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Dear USJF and Mrs. Julie Koyama,

Thank you for sponsoring my judo trip to Japan. The trip was very fun, and I enjoyed it a lot. The judo in Japan is almost all technique and very little strength. They did foot sweeps very fluidly and their uchi mata was very smooth. They gave me techniques to come home and work on, including a variation of yoko sankaku and an uchi mata drill. After experiencing the judo in Japan and taking home these techniques, I expect my judo to become much better.

One thing that was good for me was practicing with people from different countries. Russia and China had big and strong competitors while Japan and many other countries from Asia had very good technique. The types of judo I experienced while practicing with people from different countries really helped me understand my judo better.

Our team from America bonded immediately and we had lots of fun together. We enjoyed practicing together and at the tournament we were each other’s biggest supporters. Global Arena was very beautiful and the people there were very nice and helpful. We ate every meal together as a team and I enjoyed my experience with my team at Global Arena and Taisei very much.

My trip to Japan wasn’t only to Taisei and Global Arena. Before I went to Global Arena, we visited families in Tamana, which is where my sensei was from, and who had sent judoka to Fresno in the Summer of 2018. In Fresno, my family hosted two of the boys, and it was fun to get to see them in their homes. Me and my friend Brandon, who is also from Fresno, were there for four days. While we were there, we practiced with the Tamana teams and experienced what it is like to live in a Japanese home. We went to two castles and ate lots of fabulous food.

Thank you very much to USJF and everyone else who helped sponsor my trip to Japan. I really learned a lot from my trip and am very grateful for it.

Sincerely,
Tyler Speir

The Sanix/Taisei competition and training was an experience that I will truly never forget. I met so many great people, learned so many great things, and most importantly I gained new life skills for my future. This experience gave me insight into what I can become as a young man in life and what I can strive to be as I get older. The spirit and passion for Judo stood out to me the most as I trained and competed. Everyone worked hard without complaints, treated each of their teammates like family, and most of all they showed that they loved what they were doing every second of the week.

As for the U.S. team, I am very proud of how we performed. Although some of my teammates may have been disappointed in their overall performance, I think that we made an impact by showing the heart and determination in our training and the competition.

A special thank you goes out to my teammates who were so kind and motivating. Without them, this trip would not have been as fun and eye-opening for me.

Of course, we could not do this without the help and support of Saito Sensei, and our coach Imamura Sensei. Without their guidance, the bond and relationships that were formed between all of us would not be possible.

I would also like to thank everyone from Sanix and Taisei who helped show me the true potential for my Judo in the future.

Finally, I would like to thank my parents and Yonezuka Sensei for making this trip possible for me, and for making my Judo what it is today. Without everyone that I have previously mentioned the outcome for me at the training and competitions would not be possible. Jita Kyoei

To USJF and Mrs Julie Koyama

Thank you so much for supporting my judo training and travel. I would like to especially thank you for not just one, but two Sanix opportunities.

I love the Sanix trip. The judo I experienced on the trip was unlike anything I see in America. The judoka were extremely respectful and had clean judo. There was a lot of tecnique put into their judo and they did not use strength, but instead, skill. I love the fluidity of judo there. It is not choppy, as one technique flows into another to create beautiful and effective judo. The other great thing is that having the opportunity to go two times on this trip, I am able to see the improvement I have made. Last year, my judo was pretty rough and choppy. After experiencing such skillful judo on last year’s trip, I came home and worked on my technique.

I trained drills that would help me to get fluid judo to fight like the judoka I worked with in Japan. I also worked with some black belts who I knew were very skilled to help me develop fluid judo. Then, thanks to you and USJF, I was able to go back to Japan and I saw a lot of improvement. I did much better in the practices and tournaments. I could tell my judo was much smoother than last year and was much more like the Japanese style of judo I want to have. It was amazing to be able to see how my hard work had paid off. I would never have had that opportunity if not given the chance to go on the Sanix trip for a second time.

The Sanix trip was not only a great judo experience, but a cultural one as well. It was amazing to get to go into the city and see what everyday life looks like for people living on the other side of the world. In addition, this year, I went to numerous temples, shrines, and museums. I got to learn about a lot of Japanese culture by going to these places. Furthermore, I was able to stay in Tokyo for an extra day and got to see the Kodokan, the Senso-jil temple where judo was born, and Shihan Jigoro Kano’s grave. That was huge for me, such a spiritual thing to be able to visit the homeland of judo and seeing where judo originated, were it is most predominant now, and where the founder of judo now rests. The trip was absolutely amazing. Thank you so much for supporting my judo journey and not only giving me one Sanix opportunity, but two. Thank you!

Sincerely,
Rachel Cook

Before anything, I would like to thank Saito Sensei for giving me my second opportunity going to take part in Sanix. I also give my thanks to Sensei Richard and the parents: Rueben, Patrick, John, Karen.

US Team at Taisei with Coach Richard Kai third from left

For me to have lived in Japan for over 8 years, I do not have much to say about my experience there, being that I am Japanese.

Kai and Sam

One thing that I could say is that regardless of the time I go there, it is clean, convenient and the food is very good.

As for the judo, it continues to amaze me. The judo there is not only a sport, but a lifestyle as well. Being respectful, having courage, and always striving to become better is part of what real judo is. Also in a literal sense, the judokas in Japan often stay in school dorms away from their parents to judo meaning their lives revolve around judo. It was said that the players do judo 364 days a year with only one break.

Tasei practice

One thing that I took from this trip and will reflect on is my lack of responsibility. Getting hurt and not practicing is one thing but getting hurt and forcing my team to fight one man short is another. Not carrying my weight when my team needs me is not acceptable for any situation. As simple as it is, I will work on keeping myself in good shape so I can give my all in tournaments and be there for my team.

Overall, I think the Sanix trip is a good experience for anybody and I will continue to treasure it through the years. Not just the trip, but the people I met on this trip will forever be remembered on my lifelong judo journey.

Thanks to John Baylock who created a video and shared it on his facebook page.

Please visit the Sanix Facebook Group Page for more information.