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Judo: The Animo Way

After the recent third and fourth finish of the Green and Lady Judokas, respectively, this UAAP season, it seems like DLSU’s quest for its first Judo championship would have to continue next year.

 

Judo has existed for a century or so, yet many know little about the Japanese sport.

 

And though Lasallians encounter Judo in their FWTEAMS Physical Education (PE) courses usually taught by the Judokas’ Head Coach Sam Bernales, many still know little about the sport.

 

From Japan to UAAP

 

Judo became an official event in the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. The sport became an official Olympic game after Judo fans and promoters all over the world requested for its inclusion.

 

The International Judo Federation (IJF), which is the governing body of Judo also asked for the sport’s inclusion.

 

Thirty-one years after, during the Academic Year 1995-1996, the UAAP decided to integrate Judo to its lineup of second half sports in its 58th season. Conflicts in the volleyball TV coverage, however, forced the UAAP to move the sport to the first semester.

 

Since its inclusion in the UAAP list, De La Salle University has yet to seize its first Judo championship. DLSU, however, has been a contender for a podium finish since the start of UAAP Judo.

 

Head Coach Sam Bernales believes though that DLSU will grab its first Judo championship soon.

 

“Each year the team improves, it is only a matter of time that the team will reach their goals knowing in hand, they have sacrificed a lot to both training and to the team,” he concluded.

The “art” in Judo

 

For some, Judo is a dangerous sport because of increasing competition and pressure to clinch a victory. Players do suffer injuries via takedowns and tackles.

 

Green Judoka and Team Captain Keith Ver embodies a competitive attitude. Despite suffering a knee injury, he continued to play this season; he even snared bronze in the -60kg category.

 

Despite this, many Judokas have relatively few injuries because most understand the level of physicality Judo brings to the table.

 

For the Judokas, Judo is more than a bid for a win or a medal. It is an art, a mastery of skills and values. Moreover, Judo is a way of life that emphasizes discipline, determination and faith in life.

 

The most important value for any aspiring Judoka is discipline. Medalist Lady Judoka Florence Payno embodies this. Discipline paid off when the graduating psychology major earned a gold in her last eligible UAAP season.

 

Unique in its own way

 

Judo requires proper timing, various techniques and Judo attributes such as confidence, faith, and determination, to be victorious, making it unique among other sports.

 

Moreover, Judo emphasizes the need for samurai spirit, a fighting spirit that highlights soundness of mind and body.

Jerome Alvarez

By Jerome Alvarez

Cayrone Jarett Lim

By Cayrone Jarett Lim

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