Outis Does a Shiai

**Outis** · Posted On: 11/07/2011 12:41am

Well, I took the plunge and decided to test myself in a shiai, so I entered the Houston Open Judo Tournament this past Saturday. As far as I know, at age 58, I was the oldest one to actually compete; there was a black belt there who turns 67 this month, but there were no advanced masters players for him to compete against, so he won his category uncontested. I was in the master novice category along with one other entrant, a young punk just in his mid-40s; he was two judo belts ahead of me and was a blue belt in BJJ to boot.

We had two matches, and he ipponed me with tani otoshi each time. The first match briefly went to the ground, where I blocked a tate shiho gatame attempt by getting one knee up. I rolled out, dove for one leg, and got him down; but he put me in his guard and then we got stood back up.

My coach said that I clearly had superior upper body strength, but that I was too slow turning in and needed to "blast in" to get a throw off. I'm going to work on that. And I'm planning on entering again next year.

**whatever123** · Posted On: 11/07/2011 1:36am

Good for you

Wish you better luck next time

**Outis** · Posted On: 11/07/2011 6:23pm

Thanks, gents.

Every now and then a thread pops up where someone in his 30s or 40s wonders if he's too old to start judo. I hope my experience might encourage others to go for it.

**Gosai** · Posted On: 11/11/2011 8:56pm

Awesome story, cant wait to hear about how you fair next year.

Speaking of, I need to start lookin' round abouts my area for some competitions.

**Outis** · Posted On: 11/11/2011 11:36pm

Originally Posted by Gosai

Speaking of, I need to start lookin' round abouts my area for some competitions.

Hope you find something and let us know how it goes. I'm already eyeballing a grappling tournament that's coming through in August that has in the past featured a 40+ division. Since I'm augmenting my judo newaza with some BJJ, I thought it might be interesting to test my groundwork against others in my same age bracket and experience level.

**Sorekara** · Posted On: 11/12/2011 8:01pm

Inspired

**Syphilis** · Posted On: 11/12/2011 8:14pm

super cool! I have a lot of respect for older dudes who start competing! Learn and grow!

**judoratt** · Posted On: 11/12/2011 11:48pm

Great job outis keep it up

**Naszir** · Posted On: 11/13/2011 5:56am

Congratulations! You get nothing but respect for competing. Out of curiosity where is your club? Also if you get a chance, you might want to check out the tournaments run out of Universal Judo in SATX. I hope to see you on the mats.