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One Word to Describe Judo
by
Rev. Marshall R. Coffman
“Dynamic”
Several years ago, a
young teenage student asked me to describe Judo with one word.
Immediately, I responded, “Dynamic”! Naturally, the teen
challenged my answer with, “Why”? Of course this took more
intense thought on my part, but here is how I answered.
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Dynamic because of Judo’s first guiding principle “Maximum
efficiency with minimum effort.” In Judo one learns to use
his or her body and strength most efficiently. One also
learns to use another person’s strength against him.
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Dynamic because of Judo’s second guiding principle “Mutual
welfare and benefit.” One learns respect for others and to
have concern for the welfare of others. Teachers and
students mutually learn and grow together. Students
naturally learn from their instructors but they also learn by
helping lesser experienced students. Instructors learn
from their students. One also learns in Judo from the
mutual learning experiences of both winning and losing.
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Dynamic because Judo as both a sport and martial art provides a
well balanced training for both the body and mind. Judo
training requires intense physical conditioning. Mentally
students develop conditioned reflexes and thought processes.
Since then, I add two more and perhaps in the years to come I will
add more.
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Dynamic because of the lifelong bonds that develop between
instructors, students and classmates. Friendships form and
a deep sense of camaraderie develops between classmates and
other judoka from other clubs. Everyone becomes a
cheerleader and encourager.
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Dynamic because the principles of Judo extend into the
development of moral excellence. One’s character ranks
highly important in the study of Judo. Dr. Jigoro Kano,
the founder of Judo, expressed Judo’s ultimate goal as the
perfection of human character. I believe that Judo
surpasses by comparison all other sports and martial arts when
it comes to ethics. Judo’s code of ethics demands every
judoka to excel in such areas as safety, sportsmanship, respect,
nondiscrimination, honesty, orderly conduct, lawful conduct,
loyalty, fairness and proper influence.
When one enters into the study of Judo, one enters into a rewarding,
lifelong study. Practically, everyone who I know from Judo has
not only been successful in Judo but also successful in life.
That’s “DYNAMIC”!
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