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Written by James Walmsley, Morningstar Judo Club
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Saturday, 17 April 2010 00:00 |
Hiro Fujimoto, 88 years old, a pioneer of Konan Yudanshakai and a past president of the USJF, passed away peacefully in Naples Florida, early morning 4/8/2010. His family was at his side. Sensei Fujimoto was a co-founder of the Detroit Judo Club and helped produce champions and administrators. He did much for the development of the USJF, and we enjoy the fruits of his labors. Respectfully, One of his many students,
James Walmsley Morning Star Judo Club
Arizona Yudanshakai |
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Written by John B. Weiner, OZEKI JUDO DOJO (Las Vegas, NV )
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Sunday, 04 October 2009 00:00 |
Why so great? Jim Bregman was the first American to win a medal at the first Olympics
that featured Judo. At the time of his win I was a young judoka in Las
Vegas under Sensei Carl Dudoit and he became a hero to me and an idol
and an inspiration in my life. The way he never gave up, the way he
worked his way up the Judo ladder and the way he conducted his personal
life. And when I joined the Marine Corps, Jim Bregman was with me
throughout Boot Camp, with never give up never stop strive to be the
best after Boot Camp I went on to be in the elite group called Force
Recon. And while in Vietnam actually on the same day a man walked on the
moon, July 20th 1969, I was seriously wounded in combat and was listed
unofficially as Missing In Action along with my three man recon team.
Jim was still with me I vowed to live and survive and to get my men back
to the hospital. We lasted five days in enemy infested area dodging
hardcore NVA solders and finally we were rescued by a Marine company. I
credit my survival to Mr Bregman and have always held him in extremely
high regard. |
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Written by Danielle Clinton, SHOJIN JUDO (Detroit, MI)
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Saturday, 03 October 2009 00:00 |
Why so great? I have learned so much from this man, both on and off the mat. I admire him as a teacher, mentor, and friend. His passion for sharing his knowledge with others illustrates the deeper meaning of Judo. Thank you, Sensei. You've helped make me who I am today. |
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Written by Demosthenes Lorandos
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Tuesday, 22 September 2009 17:38 |
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Now that I have recovered a bit, I want to thank each of you for your graciousness and patience with me. Thank you for your patience with me and for giving me the chance to learn the ko soto gake you wanted to see. Also, your graciousness when I blanked out on nami juji jime. You told me that you’d blanked out a time or two and then threw me a hint. Thanks.
You kindly remembered that it was “International Talk Like A Pirate Day” and made a point to come up to me in the beginning, hug me and say “Arrrg! You’re way too compulsive. Relax! You’ll do just fine.” Thanks.
When I drew Sheehan Sensei (the toughest grader in the Yudanshaki!) I looked at you and thought “holy crap!” When Sheehan Sensei started my evaluation by asking for a throw I’d struggled with for many hours with you, I though “crap! I’m going to fail.” You just looked at me and smiled and said “Go ahead. You can do this.” Thanks.
Your suggestion that I come back to Judo after a forty year absence; your making me do every throw migi & hidari over and over and over; your unflagging support and your mentoring me carried me through all these months of preparation. Thanks.
I told you that I wanted to try for Nidan at age 63+ with two wrecked shoulders. You gave up countless hours of your family and personal time to teach me, coach me and insist on the best from me over and over and over in every single technique and both kata. Your mentorship and unflagging support meant more to me than I can say. Thanks.
Your support, your insistence that I learn and demonstrate each of these 50+ techniques in a real way - - a way that would show that I can actually do these techniques in a natural and dynamic way was a heck of a challenge. I think I made it. Thanks.
John, you stuck with me through countless hours and too many bad throws. Your worked each throw and kata technique through with me and taught me to say “Dude” in every sentence. Your comments, feedback and dedication were an example of the real spirit of judo. Thanks.
Thank you all. |
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