1st Dan and beyond

Well, it’s been a while since I posted here, so I guess some form of update is in order!

On 12th October 2008, I picked up the remaining competition points I needed to qualify for my 1st Dan, at the Hampshire grading. I remember being told that “the last 10 points are the worst”. Thankfully, I only needed 3 so I guess I side-stepped that.

I picked up 30. This included qualifying for a line-up but unfortunately I drew the second contest, so I had to settle for gaining the 1st Dan by points.

There was some fretting as it took three weeks for my licence to be sent off and make its way back to me, but it is now officially stamped up and registered.

This means that I can now start learning Judo.

I have relaxed a lot recently. In fact, I guess you could say I started relaxing at the competition prior to this grading: I gained Silver at the High Wycombe Kyu Cup. When I went into this competition, I had the philosophy of, “Well, 10 points would be nice”. I won my first contest within about ten seconds. Job done for the day, I relaxed and each time just bounced out to have some fun.

I ended up winning my pool, semi-final, and then (unfortunately) losing the final despite being ahead by Wazari at one point. But I gained 37 points from all that.

I am now concentrating on, for want of a much better phrase, “soft” Judo. Well, isn’t that what “Ju” is all about? If someone takes a grip I don’t like, I go with it, or nullify it with small movements (instead of RAWWRRR movements and snapping things off). I’ve been concentrating on Ashiwaza, and also Tai Otoshi. I love Tai Otoshi now, especially how it combines with so many other throws depending on what Uke does.

I am feeling how partners in Randori transmit their intentions through their arms and movement, again thanks to me loosening up. Of course, I know for a fact that I tense up still sometimes, and I need to snap out of that.

I have also started learning Kata. This is something I feel the BJA must make compulsory in the Kyu syllabus. I used to be pretty ambivalent to it, but each kata session there is some form of “Ahhhhh!” moment of understanding. I am a true kata novice but already feel it being useful. Even at levels of tying the belt differently or performing Ukemi correctly!