portuguese-language podcast Trocação Franca. “I can’t. It doesn’t work for me. I got kicked in the face, kicked on the leg, and couldn’t put my foot on the ground for three or four days. It’s very tough.” Silva is close friends with former UFC champion Jose Aldo and Nova União fighters Leonardo Santos , Matheus Nicolau , and Luana Pinheiro . She said that being in the gym to work with MMA athletes has only made her admire fighters more. “It was a very unique experience for me because it’s a whole different fight,” Silva said. “I have a judo background which is totally different for MMA, so it messed with my head quite a lot. I had to adapt a lot of things. It was a very difficult but amazing experience for me, because it came at a moment I couldn’t train judo, so I gave myself the luxury and privilege of training another sport.” The biggest lesson Silva learned during that period of time was that, even as an Olympic champion, she still had a lot to learn about combat sports. “I believe it helped me a lot because I was always asking for help, advice, [and it helped] me in my return to judo,” said Silva, who won her second world title in her first tournament back from suspension . “I’ve trained in several spots and would always try to learn something here, something in wrestling, in the grappling area. I always had difficulties on the ground. “At the same time, there I was trying MMA, bringing all I could to judo. Even after so many years training judo, this period training MMA helped me a lot, it made my spirit stronger as an athlete.” Silva has always admired the likes of Anderson Silva and Aldo, and watched the UFC stars compete live back when the sport became a sensation in Brazil in the early 2010s. But she became a bigger fan after watching and experiencing what they go through in camp. The list of MMA stars include judo phenoms Ronda Rousey and Kayla Harrison, who made the transition to MMA to become superstars and win titles in UFC and PFL, respectively. “I already admired them from the outside,” Silva said, “and knowing what they went through to make such transition — even Kayla, a two-time Olympic champion and world champion, making that transition the best way possible. You just cannot admire athletes like her.” Updates: US Senior Nationals Spokane 2023 Results News Story on Positive Financial Impact to Area Congratulations to Nanka’s medalists! Samantha Garcia (Harbor Judo Dojo -48kg) 🥉 Jenna Schurr (unaffiliated -52kg) 🥇 Joshua Yang (LA Judo club - 60kg) 🥇 Jonathan Yang (LA Judo Club -60kg) 🥈 Jacob Yang (LA Judo Club -66kg) 🥉 Bryan Davis (LA Tenri Judo Dojo -81kg)🥉 Davit Aghasaryan (LA Tenri Judo Dojo 90kg) 🥈 Tokuzo Takahashi (LA Tenri Judo Dojo 100kg🥉 Philip Horiuchi (LA Tenri Judo Dojo +100kg) 🥇 Team USA at the recent 2023 World Championships Here are all the combat styles Keanu Reeves learned for John Wick Bruce Lee vs. Gene LeBell; The Real Story Daria Bilodid on Her Journey Across California Calendar: June – 2023 2nd Friday to 4th Sunday - Texas International Camp, Dallas, TX 4th Sunday - Nanka Spring Tournament , Westminster, CA 16th Friday to 18th Sunday - USA Judo Junior Olympics , Shreveport, LA 25th Sunday - U.S. Adaptive Judo Championships , Riverside, CA July - 2023 16th Sunday - CA State Games , San Diego, CA August - 2023 6th Sunday - Nikkei Games Budo Tournament , Cypress, CA September - 2023 17th Sunday - Nevada State Judo Championship , Las Vegas, NV 24th Sunday - Nanka Fall Tournament , Westminster, CA October - 2023 1st Sunday - Capitol Open Judo Championships , Sacramento, CA 22nd Sunday - Fresno Invitational Tournament , Fresno, CA 29th Sunday - Fight for a Cure Women's Tournament & Clinic , Riverside, CA November - 2023 1st Wednesday to 3rd Friday - IJF World Veterans Championships , Abu Dhabi, UAE 5th Sunday - Nanka Team Tournament , Westminster, CA 19th Sunday - Presidents Cup National Championships , Irving, TX December - 2023 8th Friday to 10th Sunday - Nanka Winter Nationals & Clinics , Azusa, CA April - 2024 7th Sunday - Nanka Spring Tournament , Westminster, CA May - 2024 5th Sunday - Nanka West Coast Invitational , Westminster, CA June - 2024 28th Friday to 30th Sunday - USJF & USJA Summer Nationals , Tacoma. WA September - 2024 29th Sunday - Nanka Fall Tournament , Westminster, CA October - 2024 20th Sunday - Nanka Team Tournament , Westminster, CA December - 2024 6th Friday to 8th Sunday - Nanka Winter Nationals & Clinics , Azusa, CA I’m always looking for new subjects to write about regarding judo as well as contributions from my readers. Please send them to gary@garygoltz.com , thanks.

