JUDO!!

So I've been interested in checking out Judo while I'm in Japan. I did wrestling in high school and that seems like ages ago now! Man, this whole getting older every year is pretty depressing...:( but i guess it's what you do with your life as you continue to get older that counts!

So I went in after school today to check out the Judo bukatsu. I figure that Judo and wrestling were are pretty similar in technique. The object is to throw your opponent to the ground and pin them. After joining them in warm ups (where I found out that I can do a front handspring) I learned some basic throws/techniques from one of the Junior High school 3rd graders. I think he's one of the captains and has lots of experience. After learning some basic throws and using one of his friends as a throwing dummy (poor guy) I joined in some of the live grapples with the rest of the team.

It was definitely fun! Haha, I felt kind of bad because I'm bigger than a lot of the kids and so I have an advantage. But I definitely caught on to some of the techniques...I just now have to practice against some of the bigger kids (Trust me, the big kids are BIG!) and then I can actually start doing Judo with some people either my size. I felt bad for some of the younger kids...but they wanted to challenge me! I mean, when you're a student, it's always fun to challenge your teacher, especially the English teacher in Judo, right?!?!

Haha, it was a fun bukatsu day. I'm definitely tired and will be sore for the next few days, but it's fun! I think I will be going back as regularly as I can. I've been meaning to run and do exercise on my own, but it's been too busy between Speech contest practice after school everyday, Eikaiwa classes, and other duties around my school. So going to Judo is a good way to get my exercise in and learn something new at the same time!

I even received a Judogi set (the special uniform they wear for Judo). I will be using it from now on, and feel kind of part of the team!

Well, I'm looking forward to my new "hobby" and will keep updates on how I fare out....if I survive!