20 years in the making! Judo Shodan!

**DarkPhoenix** · Posted On: 8/30/2012 7:30am

Hey guys,

I figured the TMA forums would be a good place to post a more serious post. I already started one in Trollshido (http://www.bullshido.net/forums/showthread.php?t=117634) regarding my shodan testing in Judo. That one is for the OMGWTFBBQ fun.

After almost 20 years, broken up into 4-5 year chunks, I have finally tested and successfully passed to get my shodan. It was a lot easier than I thought, but a lot of that goes to my uke and obviously my instructor for teaching me the techniques.

It started with the general knowledge and vocab portion, which was written, but the examiner asked me a handful of them just to make sure I actually knew the info. After that started the practical knowledge portion. I had to demonstrate 30 throws, 20 of my choosing and 10 of the examiner's. This consisted of a smattering of left handed throws to see if I can transition to an off hand.

The Osaikomi-waza was next and that was just 6 pins of his choosing. My favourite parts were the shime-waza and kansetsu-waza. I screwed up on the Juji-gatame a little by not pulling my hips in as tight as I could have, but it was effective.

All in all, the test took a little under 2 hours and and I was really nervous going in, but after I did the first throw, it was like everything flooded in and smooth sailing from that point. I have to thank Neil Ohlenkamp and his site judoinfo.com for helping me study the day of the test so I didn't screw up leg or hand placement on the throws and completely boggle them.

Next step is to get my ref and coach certs with USJA and USA Judo. Since I am too old to compete, aside from masters, I am going the ref and coach route to keep myself as entrenched in judo as possible. I will be competing in Sport Ju Jitsu tourney when they come around because I like to punch and kick people, and that is just frowned upon in Shiai.

Thanks Bullshido for keeping some of the arts honest and for the inspiration. Now time for some pushups!

**Fuzzy** · Posted On: 8/30/2012 7:36am

Nicely done sir.

**Ming Loyalist** · Posted On: 8/30/2012 7:40am

Originally Posted by DarkPhoenix

Next step is to get my ref and coach certs with USJA and USA Judo. Since I am too old to compete, aside from masters, I am going the ref and coach route to keep myself as entrenched in judo as possible.

good work!

i am also considering the ref/coach path after shodan, but i was wondering if it is common to pursue both. from what i see, most either choose to be a ref or a coach, but maybe that's just in my circle. i'd be interested to hear what you have been told.

**DarkPhoenix** · Posted On: 8/30/2012 7:42am

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

Nicely done sir.

Thanks Fuzzy!

Originally Posted by Ming Loyalist

good work!

i am also considering the ref/coach path after shodan, but i was wondering if it is common to pursue both. from what i see, most either choose to be a ref or a coach, but maybe that's just in my circle. i'd be interested to hear what you have been told.

It is common in JA to choose one path. I am going for both to see which one best suits me. That and the head instructor wants to have at least one other certified coach besides himself for the players that we have. The JF instructor wants me to continue with the ref certs because he needs Refs. I will probably see you at the ref clinics if you go. I know he does them for nikyu and above.

Google Billy Martin Judo and PM me with your email address. I will get you on the Hudson Judo mailing list with all of the dates for the ref and coach clinics.

**Ming Loyalist** · Posted On: 8/30/2012 8:04am

Originally Posted by DarkPhoenix

Google Billy Martin Judo and PM me with your email address. I will get you on the Hudson Judo mailing list with all of the dates for the ref and coach clinics.

i'm on billy martin's mailing list, and will be at the coach clinic in september, so i'll see you there. probably going to skip the ref clinic for now, as i do enjoy coaching more, and the only real reason i want to be a ref is because i think i would do a good job, and we need more good refs.

**DarkPhoenix** · Posted On: 8/30/2012 8:12am

Originally Posted by Ming Loyalist

i'm on billy martin's mailing list, and will be at the coach clinic in september, so i'll see you there. probably going to skip the ref clinic for now, as i do enjoy coaching more, and the only real reason i want to be a ref is because i think i would do a good job, and we need more good refs.

Cool. Billy told me yesterday that he may be looking for a new venue for the Coach clicnic. He said he would send out the email in the next day or two. It may be at my club if SI falls through.

**NeilG** · Posted On: 8/30/2012 8:39am

Congratulations! No kata required? That was the main portion of my exam.

**judojeff** · Posted On: 8/30/2012 8:48am

Well done! I know in my area theres is almost always a shortage of refs (this may be due to me living in bumble **** no where hahaha) so i know thats my plan after getting shodan, alongside active competion for a while.