Despite wanting to keep up with this blog, I seem to have lost focus. Lets see if I can get it going again.
The spazzy white belt
Got matched up twice with a former marine with very strong grips and a will to win at all costs.
Its a good thing, really. Those frequently athletic but new to jiu-jitsu uke, sparring partners, are good for your game. They are good for your game the same way trying to handle a wrestler would be. They move in a different way than you expect, and you can also work on things you wouldn’t normally get away with. Work on your butterfly guard, let them pass your guard and work on your recomposing. Just watch out for the flailing limbs and the occasional headlock. You’ll be fine.
Last update for awhile
Seems I kept doing a version of this post even before I left my journal. Generally meant I wasn’t keeping up with it and wanted to start over so to speak, or at least make sure where everything stands. Much has changed, but a lot has stayed the same. I got my purple belt middle of last year, one stripe toward brown and I’m retooling my game, again. I was really into doing half guard for a long while and still play with it a bit mostly with the half-butterfly. I tend to do a hybrid open guard threatening the scissor sweep, and still play with the basics of closed guard when they let me pull it. My passing game is probably better, but I think everyone’s retention even more so. I still have dreams to be able to train constantly, and that really isn’t feasible with my work and family, so I have come to terms with it. The constant guilt is still there.
I am looking forward to the ADCC this year, and will probably try and do a my own workup on it, as soon as I can get a good lineup. Probably a third of the participants, I know very little of. More to come.
Who’s still reading?
Decided to follow up on my journal again, will give an update soon.
Doing my thing.
I ended up not doing the tournament, which wasn’t a big surprise considering my schedule and how it can wreck my not so budding bjj career. First, work put some pressure on me to show up that saturday and then changed their minds later when sunday work didn’t seem be that much of a priority. I was feeling those old man aches anyways and my stamina was crazy bad. I will focus on a few things and try after the new year. The big 45, it seems crazy that I’m already here, relatively still kicking it. Actually loving life a little bit more even though class Tuesday really sucked. Gassing is bad, and I really need to get a hold of it if I want to do any tournaments in 2018.
I kinda put some pressure on myself to get to purple belt and that’s a fine goal. Despite not wanting to focus on belts, I kinda been doing this thing since 2006 and really want to get to that next level, Technique wise or belt wise, same same. I know I’m not there yet, but I want to get there and then hang out. Figure out my game, work on my judo and have some fun. Not that I’m not having fun now, but its just there, hanging out. I even like the color. I think I could stay at purple for a few more years, hopefully not a decade though. lol
I’m proud of myself sticking it out, but really I just love the sport. 
Tournament Prep
Once I committed myself to going to this tournament that is on Dec 2, a number of things popped up that usually happens in these situations. My job decided that I needed to stay over 2 to 3 hours for a week at a time and despite this , money also became a problem. Time and money both being the usual pain in the ass. Despite this, I spent about 2 and half weeks doing alot of stuff outside of class and somehow found myself at 2 or 3 extra judo classes that meet later but closer to my work. Generally, I think my technique is ok, I have a gameplan and I am going to do both gi and no gi, simply because I have a feeling that I will do poorly and want extra matches. Simply enough, I don’t think I have enough time on the mat. My defense is pretty good, but that is tied into my stamina which I have 2 weeks to work on. Despite a nagging back, I will also put in as much mat time as I can in the next two weeks.
I really wanted to do this tournament not only because it had been awhile, but also to jump start my progress and to show my instructor that I was committed to the team and to improving. I get the sense that he likes those that show the want to test their skills against others, and seems to push them more often. Belts aren’t everything, but I really would like to get my purple belt in a year or so. I kinda want to work on my judo black belt also after that point.
In all honesty though, I love this art. Whether in my head, where I call the whole thing just plain “Judo”, call it old school ju-jitsu or Brazilian jiu-jitsu or whatever, I love it. It centers me, brings out the best in me, and generally makes me happy despite my failings at it.
First tournament in 7 years.
I am currently preparing for a tournament that will be Atlanta, Dec 2, 3. I have tried to prepare before but time and/or money seems to get in the way. I have no such excuses this time. Not only do I have the money available, but I already cleared the day with work. More than slightly nervous, but I have been focusing more on my cardio and doing as many classes as I can. I have a gameplan in mind, especially for Gi. Lots of top pressure and try to use my rusty judo alot. More updates on my preparation later.
Judofunk is back doing Judo.
With a name like that, you would think that would be self evident, but not really. Part of that history is in introductions or the about section, but long story short, life namely moving got in the way, and a car accident cut much of my practice short somewhere around 2010, 2011. I had gotten my brown belt by then, but had already felt that my love was for an all around game, not for Olympic rules judo. At least as the rules were interrupted at the time. As anyone that has watched Americans in the Olympics, those that medaled did it by focusing on Newaza and Travis Stevens was famous about getting his black belt in BJJ very quickly and under the tutelage of John Danaher no less.
I had meant to steady up my standup by checking out the local judo club again. Finally made it up there last night and it was great. They have always done a good split of newaza randori in the past and things hadn’t changed much. They still had a very fast and powerful game, depending on pins and was very little stalling. The throws were still there and it felt great. Despite my less than perfect amount of free time. I’ve decided to check out the club every Monday for awhile. I may even try to get my black belt, which is doable, perhaps. Never really been good at remembering certain less than common throws, nomenclature and the small details. I have alot of the same problems in BJJ, but I will do my best. Actually very excited about the possibilities and it is something to look forward to.
ADCC 2017
Current list of athletes competing.
Super excited about this event due the the fact that there are alot of exciting new people and superstar veterans. My gym will probably try and broadcast it at the school, but times might be off since it’s in finland. Who are your favorites for winning , especially the overalls?
Who's on top? 