November 2000
  How Has P.G. Judo Been Doing in Competition?
  Fall Beginners Classes Well Attended
  Judo Gis Needed for Next Summer’s Judo Camp
  P.G. Judo Needs Better Representation At Away Shiais

  September 2000
  McProuty Competes in Three Nationals
  Judo Camp a Success!
  Eastern Open a Success!
  Zenas Chang Receives Academic Recognition Award!
  Preparations for Promotions!

How Has P.G. Judo Been Doing in Competition?

In September the Club attended two tournaments: the Virginia State Open in Arlington, Va. and the NATIONS tournament in Dayton, Ohio.

At the Virginia State Open, the club was represented by the Labanz, McProuty, and Takemori families-all junior competitors. Justin Takemori took fourth place in his first competition outside the dojo. Ryan Labanz took second in his weight category, Carl Labanz took first, and Shelby Labanz took third. Rachel McProuty took first in her weight classes in both the junior and senior divisions. Owen McProuty took first place in his weight class.

Greg Goebel and the McProuty family represented the PG Judo Club in competition at the NATIONS Tournament. Rachel McProuty took first place awards in three different divisions. Owen McProuty took third in his first Open Division competition. Greg Goebel and Rachel took fourth in Ju No Kata, and Greg and Helen McProuty took third in the Goshin Jitsu kata competition.

Mark your calendar! The next NATIONS tournament is Sept. 12-13, 2001.

Fall Beginners Classes Well Attended

You may not realize the effect you have on those around you when you talk about judo. However, this fall’s Beginner’s Classes are well attended thanks to your hard work and the good press you give our classes. Almost all of the new beginning students have come from the personal recommendations from you. Thanks go to the Rilee family for getting their dad to start; to Rebecca McProuty for encouraging her two classmates to consider judo two years ago; to Gopal, a student of Sensei Tamai, for encouraging his neighbor; to Eric Spears for speaking to his friends over the years, so they brought their son; and thanks to several former judoka who remembered the benefits of judo from their youth and brought their children to the dojo for training (we hope you take up the study of Judo again). It is only by the good words you speak about judo and the encouragement you give others to begin classes that our club can grow and your practice and competition can become better.

Spring classes for beginners begin on January 15th at Glenn Dale and January 16th at Deerfield Run. Club flyers are available for you to give to individuals who may be interested in taking a class to explore the sport of judo. The beginning classes are also an excellent way for athletes to improve their conditioning over the winter months. Judo is flexibility training, strength training and aerobic exercise combined into one sport. The best benefit of judo training is learning how to fall and protect yourself in the process.

Judo Gis Needed for Next Summer’s Judo Camp

If you have any used judo gis sitting around at home that you or your child can no longer use, just taking up space, please consider donating them to us. (If you prefer we will purchase it from you.) We need gis from size 000 to size 5.

PG Judo Club will put the gis to good use. We rent gis to our beginning class students (for a $10 usage fee) and loan gis to our summer camp students. This year, due to the age of some of the gis and the heavy use we give them, we came up short and had to purchase several new gis for the beginning students. It will take the Club three years to recoup the cost of that purchase. In the fortunate event that we receive more gis than we can use ourselves, we will find good homes for the gis you send. There are several clubs in the area that can make good use of used judo gis that are in good condition.

We would rather spend our funds in support of our students and parents than spending it on new uniforms. Please contact Sensei Takemori, Greg Goebel or Helen McProuty if you have any gis you wish to be rid of. Thank you for your help!

P. G. Judo Needs Better Representation At Away Shiais

The Club needs better representation at the away tournaments we attend. These tournaments are carefully selected to provide your child with the best competition in the safest environment possible. They are designed to teach your children what kind of competition is out there in the judo world and how to behave while away from the family unit.

Parents do not need to attend an away tournament with their children. The Club follows very carefully both Park and Planning and USJF travel requirements and recommendations. You will need to sign at least one form to allow for medical treatment, if necessary. USJF/JI membership is also necessary. Transportation is usually provided by Park and Planning.

Chaperoning and coaching are done by Greg Goebel and Helen McProuty. If you are hesitant, please remember, your children will probably be better behaved on a trip than they will be at home. We find this is true for several reasons: the children are in an unfamiliar environment and are unfamiliar with their limits; the staff is known, so discipline, and personal expectations are familiar; and motivation for good behavior (success at the tournament and attendance at future competitions) is quite powerful.

We are quite aware that away tournaments can be costly, so we make a supreme effort to keep costs down. The next scheduled away trip is to the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia in late March. If you are interested in allowing your child to attend an away tournament and have any questions please speak with Sensei Takemori, or Greg Goebel or Helen McProuty.


McProuty Competes in Three Nationals

Preparation began in March for Rachel as she planned to begin competing on a national level in July. She started serious physical therapy exercise on her injured knee. And then, started practicing judo 5-6 days a week, making all the practice sessions of P. G. Judo Club and then going on Fridays to Washington Judo Club’s practice sessions. When a competition was held on the weekend, she competed. Later, in June, since she didn’t know when weigh-ins would be held she started watching her weight and figuring out how her weight fluctuated during the day.