blackbeltmag.com The Difference Between Judo And Karate Gary Goltz 13–17 minutos For my Black Belt Blog for This week I wanted to share this interesting comparison between judo and karate. As a judoka I like what the author says about the benefits of judo. However knowing how to strike and block is of key importance in self-defense as proven in the UFC and other MMA events. This is why I put my kids in karate too as they were growing up. I wanted them to be prepared for an encounter with Holly Holmes ! By James Franklin If you’re not a martial arts fan, judo and karate may seem similar. Although both sports originated in Japan and have some similar techniques, the two are entirely different. Generally, the main difference is that judo is a soft martial art that entails grappling and throwing techniques, while karate is a complex martial art involving striking. However, that’s not all. This article dives deep into extracting the main differences to help you grasp the differences between the two forms of martial arts. Read on to learn more. The first difference between these sports is their history. The History Of Judo Judo, a Japanese martial art, was initially referred to as Jiu-jitsu and involved throws, locks, and grappling. However, it was later evolved and renamed by Jigoro Kano in 1882 as it had started to fade away. This sport was inspired by ‘ju yoku go o seisu,’ referring to ‘softness controls hardness,’ meaning a weaker individual can defeat a stronger opponent by using the opponent’s force and momentum. Judo was initially meant for entertainment, but in the 20th century, it was termed an Olympic sport. Judo participants are called judokas, while their instructors are called sensei. The judokas must wear a traditional attire called keikogi when performing the sport. Judo has become popular and is taught in many gyms. For example, if you’re looking forward to learning, it’s worth checking out The Arena in San Diego and other similar places. Here you will meet well-trained coaches such as those with the necessary knowledge about the sport. The main objective of judo is to take down the opponent. Therefore, one is declared a winner when the opponent is inactive and on the ground. The History Of Karate Karate is a form of martial art derived from a combination of words, ‘kara’ and ‘te.’ Kara means empty, while te means hand. Therefore, karate means ’empty hand.’ Karate was invented by people who intended to defend themselves in a period when weapons were prohibited. This martial art originated in East Asia in the 17th century but evolved in Japan in the 1920s. It was categorized into four styles: Wado-Ryu, Goju-Ryu, Shotokan, and Shito-Ryu. Unlike judo which entails taking down the opponent to the ground, karate entails kicking and striking the opponent while defensively blocking the opponent’s moves with legs and arms. Body Parts Used Another key difference is evident in the body parts used in these two forms of martial arts . Judokas use their arms and legs to wrestle with their opponent. However, the force and momentum to take down their opponent are mainly generated from the legs, core, and hips. In judo, the legs aren’t primarily used for their strength but for their ability to abruptly distort the opponent’s balance, after which the core and hips help execute the throw to the ground. Karatekas, practitioners of karate, mostly use their limbs. For example, they use the elbow to fists on the arms and knee to feet for the legs. All the parts between these areas are used to strike and punch the opponent. Throws and locks are non-existent in karate. Therefore, karate focuses mainly on the limbs, while judo is a full-body sport. Techniques Judo has two main techniques: nage-waza (throwing techniques) and katame-waza (grappling styles). However, judo’s strength is mainly in its throwing techniques. Judokas aim to unbalance the opponent and throw them on the ground. Judo doesn’t involve striking; that’s why it’s referred to as a soft form of martial arts. Judo’s training and technique emphasize using force, momentum, pivot points, and joint manipulation. Karate, on the other hand, is a striking martial art focusing on stand-up fighting without grappling or throwing. Karate training only entails kicks, punches, and blocks. These techniques make it a more aggressive form of martial arts than judo. The main aim of karate is to defeat the opponent using strikes and punches. Therefore, karate’s technique and training emphasize the strength and flexibility of the limbs. Self-Defense Judo is a defensive martial art in nature, meaning when a fight breaks on the street, a judoka has the upper hand regarding self-defense. This is because many street fights are close-range and mainly end on the ground, which is judo’s technique. Additionally, judoka can control the opponent and the fight’s direction, making judo greater for self-defense than karate. This is why judo training is taught to law enforcement individuals in many countries. However, judo doesn’t perform well in the case of multiple attackers since it can be disastrous to be on the ground against multiple opponents. Karate is mainly designed for attacking. When karatekas are given ample space, they can unleash quick strikes and punches, gaining an advantage over the opponent. But, when an attacker closes down the distance, a karateka is disadvantaged. However, in the case of multiple attackers, a karateka can finish off two or three opponents before they close in, which is impossible for a judoka. Focus As stated, judo is a defensive form of martial arts. Judo assumes the opponent is about to attack and focuses on countering the attack without sustaining any damage. Therefore, a judoka aims to be firmly planted on the ground to hold and throw the opponent. Once the opponent is on the floor, the judoka finds a superior position to control the opponent to submission. Comparatively, karate is an aggressive form of martial arts that focuses on damaging the opponent before the opponent can strike back. This means the body has to be firmly planted on the ground while the other limbs attack the opponent. Benefits Of Learning Judo Judo isn’t just a sport; it teaches judokas a way of living and has mental and physical benefits. Here are some of the benefits of learning judo: Advantages Of Learning Judo It helps grow strength and flexibility. It improves concentration and coordination. It boosts self-esteem and confidence. It improves overall physical fitness. It helps one master self-defense. Lastly, judo strongly emphasizes discipline, respect, and humility. One must treat opponents and instructors with respect and maintain a high standard of conduct on and off the mat. Here are some benefits of learning karate It tones the body and builds stamina. It improves mental health. It boosts aggression and energy levels. It boosts reaction time and alertness. Conclusion Judo and karate are fascinating martial arts with a long and rich history. Learning judo and or karate are both excellent ways to improve your physical fitness, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. While they may share some similarities, they are ultimately quite different in terms of technique, philosophy, and approach. Whether you’re interested in the throws and submissions of judo or the strikes and kicks of karate, both offer a great way to improve your physical fitness, discipline, and self-defense skills. Updates: Speaking of Karate – RIP Fumio Demura, Sensei pictured below Ken Teshima and me back in 2017. IJF Declares Inal Tasoev Heavyweight World Champion as well, 6-9-23 JudoInside.com - Hans van Essen / judo news, results and photos During the final between Teddy Riner (FRA) and Inal Tasoev (AIN), there was one situation where neither the referee on the mat nor the IJF Refereeing Commission gave any score. Following a thorough expert analysis, according to the current refereeing rules, a score could have been awarded for Inal Tasoev’s counterattack. Therefore, the International Judo Federation declares both athletes as the winners of the contest and award a gold medal and the corresponding ranking points to Inal Tasoev. GG Comment – To me this seems like a big cop out. If they made a mistake the IJF should’ve just fixed it! 81-Year-Old Advocate - European Judo Union Veterans Championships – by Szandra Szogedi Valentins AZAROVS lives and trains in Riga, Latvia, precisely at Satori Judo Club. The veteran judoka competed today at the M9 -73kg category and finished 