Soil from Stone

A few observations from the first judo tournament I have ever attended:

• The smaller boys–under 55 lbs–fought like spring-loaded, rubber-coated machines. Their moves weren’t complicated, but they were often perfectly executed. It’s bizarre watching little boys throw each other through the air.
• The smaller girls weren’t so technically competent, but seemed really to want to hurt each other. Almost inevitably one of the contestants would leave the mat in tears.
• The older boys were much more cautious. Their technique seemed to suffer from a fear of hurting or getting hurt. They ended their matches shaking hands and sometimes bumping or slapping shoulders.
• The older girls fought like wild animals. They seemed to be barely restraining themselves from biting each other’s throats out. When the match was over, they’d smile, shake hands, and hug. Disconcerting.
• I missed most of the adult match ups. The one that I saw was interrupted by a live, slow-motion replay of a pretzelated, scissor-legged, tap-out that I’m sure has a more official sounding name. Once the judges had seen it all in slow motion, they ordered both fighters to their feet to try it again. Unfortunately, the one who tapped out was seriously tapped out energy-wise. He attempted several throws, but his opponent twisted out of it cat-like every time.

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