I'm going to leverage the collective will of Clutchfans to help me make a tough decision. This year the US Judo nationals are in Houston on April 21st. I'm very tempted to compete but. I haven't competed in almost a year due to injury. I'm healed but am far from 100% (and at this point will never be a 100% due to lingering injury.) I'm physically capable of sparring and am doing OK. I'm 36 now and will be competing in the 35-39 age group. I'm still at the competition weight that I competed at last year. On top of rust and recovery from injury my work is really busy with a couple of projects at crucial times. So I'm looking at possible injury, likely defeat, problems with work and very sore muscles but on the other side competing back in hometown, some great competition, possible victory, possible glory and scratching the competitive itch that's been bothered me since I had to step away from the mat. Should I do it? (also a Clutchfans cheering section might help me make up my mind )
It's the back flaring up again huh? Tmac, calm down. Rest yourself for 06-07. I always knew it was you.
Judo, I haven't heard that word in a long time. I used to be in Judo (taking lessons). It was fun. As for your match, well I'm the only one who voted so far.
i voted no. you might shoot your eye out. if they break your arms, how will you post on this board? i re read the post before i hit submit reply. it says you will be hooking it up in the old geezers bracket. I thought you were going to be in combat with some 25 year old guys. but if you feel like you can go agaisnt the geezers, why not? if i can change the No to a Yes, i will.
Don't do it. The glory (if you win) is nice but the pain and suffering from potential injuries will haunt you for l o n g time. It's not like you have to fight for your life. You are reaching an age where your body won't be so quick to recover from damages.
Hey, at 35-39, I doubt ANYBODY is 100%. C'mon. This is a chance to get out there and run some fools in your hometown in front of your friends and family. If you lose, you lose, but at least you know if you can still go or not.
It's true. For the same reasons, this might be the last chance to do this kind of thing. The risk has always been there, but it's not why you compete, eh?
Before I vote, I need to know this: what kind of injuries are being hazarded in this kind of competition? Remember that The Karate Kid got his leg swept...
You're lucky that nobody knows how old Chuck Norris REALLY is, or he just might kick your ass...(what, you actually thought that there would be a martial arts related thread without a Chuck Norris reset?)
Go for it. Injury was a possibility when you were 100% as well. That is always a possibility. Just try to ease in as much training as you can now, and once you are more comfortable train harder, or as much as time permits. You will probably feel good knocking that rust off. That good kind of renewed feeling could help you do well at the tourney. Plus, like you said, it gives you a good reason to go back to Houston.
For those of you who aren't familiar with Judo Judo is a grappling art involving throws, pins, armlocks and chokes. There aren't kicks or punches.