7th place. Although his age would put him into the M11 age group, due to lower entries around his age, he was merged with the younger group, nothing that would have set him or his passion away from the tatami. Born in 1942, makes Azarovs the eldest competitor at the European Judo Championships Veterans 2023. The 81-year-old judoka first trial himself on the judo mat at the age of 14… and never looked back. It was not until the age of 68 that he actually entered his first judo tournament, specifically the Veteran World Championships. Diving into deep water paid off for the Latvian veteran as he won his first medal and world title simultaneously. That event remains my best memory of judo. I was shocked that I was able to win. I am regularly attending at these events since. I really enjoy competing, I love the whole process of preparation for a tournament and competing with friends. I know almost everyone around me, and I enjoy the atmosphere at these events. Azarovs trains approximately 1,5hrs per day, mixed with judo and other fitness trainings. Whilst he is keeping rather fit for his age, former sambo player and acrobat, is solely dedicating his sporting passion to judo. During his active work life regime, Azarovs was an engineering constructor. He has retired from the working world for quiet sometimes but has no plans leaving the mat just yet. I am a retired man with a lot of free time. I don’t feel the same nor do I see my life without judo. I want to motivate younger people too to continue with judo. I won 3 European gold medal and 4 world titles at the veterans and even if I am not on the podium, I still feel like a winner. Attention Judo Veterans - Register Now for the Veterans Judo Open - Myrtle Beach August 26th, 2023 . For more information go to, www.VeteransJudoUSA.com Competing in judo tournaments can offer additional benefits for Veterans Judo Players. Here are some benefits of competing in judo. 1. Challenge Yourself Competing in judo can be a way to challenge yourself physically and mentally. It requires dedication and hard work to prepare for tournaments, which can help you push yourself beyond your limits. 2. Keep Active Competing in judo tournaments can help older athletes stay active and engaged with their sport. It can motivate them to continue training and improving their technique, which can lead to a greater sense of satisfaction with their athletic performance. 3. Build Confidence Competing in judo tournaments can help Veteran Players build confidence. . Winning matches or achieving personal bests can give athletes a sense of accomplishment and pride, leading to increased self-confidence. 4. Meet Like-Minded People Tournaments offer the opportunity to meet like-minded people who share a passion for judo. Competing can help build camaraderie and friendships with other athletes. 5. Improve Technique Competing allows athletes to test their technique against other opponents and work on improving their skills. This can help them refine their technique and strategy, leading to better performance in future tournaments. In Conclusion competing in judo tournaments can be an excellent way for Veterans Judo Players to challenge themselves, stay active, build confidence, meet new people, and improve their technique. It can be a rewarding experience that can enhance your overall health and well-being, both physically and mentally. See you on the tatami! Sensei Ray Marquez, Jr. Calendar: June - 2023 16th Friday to 18th Sunday - USA Judo Junior Olympics , Shreveport, LA 25th Sunday - U.S. Adaptive Judo Championships , Riverside, CA July - 2023 16th Sunday - CA State Games , San Diego, CA August - 2023 5th Saturday - Beginner & Intermediate Tournament , Las Vegas, NV 6th Sunday - Nikkei Games Budo Tournament , Cypress, CA September - 2023 17th Sunday - Nevada State Judo Championship , Las Vegas, NV 24th Sunday - Nanka Fall Tournament , Westminster, CA October - 2023 1st Sunday - Capitol Open Judo Championships , Sacramento, CA 22nd Sunday - Fresno Invitational Tournament , Fresno, CA 29th Sunday - Fight for a Cure Women's Tournament & Clinic , Riverside, CA 29th Sunday - Hanabi Halloween Classic , Albany, CA November - 2023 1st Wednesday to 3rd Friday - IJF World Veterans Championships , Abu Dhabi, UAE 5th Sunday - Nanka Team Tournament , Westminster, CA 19th Sunday - Presidents Cup National Championships , Irving, TX December - 2023 8th Friday to 10th Sunday - Nanka Winter Nationals & Clinics , Azusa, CA April - 2024 7th Sunday - Nanka Spring Tournament , Westminster, CA May - 2024 5th Sunday - Nanka West Coast Invitational , Westminster, CA June - 2024 28th Friday to 30th Sunday - USJF & USJA Summer Nationals , Tacoma. WA September - 2024 29th Sunday - Nanka Fall Tournament , Westminster, CA October - 2024 20th Sunday - Nanka Team Tournament , Westminster, CA December - 2024 6th Friday to 8th Sunday - Nanka Winter Nationals & Clinics , Azusa, CA I’m always looking for new subjects to write about regarding judo as well as contributions from my readers. Please send them to gary@garygoltz.com , thanks

So, for my blog this week I share this article by Tayeba Hussein. First is a photo journey of one of my high functioning autistic students who participated in this terrific event, hosted by Riverside Youth Judo Club . Children with ASD learn self-defense skills at the Family Judo for Autism program Kids with autism spectrum disorder have the opportunity to participate in judo classes with their family every Saturday at the College of Health Professions and Sciences Rehabilitation Innovation Center. Children who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder fill the halls of the CHPS Rehabilitation Innovation Center and put on their judo gis in anticipation of throwing around a fifth-degree black belt judo master every Saturday afternoon. Once a week for 45 minutes, kids ages seven and up have the opportunity to participate in a 16-week martial arts class that teaches them basic self-defense techniques. Dr. Jeanette Garcia, director and primary investigator of the program, said the Family Judo for Autism program is intended to impact and benefit children with autism in a variety of ways, including improving their sleep patterns and social interaction skills. Judith Samuels, autism disorder specialist and program manager, worked alongside Garcia to establish the judo program. Samuels said much of her inspiration to develop a program like this was thanks to her own son, who is diagnosed with ASD. “When my son was diagnosed, there were really no services, no support whatsoever, so I dove in head first, went back, changed degrees, schooling, everything, and ended up working in the field as an autism professional,” Samuels said. “Because there was so limited resources, one of my main things was to increase and build those resources in our communities.” Samuels said the UCF Center for Autism and Related Disabilities is a state-funded program through the legislature, and there are seven of these centers in the state of Florida. She said at UCF, the center currently services over 19,000 individuals. Samuels said the UCF Center for Autism and Related Disabilities develops programs, like the judo program, for constituents within seven counties in Orlando and the surrounding areas. She said these counties include Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, Lake, Brevard and Volusia. Samuels said beyond behavioral matters, early intervention is important for individuals with autism because many children have to start taking medications that often cause weight gain. “They start gaining weight, start becoming obese in younger ages, and then in adult ages are obese, and of course, at that time, it’s hard to change eating habits or exercise habits. Most of them have sedentary lifestyles because they don’t have friends,” Samuels said. However, Samuels said athletic programs designed for people with ASD made it easier for autistic kids to be social and make friends. She said many parents never thought that such progress would be possible for their children. “We did see a decrease in certain behaviors, better communication skills, and most importantly, they felt that they belonged,” Samuels said. Garcia said the College of Health Professions and Sciences has been working on various trials of this program in collaboration with the UCF Center for Autism and Related Disabilities. She said the first trial took place in the summer of 2018 as a small 8-week program with children only. Garcia