Finally, the tournament flyers began to arrive and she began collecting all the documentation she needed to compete. Plane reservations were made. Mr. Takemori’s and her schedule was two tournaments in Oakland, CA. on consecutive weekends, the 1st & 2nd and the 8th & 9th. A flight home, then a tournament in Charlotte, N.C., and finally, a flight to Miami for the Maruchan Youth International….four major tournaments in July.

The end results were encouraging for Rachel. After reinjuring her knee and having to withdraw from the USJF Junior Nationals, her first tournament. She placed fourth in the Junior Olympics, her second tournament. In North Carolina, competing against the same girls she fought in California, she came in third. Finally, in Miami, she took third.

The experience of competing in a national level tournament was the only objective of this first trip. If she didn’t place at all everyone would have been quite happy. It was thrilling to watch her learn and develop into a more determined player. She was knocked out of several competitions by the same girl. The first time she got injured. The second time she lost by a yuko after about a minute of competition. The third time she lost by a koka in the last 10 seconds of the match. Now her nemesis’ dad is e-mailing Rachel to check on her progress as a player. It pays to keep and eye on dangerous competition.

Judo Camp a Success!

Thirty-Five 7-12 year olds gathered at Deerfield Run Community Center on July 31 to begin a two-week intensive study of judo. The children participated in up to three classes (four hours) a day. They learned basic etiquette, exercise, ukemi, three throwing techniques, three pinning techniques and basic contest rules. On the last day of camp thirty-one of the children participated in a camp tournament. Certificates of accomplishment were given to each camper. Trophies were given to each shiai participant.

Special thanks go to Lisa Gagnon and Andy Kinn for taking time off during the week and coming in to teach some of the classes. Tournament volunteers included James Takemori, Pam Hinckle, Steve Manzek, Greg Goebel, Andy Kinn, Mary McProuty, Rebecca McProuty, Rachel McProuty, Alicia Rausch, and James Cornwell-Sheil.

Eastern Open a Success!

While most Prince George’s Judo Club judoka took a summer break, three junior club members competed in the Eastern Open on August 19th. Ryan Lambert, and Rachel and Owen McProuty made and excellent showing. Owen, the youngest of the group, took first place in the 8 year old heavy weight division. He beat Michael Brown, yonkyu, twice. Owen lost his third match to Michael when he finally figured out how to counter Owen’s Seoi Nage.

Ryan Lambert took third place in the 12-13 yr old middle weight division. Ryan won his first match with a nice Tai Otoshi. He lost his second match to a smaller, heavier, much more experienced player who countered his Ippon Seoi Nage. It was a close match, and his opponent had to work to beat Ryan. Ryan lost his third match; also a close, hard fought match. These young men will be looking over their shoulders for Ryan at the next tournament.

Rachel McProuty took first place in both the girl’s and women’s heavy weight divisions. In the girls’ division Rachel threw Jenny Dillow for ippon with Harai Goshi, and pinned Maria. In the women’s division she threw Elizabeth Mason for ippon with Harai Goshi and won the other two of her matches with mat work. Stephanie Moyerman, a Sr. Ikkyu, the first opponent Rachel beat in the women’s division, requested a rematch. Her request was granted, by the tournament director, as an exhibition match. Stephanie threw Rachel for ippon with Tai Otoshi; that was Rachel’s first and only loss of the day.

Zenas Chang Receives Academic Recognition Award!

Zenas Chang is 11 years old and beginning his sophomore year in high school at Eleanor Roosevelt in the Science and Technology magnet program. Last year he maintained at 4.0 GPA. This would be accomplishment enough; but, Zenas is also a judoka studying with Edwin Takemori. Having begun his studies with Mr. Takemori at the age of 5 years he has persisted in his judo, attaining the junior rank of sankyu. This fall Zenas will be eligible to test for the rank of nikyu.

This combination of judo study and academic excellence allowed Sensei Takemori to nominate Zenas for the United States Judo Federation’s Project A 2000, a recognition of his strong abilities in both fields of endeavor. As Zenas continues to excel in both his studies and his judo he will become eligible for scholarship monies in the future. Congratulations, Zenas!

Preparations for Promotions!

Beginning the week of September 4th Prince George’s Judo Club will begin preparation for fall promotions and the fall tournament schedule. Promotions will be held at Beltsville Academic Center on Nov. 4th for Juniors and at the Naval Academy on Nov. 5th for Seniors.

If you are planning to go up for promotion don’t plan on missing any classes! There is quite a bit to cover in each session, especially for the higher ranks. If you don’t know what you will be tested on, please ASK! You may also check out the Md. Judo web site at http://www.users.erols.com/edp9000/mji. This site has the recommended testing information. Shufu Yudanshakai does modify the requirements somewhat-that’s why you need to come to class.

Remember, contest participation is considered as part of your promotion requirements. If you wish to compete; but, just can’t find a ride, let Mr. Takemori know. Rides can be arranged.