said this initial trial served as a “feasibility study” that would allow her team to gain an understanding of whether judo worked effectively for autistic kids and to see if they even enjoyed doing it. “To me, it’s really important that the kids like it,” Garcia said. “If they don’t like it, it’s kind of pointless.” From just the first trial of the judo program, Garcia said her team could already see a substantial impact on participants by measuring and evaluating the change in certain behaviors. “We use accelerometers, kind of like Fitbits, to measure their physical activity. We also look at their sleep during these studies because kids with autism, almost 90% of them have poor sleep, and judo, which is a mind-body activity, is supposed to improve sleep outcomes,” Garcia said. Additionally, Garcia said her team utilized parent interviews to gauge an idea of how judo was benefiting the kids’ home life. “According to the parents, the kids talked more to each other, they talked more to the parents, they were more confident and they really enjoyed the program,” Garcia said. Garcia said CHPS Rehabilitation Innovation Center ran the program a second time in the summer of 2019 and again in the spring of 2020, but halfway through that spring, the program had to transition into a virtual setting over Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She said the remote version of the program had strengths and limitations regarding how kids were impacted. “It was not as good because there were no partners, and they couldn’t do it with someone, but some kids who have more social anxiety actually preferred the remote-based judo, and they were less scared of getting hurt,” Garcia said. Garcia said she wanted kids to continue participating in the program once they were able to return to an in-person setting, which meant they would need to somehow make it more habitual for the kids, which led them to consider making it into a family program. “Research shows that if parents do stuff with the kids, they’re more likely to continue doing it since they’re doing it as a family,” Garcia said. In the spring of 2022, Garcia said her research team conducted another feasibility study to see how involved parents would be in the program and how parent involvement would impact their children on the spectrum. She said there were two sessions once a week for 15 weeks, one being child-only and the other including family. Children with ASD learn self-defense skills at the Family Judo for Autism program Kids with autism of ages seven and up learn judo alongside their families at the Family Judo for Autism program in the College of Health Professions and Sciences Rehabilitation Innovation Center. Tayeba Hussein “Attendance was a lot higher in the family program because they saw it as a priority, a family activity,” Garcia said. “With the child- only class, they might miss it more often because of a family obligation, but in the family class, the judo was a family obligation, so they didn’t miss.” Garcia said the benefits of a family program were much greater than that of the child-only program because parents are familiar with the behaviors of their children, so they are able to more intimately help and correct their child’s techniques. She said that parents were also happy to be given the opportunity to bond with their kids, both in class and at home, where they could practice the skills they learned. After seeing how pleased participants were with the family program last spring, Garcia said her team discarded the child-only session for this spring semester and made the program entirely a family program. In the first few years the program took place, there was much less funding going towards the initiative. Garcia said the program received a $7,500 grant from the Morgridge International Reading Center and the Toni Jennings Exceptional Education Institute for the first few trials of the program. However, she said last year the program received a donation of about $90,000 from the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Garcia said this money is put towards paying the program’s judo instructors, providing snacks and refreshments for the families and purchasing real judo gis, in addition to offering the class for free to its participants. Garcia said the program’s team is currently applying for even larger grants in hopes of making the program year-round. Garcia and her team said it was important to purchase judo gis for the children, the traditional uniform worn in judo training and competitions. She said the uniforms have been very beneficial in seeing improvements in the kids. “The kids love the gis. Some of the children have sensitivity issues, and they don’t want to be touched, but when they’re wearing the judo gis, they’re okay with it,” Garcia said. Garcia said different elements of the program are still changing from year to year because it is important that the program is conducted in a way that most effectively benefits the children. In addition to studying the changes and outcomes, Garcia said her team interviews the families to gather their perspectives on how the program went. “We adjust things based on what the families think. If they have issues with something and they make suggestions, we take it very seriously. We’ll adjust the program based on their input,” Garcia said. Garcia said the program has already impacted the lives of its child participants in ways beyond what they could have imagined. “Parents will tell me stories about how their kids were bullied, but then they stood up for themselves because they felt more confident from learning judo. It’s really cool to hear stories like that,” Garcia said. Samuels said one factor of the judo program that has been beneficial to the progress of its participants is the sensei who teaches the class. She said the program has had the same instructor since the very first trial of the program in 2018, which has also helped with consistency among some of the returning participants. “Sasaki is really special. Not everybody can do it. He’s really got the knack for the kids and how to work with them. Sasaki is a total natural with the kids. They’ve got great respect for him, and they admire him,” Samuels said. Sensei Shinjiro Sasaki is a fifth-degree black belt in judo and is the owner of the Sasaki Judo school in Casselberry. Sasaki said he has been teaching judo since he immigrated to the United States 12 years ago, and his whole life revolved around the art of judo. Sasaki said he has never had a job besides judo and that he grew up in Japan with only the sport. He said that judo is the only thing he can give to others. Sasaki said he moved to the United States in hopes of restarting his life and that he wanted to go to the farthest place from Japan as possible, even if that meant changing his language. For this reason, he came to Florida. Sasaki said he first started taking English classes but saw no progress. He then began attending judo practices at an American martial arts school, which he said had the greatest impact on his English skills. After this, he was able to begin teaching judo himself. Sasaki said he has seen great improvements in the children in the program. He said during the first few classes, he would have to coax the kids out of the hallway and onto the mats, but now they will wait for him on the mats in anticipation of starting class. Sasaki said there has been only one challenge in teaching children on the spectrum. “The difficulty is communication. Not technique but communication. If you communicate (with) each student, you get close to them, and they’ll watch and check their habit, and then you can teach techniques,” Sasaki said. “My style is that I teach techniques to everyone in front of them, but after that, I watch each student. That’s the key.” Sasaki said the addition of family has allowed greater improvements in the confidence of the children. “This program is good because the parents help their kids. Kids, they are afraid. Once they get scared, they cannot do anything. Just having parents helps a lot,” Sasaki said. Working alongside Sasaki at the Family Judo for Autism program is black belt Izaya Farrar, who the children call Sensei Izaya. Farrar said he learned about judo several years ago when he temporarily attended UCF and joined the university’s Judo Club. He said Sasaki was the instructor at that time, and this is how the two came to work together. “I had no idea what judo was. I went to UCF, and I was looking at the list of clubs, and I saw the judo club. I took a class, and now seven years later, I have a black belt,” Farrar said. Farrar said when Sasaki first came to him and requested his assistance in teaching the program last spring, he was unsure of what to expect. However, he said he was shocked by the end results. “I’m always super impressed by the progress that is made. The progress they make from day one to the end is crazy,” Farrar said. “To see these kids go from being scared and not wanting to grab anyone to wanting to fight me and throw me down as hard as they can is really impressive.” Farrar said he is the “dummy” that the children work with to practice skills that require body contact after they’ve learned the basics. “First, they learn techniques without a person, like footwork. Then they throw me, everybody throws me. Then they get to the part where they’re actually sparring and fighting, they’re fighting me.” Farrar said. “Every time I get to class, they’re like, ‘I want to throw you. Izaya, can I throw you? Can I throw you?’ And then, by the end of class, I’m drenched in sweat because everyone was throwing me. It’s a really cool feeling.” Like Sasaki, Farrar also said one roadblock he has encountered while teaching children with autism is that they will sometimes “shut down," but because they have family members there to act as a support system, the children are able to overcome the obstacle throughout the course of the program. “I’ve seen one of the kids, his name is Isaac, he felt like if there were too many eyes on him, he would shut down and not want to do anything. Now he looks at me and just wants to throw me all the time now. I can see how he’s gotten comfortable,” Farrar said. Isaac Levine, who is 12 years old, is participating in his second year in the UCF Center for Autism and Related Disabilities family judo program. His father, Jason Evans, said he is happy to see how the program is benefiting Isaac and their family. “He loves it, and it gives him something challenging that he enjoys doing, and I can get him off the video games pretty quickly,” Evans said. “He had tried martial arts before, and he hadn’t had a lot of success, but he’s a lot better. It’s been great.” Evans is not the only parent who is pleased with the program. Cindy McElhinney, the mother of 20-year-old Katryna McElhinney, said the impact that the Family Judo for Autism program has made on her daughter is “incredible.” “She’s very shy, but I’ll tell you, UCF CARD has opened her up a lot socially. She would play on her phone a lot, and doing activities with CARD has helped her come out of that. She likes to talk to people and meet people, which she had trouble doing because she’s so shy,” McElhinney said. McElhinney said she had learned about the UCF Center for Autism and Related Disabilities early in her daughter’s life and has been involved with the center for many years. She said she likes to take advantage of a lot of the programs that they have to offer. “I highly recommend them,” McElhinney said about the UCF Center for Autism and Related Disabilities. McElhinney said that her family heard about the judo program through a newsletter virtually sent out by the UCF Center for Autism and Related Disabilities every month. She said her daughter has been participating in the judo program since 2019 and hopes to keep participating in future years. “She loves it, so much so that she has started taking Japanese online,” McElhinney said. “I think it’s just a fantastic program. I hope they continue it.” Updates: Watch - Running Judo Tournaments - Interview with Ramon Hernandez on the Shintaro Higashi Show Calendar: July - 2023 16th Sunday - CA State Games , San Diego, CA August - 2023 5th Saturday - Beginner & Intermediate Tournament, Las Vegas, NV 6th Sunday - Nikkei Games Budo Tournament , Cypress, CA 23rd Saturday - Veterans Judo Open , Myrtle Beach, SC September - 2023 17th Sunday - Nevada State Judo Championship , Las Vegas, NV 24th Sunday - Nanka Fall Tournament , Westminster, CA October - 2023 1st Sunday - Capitol Open Judo Championships , Sacramento, CA 22nd Sunday - Fresno Invitational Tournament , Fresno, CA 29th Sunday - Fight for a Cure Women's Tournament & Clinic , Riverside, CA 29th Sunday - Hanabi Halloween Classic , Albany, CA November - 2023 1st Wednesday to 3rd Friday - IJF World Veterans Championships , Abu Dhabi, UAE 5th Sunday - Nanka Team Tournament , Westminster, CA 19th Sunday - Presidents Cup National Championships , Irving, TX December - 2023 8th Friday to 10th Sunday - Nanka Winter Nationals & Clinics , Azusa, CA April - 2024 7th Sunday - Nanka Spring Tournament , Westminster, CA May - 2024 5th Sunday - Nanka West Coast Invitational , Westminster, CA June - 2024 28th Friday to 30th Sunday - USJF & USJA Summer Nationals , Tacoma. WA September - 2024 29th Sunday - Nanka Fall Tournament , Westminster, CA October - 2024 20th Sunday - Nanka Team Tournament , Westminster, CA December - 2024 6th Friday to 8th Sunday - Nanka Winter Nationals & Clinics , Azusa, CA I’m always looking for new subjects to write about regarding judo as well as contributions from my readers. Please send them to gary@garygoltz.com , thanks. Sensei Gary Goltz being wished a Happy 70th Birthday by his kids judo class 6-26-23 Sensei Gary Goltz started judo at 10 years old. He celebrated his 70th Birthday this past Monday June 26, 2023 at his dojo in Claremont California. His young...

Here a recent article written by Nicolas Messner I wanted to share as my Black Belt Blog for this week. Recently New-York City, USA, saw a special event, 'Sumo and Sushi', where judo met with Japanese culture and tradition. The event showcases recently retired highly ranked sumo athletes and immerses the participants in the culture and history of Japan. It was run by former sumo Ozeki, Konishiki, who is the first non-Japanese-born sumo wrestler to reach Ozeki, the second highest rank. Throughout his legendary career, he won the top division championship three times and since his retirement he honors his American heritage by bringing Japanese culture to an American audience every year. Nicole Stout is the #1 US athlete at -78kg and with the event coming to New York, Nicole's home state, she was invited for an exhibition match against a sumo player. Sumo players in Japan have shared a long history of cross-training and competing as evidenced recently by Shohei Ono training with top sumo player Yokozuna Terunofuji. Nicole showcased judo to a crowd of over 500 people on 23rd June 2023 by taking on former top 5 professional sumo wrestler Somoyama. Inviting an American athlete, active on the IJF World Judo Tour, gave the audience a chance to see another part of Japanese culture, knowing that in 2028 judo will be an integral part of the Los Angeles Olympic Games. The reaction to Nicole’s showcase of judo against a 360lb sumo player was met with overwhelming positivity. Many Americans in the crowd expressed their admiration for the beauty of judo and showed interest in the sport as a whole. Many women commented joyously, seeing their gender represented in such a dominant way and continued to share their praise online by sharing videos and pictures of the uchi-mata Nicole performed, with captions such as ‘girl power.’ For Jason Morris, a former world and Olympic medalist in judo, “It was a dream come true! I am a very big fan of sumo and the opportunity to not only indulge in that interest but also act as an ambassador for judo, was something I was extremely grateful for.” The audience, by being there, expressed an interest in learning about not only sumo but also Japanese culture and the culture surrounding martial arts. Nicole Stout being able to throw a sumo player more than twice her size showcased to an audience the effectiveness of judo and the symbiotic relationship that sumo and judo share. During the event, Nicole had the chance to meet with Konishiki. After a quick, positive interaction and an exchange of sport hallmarked hoodies, Konishiki exuded excitement and he introduced Nicole as a professional judo player and held aloft the hoodie he had received bearing the logo of her dojo, “The Jason Morris Judo Center.” After the exhibition match, all the sumo players said, "Wow what a beautiful ippon that was!” Historically speaking, judo and sumo have a common cultural ground and it is obvious that this common language echoes within the American society that will host the LA 2028 Olympic Games and judo will be a key player for the success of the event. Updates: Judogi control is an important part of the competition process, an integral part that guarantees fairness among all participants. The process is simple and accepted by all competitors. Before stepping on the tatami, whether to play a first round or a final of a world championships, your judogi must pass the filter of judogi control. Judo is a sport of values. It is also one of the only activities where your own outfit is not made for you but for your opponent, who by gripping it can try to throw you and vice versa. It is therefore essential that the judogi respects the standards and rules that allow everyone to express themselves without the length of a sleeve or the thickness of the fabric interfering with the result. IJF Sport and Organization Rules (SOR) - 24.04.2023 - English Download Discover in the video below, what exactly judogi control is. Hajime! Calendar: August - 2023 5th Saturday - Beginner & Intermediate Tournament , Las Vegas, NV 6th Sunday - Nikkei Games Budo Tournament , Cypress, CA 19th Saturday - National AAU Judo Tournament , Brown Deer, WI 23rd Saturday - Veterans Judo Open , Myrtle Beach, SC September - 2023 17th Sunday - Nevada State Judo Championship , Las Vegas, NV 24th Sunday - Nanka Fall Tournament , Westminster, CA October - 2023 1st Sunday - Capitol Open Judo Championships , Sacramento, CA 22nd Sunday - Fresno Invitational Tournament , Fresno, CA 29th Sunday - Fight for a Cure Women's Tournament & Clinic , Riverside, CA 29th Sunday - Hanabi Halloween Classic , Albany, CA November - 2023 1st Wednesday to 3rd Friday - IJF World Veterans Championships , Abu Dhabi, UAE 5th Sunday - Nanka Team Tournament , Westminster, CA 19th Sunday - Presidents Cup National Championships , Irving, TX December - 2023 8th Friday to 10th Sunday - Nanka Winter Nationals & Clinics , Azusa, CA April - 2024 7th Sunday - Nanka Spring Tournament , Westminster, CA May - 2024 5th Sunday - Nanka West Coast Invitational , Westminster, CA June - 2024 28th Friday to 30th Sunday - USJF & USJA Summer Nationals , Tacoma. WA September - 2024 29th Sunday - Nanka Fall Tournament , Westminster, CA October - 2024 20th Sunday - Nanka Team Tournament , Westminster, CA December - 2024 6th Friday to 8th Sunday - Nanka Winter Nationals & Clinics , Azusa, CA I’m always looking for new subjects to write about regarding judo as well as contributions from my readers. Please send them to gary@garygoltz.com , thanks.

In my previous gym, one of my absolute favorite courses were the womens-only classes. Not only did I have a regular group of intelligent, accomplished, and kind students - but I truly felt I was helping those who needed it. Every woman had either been attacked or knew someone who had. I couldn’t protect them myself, so it was my mission to arm them with the necessary Krav Maga skills. One of my foundational rules in Krav Maga training is that it must be as close to reality as safety allows. When I teach attacks like chokes or bear hugs, I insist that training partners start slowly, so that they can learn the defense. As they become more familiar, I insist that the challenger (partner playing the role of the attacker) live up to their title by steadily increasing the pressure on the defender. After all, an attacker choking you won’t stop and stand still because you broke the choke. They will go in for a second attack. This means reacting more and more like a real attacker and not cooperating. For example, if I grab someone in a bear-hug, I make it dynamic. I will lift them up or attempt to take them to the ground like a real attacker, instead of standing there like a scarecrow. If I am sitting in mount on an opponent, I won’t let them buck me off easily. My personal favorite is that if a student turns their back to an opponent during a drill (and has trained enough to be able to handle it) I will execute a quick rear-naked choke before immediately letting go, to give them a cue of what an actual attacker will do. Making it too easy for the defender is unrealistic training, which builds no skills, only false confidence, and an inability to actually use those skills if they are actually needed. This is not always easy, as it means leaving the comfort zone and struggling against stronger opponents to progress in skill level. Many times, I’ve noticed that a major struggle many of my female students face is a fear of working with male partners. They work hard to only partner with other women. Many prefer women-only self-defense classes and female teachers where they feel safer. When I ask them why, they tell me that they want to train safely, and training with men feels above their level. I understand their concerns, but I really agree with the advice Krav Maga instructor Avivit Cohen gives to her female students. “If they really want to progress and feel realistic training they have to train with men. Men are stronger, more aggressive, and will push you to your limits. There is no shortcut here, it's a must. I didn’t get to where I am today while training only with female training partners.” The reality is that for women, an attacker is statistically far more likely to be a man. Therefore, the most realistic way to train is with a man, so they can prepare their techniques against the pressure, as well as overcome any fear. However, what if they are too scared to work with a male student? How do we as self-defense teachers help them transition to a higher level of training? I accept that many women will want to start out in a female-only environment, and I actually think it’s a good choice. If that’s helpful to them to begin the self-defense journey, I’m glad those classes are offered. I also know this is a deeply emotional and triggering experience. Being grabbed and attacked is terrifying and I’ve seen so many students break down in tears, reliving the trauma. They may feel safer doing that among their peers, and I wouldn’t want to intrude on the process. However, at a certain point, the training does reach a plateau if women don’t get to train with men. In order to have effective training, we must make the training more realistic and even the strongest women don’t normally elicit the same fear reaction as a regular man. I think a great compromise for female self-defense instructors is to invite male instructors to serve as guest instructors a few times a month. This is especially important in ground combat, as I can understand this can be a deeply triggering exercise that requires a safe environment. This allows for a hybrid model, where pressure can be raised by a trained professional who had experience working with students and can adjust to their level. This allows them to at minimum pressure test their skills properly and hopefully help some transition to work with other men on a regular basis. I have seen so many times female students practicing with each other and feeling confident, only to have me play the role of challenger and see them freeze up at my touch. I understand that fear isn’t a compliment or a testimony to my talent. It’s the result of the fact that violence against women is done primarily by men. The fear I see in their eyes is a stark reminder of the impotence of the work self-defense instructors do. I wish I had another solution. It is not an easy process. This process should be a slow and incremental one, always one inch outside the comfort zone. Instructors should be vigilant to make sure their students aren’t being pushed too far and to know when it’s time to take a break. Good communication and patience are key here. I also highly recommend that students see therapists and mental health counselors help them as well. However, if you push through it, the results are incredible. One of my favorite moments in teaching is watching a student do their first buck-and-roll and realize that they are capable of getting a mounted opponent off them. A light sparks in their eyes as they suddenly seem so much more confident. As terrifying as the process of getting them into mount was, showing them that they aren’t helpless is the best feeling imaginable. Students of mine who have been through trauma have said that the hardest thing for them is reliving the helplessness of the experience. Now, when they remember the incident, they focus on how they could possibly prevent it in the future. No, the odds will never truly be fair, but that doesn’t mean we can give up. We must find ways to challenge students so they will be prepared for whatever life throws at them.

An interview with Shahar, Krav Maga Instructor and founder of 3SIXZERO. Shahar (Sean) Or is the Founder & CEO of 3SIXZERO Ltd. an Israeli-based company which provides services in the fields of tactical training, executive protection, security management, and logistical support. His Krav Maga journey began when he was drafted into an Israeli special forces unit in the Golani brigade. He served as an operational team sergeant and the commander of a special forces training division. After five years, he was honorably discharged and currently remains active in an operational reserve unit. In his civilian life, Shahar worked as a maritime security specialist, eventually serving as a head combat instructor for cruise ship security officers. He is a Captain of an anti-crime force in the Israeli Police Civilian Guard Division, leading his team in operations against crime and terror activities. For the past decade, Shahar has served as a senior combat instructor of professional units all over the world, sharing his vast operational experience with other professionals. Back in 2007, Shahar graduated from the Krav Maga Instructors Course at the Wingate Institute for Physical Education and Sports, and was certified as a senior military Krav Maga instructor from the IDF combat fitness academy. Shahar is a licensed firearms instructor, who has a bachelor’s degree in Counter-Terrorism and the Middle East Studies from the IDC Herzliya, and he is a senior security manager certified by the Ariel University and Wingate center of security studies and the Israeli national police operations division. In my interview with Shahar, we discussed the nature of Krav Maga as opposed to traditional martial arts. The interview has been edited and reorganized with interviewee approval for clarity. Shahar: People need to remember, Krav Maga is not a sport, it’s not a traditional martial art - it is a battle-tested proven self-defense system being used successfully by hundreds of thousands of people and security forces around the globe. I think the biggest difference between Krav Maga and traditional martial arts is that Krav Maga doesn't rely on history or on a larger philosophy. It is a focused combat system that provides people with the skills to protect themselves and others. This is the foundation of Krav Maga. The main advantage of Krav Maga is the principles for all techniques are the same. The applications can differ, (depending on use) so you can fine-tune the curriculum for your target audience. The applications may vary if you are training civilians, especially women and children, as opposed to military forces, police officers, dignitary protection agents, or security guards. The end result might be different, but the underlying principles remain the same. People should acknowledge that once they finish a single Krav Maga session, they already have something they can use on the street. It won't work one hundred percent of the time like on the mat, but it will be effective because of the mental education, the physical education, and the technical education you get while training. Krav Maga is very fast, aggressive, and effective when it comes to survival. First of all, you need to be aware. By teaching people how to identify hostile intentions, you teach them how to approach a violent situation - and more than that, how to prevent yourself from entering violent situations. I do not want to use Krav Maga even once in my life. Prevention is way better than confrontation, but we always train for the worst-case scenario when all circles of security fail. At that point, when one reaches the situation where there is a need to be proactive in order to prevent getting hurt or to protect someone else, the training of going from 0 to 100, both mentally and physically, kicks in. Among the reasons I chose to name my company, 3SIXZERO (360) is because it reflects those basic principles of Krav Maga. 360 defense relies on your basic instincts to survive when someone targets your head with an attack - you instinctually raise your hands to protect yourself. Natural instinct isn’t enough, so you need to learn how to do it properly in order to actually be effective and take the initiative from the attacker. So it relies on your natural instincts but as a trained response. One of the core principles in Krav Maga is to combine both defense and an attack simultaneously. In many cases, including my own personal experience, this is what made the difference between getting hurt or surviving the incident. Another core principle is to respond rapidly with no hesitation - if we are threatened or under attack, we should defend and attack at the same time in a decisive manner. Once we take the initiative, we continue until the attacker is neutralized. The main goal in such an incident is to take away the attacker’s ability to complete his attack and deny his advantage. Many techniques being taught nowadays are what I call YouTube techniques because they work only on YouTube. You see something very complicated, and it honestly looks very impressive, but in fact, it is very unlikely to work in reality. Your attacker will not cooperate with you like a training partner, you will likely be surprised by a very determined attacker, which will require you to rapidly identify the attack and respond effectively. For instance, when training a technique against stabbing, one may think to block, grab the hand with the weapon, disarm the knife and then maybe perform a fancy round kick. In reality, once you block and punch simultaneously, aiming your attack aggressively to the attacker’s face multiple times, it is more likely the attacker will be ten feet away. So grabbing the arm and disarming the knife will not be possible. To be effective you will need to go forward and continue your own attacks until he's down. When he’s down, there is no threat from the knife. The main focus during training is to educate the student to explosively react and aim your counter attacks at weak points which are anatomically identical for everyone. Such skills are being honed using realistic scenarios under stress drills, combining different environmental situations. I think people tend to fall in love with impressive techniques they see in the movies, but in real life, it's much more dirty and chaotic. You cannot actually do these crazy movements, and you must be fast, aggressive, and concise in order to survive the incident. One way to achieve such a response is to practice the most realistic situation (while maintaining safety of course). The simplest techniques tend to work the most effectively. Personally, I think we should always aim for the most natural and practical response. I often use a quote by Confucius to explain Krav Maga. “The superior man, when resting in safety doesn’t forget that danger may come.” I think that represents everything I believe in. Even when everything is okay, in the corner of your mind, try to anticipate the moment when everything will turn. By having this level of readiness throughout your lives, you are prepared not only for violent attacks, but the ordinary dangers of life like road accidents or slipping on the sidewalk. Live your life to the fullest, but with the awareness of what can go wrong and the ability to find the right solution to deal with it. For additional information on Shahar and his work, you can contact him at Contact@3sixzero.com and visit his LinkedIn page

The bristling and braced for even more spikier combative engagements are blissfully blared during Sakra’s opening fight wizardry, which takes place in the middle of a nowhere yet everywhere part of Wu Lin (a Jiang Hu subworld for martial artists.) It’s a typical stylized wuxia confrontational frenzy in a simple Inn that sublimely sets the tone of the upcoming multi-threatening storylines that could purge the soul of China. There are intriguing obvious and unobvious pecking orders, all with urgent agendas in search of a sharper edge. When each go toe-to-toe, you can feel the maniacal mood. Sakra is a film for brave pumping hearts, cold calculating minds. It’s the Song Dynasty in all of its customary histrionics that include the Begger Clan and Shaolin, albeit amid encircling angst created by the Khitan Liao Empire and the secretive and diabolical Great Yan dynastic state built by a former general of the Tang Dynasty. Yes, this all happens during the opening fight. Sakra is an awe-inspiring martial arts extravaganza that flawlessly showcases the unparalleled fight choreography that is synonymous with the source material, the classic wuxia novel written by Jin Yong (aka Louis Cha), Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils . Directed with precision and artistry by Donnie Yen, who also plays the lead character, Qiao Feng, the leader of the Beggar Clan, and the outrageous fight choreography of Kenji Tanigaki, this film takes the genre to new heights, that will leave audiences breathless with its mesmerizing display of combat prowess and fluidity. Yen and Kenji seamlessly blend the Hong Kong highwire antics influenced by the father of wire-fu, Chen Xiao-dung (aka Ching Siu-tung) with a traditional array of marital artist skills and a dollop of fantasy to reflect the superhuman abilities of the demi-gods and semi-devils that inhabit this vibrant world. Each fight scene is a symphony of precision, grit and grace, with the combatants exhibiting an almost otherworldly, ability, agility, and strength. In fact, Chen was the first director to feature over-the-top crazy wirework with blistering paced swirling sword duels shot at 18 fps (frames per second) that starred a legitimate martial artist playing a hero based upon another famous wuxia novel; Jet Li in Swordsman II (1992), its source material being Jin Yong’s Xiao Ao Jiang Hu (aka The Smiling, Proud Warrior ). Set during the early stages of the Song Dynasty, Sakra focuses on the life and times of Qiao Feng, from an orphaned baby, raised by Song peasants and his climb to becoming the leader of the Beggar Clan in Wu Lin. He was taught Ching Gong, a weightless skill that affords him to jump high and leap over great distances, as well as learning Chi Gong, a breathing skill to increases his Chi (inner energy), where he can use his Chi to heal people or as a final means of self-defense to obliterate an enemy using the 18 Subduing Dragon Palm Fist , so named by Jin Yong in honor of the founder of the Shaolin Temple martial arts, the Indian Buddhist Monk Da Mo, and his development of the 18 Buddhist Fists form in A.D. 527. Qiao Feng also knows the sucking Chi skill Proud Dragon Repents, where he could pull people towards him then reverse blast them with the Subduing Dragon Palm Fist with either great force or just enough power to knock them out. Conversely in Jin Yong’s Smiling, Proud Warrior, he had a character use a different Chi sucking skill, Xi Xing Da Fa , which a transgendered villain would use to suck the Chi out of her opponent’s bodies in order to cause them a painful death. When Qiao Feng is framed for killing his Shifu (the head Abbot of Shaolin), his adoptive parents and the deputy Beggar Clan leader Ma, and then accused of being a Khitan, he was stripped of his Beggar status and became mortal enemy number one, where everybody in the World of Wu Lin were now out to kill him. Yes, Donnie Yen’s character was John Wicked, so it’s no coincidence Yen is an assassin in John Wick 4 (2023) . It’s the Yin Yang balance. Qiao Feng’s quest is to get to the bottom of these lies by travelling to his birthplace, Yanmen Pass. Along the way he accidently injures Azhu, a young woman trying to find her family roots. He promises to help her no matter what, even if that means Sakra -ficing his own life. The Flavors of Sakra’s Powerful Fights The beauty of choreographing fights from a well written wuxia novel is that the fights are often prodigiously detailed. When I began writing about martial arts cinema in 1992, my second interview was with Chen Xiao-dong in Hong Kong. He noted, “When it comes to these films [like Swordsman II ], first, use your imagination to create the fight you want to do and then figure out a way to do it later.” This sort of mentality lead to the use of highly extravagant multiangle wirework set ups and elaborate camera choreography to shoot the fights. It’s why in Sakra the attention to detail during each fight where every punch, kick, and weapon wielding are intricately choreographed to tell a story within the action. Kenji and Yen have deep understandings of the characters and their motivations, infusing each fight with emotional depth and narrative significance. Whether it's a duel between rivals or a desperate struggle for survival, every battle resonates with intensity and meaning. Kenji’s experience as a fight choreographer working with Yen over the years in learning Hong Kong fight choreography, even though they use previsualization, when it comes time to shooting the fight, things still change on the set at a moment’s notice. For example, during Sakra , Yen would ask Kenji if they could incorporate a video move he saw on Tic Tok or when he had a thought about doing a far out visual gag that sounded impossible to do, the “let’s try” attitude often leads to creating memorable images of pure golden magic. It’s why each of the three main fights in Sakra , have different discernable flavors that deliver a visual feast that will satisfy even the most discerning martial arts aficionados. Every movement, every strike, and every acrobatic feat is meticulously executed, reflecting the dedication and expertise of the performers and the creative teams behind the scenes. The opening Inn fight emulates Qiao Feng’s gentlemanly nature, the second, where everybody in Wu Lin is trying to kill him, reflects his vicious anger and the violence he’s capable of creating, and the finale fight reveals the helplessness of his situation as he needs to conquer himself by understanding certain spiritual aspects of Chi. Yet the pervading energy of each fight is unified by showing the destructive power of the fighters via destroying many of the sets and props by smashing them into smithereens. Beyond the technical brilliance, the fight choreography in Sakra serves a larger purpose; it embodies the themes and spirit of the novel. It explores the duality of human nature, the struggle between light and darkness, and the pursuit of personal growth and enlightenment. The battles not only showcase the physical prowess yet they also convey the internal conflicts and moral dilemmas faced by the characters, which adds depth and complexity to the tale. Sakra is played with edge and appetite, a film you can really sink your teeth into.