is so frikkin frustrating.
ARGHGHGHGHAAAHG
Sorry just need to vent a bit. Wondering if we will ever get a gold. Bout as frustating as waiting for us to win the world cup again. Maybe both will happen right after I die of old age.
Trying to decide wether is better to keep watching or to save time by just suiciding myself right now. hmm 50/50
How was the Oates/Haashbataar fight? I only wathed the medal round and saw Oates defeated the Mongolian. Haashbaatar made a fan out of me in Beijing.
Correction, I don;t think it was Beijing.
oates played a perfect match against tsaganbataar.
couldnt have asked for more from the guy.
he had a good strategy, stuck to it and ground out the win.
Sam,
when I was in the UK, I trained in the Budokwai quite a few times and I was not impressed with the quality of UK Judo.
Its crazy as they had Neil Adams, Ray Stevens earlier.
Its a little sad if you ask me. Neil Adams is one of my favorite players of all time.
judom - Sam,
when I was in the UK, I trained in the Budokwai quite a few times and I was not impressed with the quality of UK Judo.
Its crazy as they had Neil Adams, Ray Stevens earlier.
Its a little sad if you ask me. Neil Adams is one of my favorite players of all time.
Where have you trained where you were impressed? 
lately, Holland.
The BJA is in a similar spot to where the USA was less than 10 years ago.
In 2003, Our World Team went 1-22 and everybody thought it was going to get worse. I figured it could only get better. If not, what does one more loss really matter?
In 2012, with Marti now having taken a bronze, the USA is looking at potentially two more medals in Travis Stevens and Kayla Harrison. This time, it won't be the son or daughter of a former champion winning. This is new blood.
I think a couple of things changed, and the changes did not start with USA Judo, they started with judo entrepreneurs and one fabled judo institution.
Jason Morris Judo Club and Pedro's Judo Center broke the mold of what a judo club in the USA should be. By 2005, SJSU was starting to get back on track. Meanwhile down in Miami, a bunch of Peruvians were working with some kids who showed great potential.
The program in Miami has since declined, but JMJC, Pedro's and SJSU are still going strong. The OTC is still around, and I guess I don't quite get why it hasn't produced anything over the last 30 years other than Brian Olson's 1997 World Bronze......wow....that's 15 years ago.
USA Judo did send some funding to these places with the usual strings attached, but regardless it was helpful.
So, what in the world does this have to do with British Judo or the BJA?
Well, I read a lot about what people in the world of judo are doing, and I'm pretty much up on what the BJA does. It just seems to me, that people there care more about the process than the results.
Also, there is a complete lack of entreprenurial spirit in Great Britain as far as building programs outside of a traditional model.
It seems to me that the BJA wants to read the latest and greatest management books, apply them to British Judo, and when the ensuing mess is called into account, people start pointing fingers in every direction.
Jimmy, Jason, and SJSU create champions because they need to create them. Otherwise, Jason and Jimmy don't eat, and SJSU becomes a distant memory.
Maybe next quadrennial the Brits will get it right. I'd be more optimistic if a few guys like Ray Stevens or Neil Adams went and did their own thing, started creating some champions in spite of the BJA. Let the BJA ship the money after the results are in. That's what USA Judo did.
judom - lately, Holland.
Well us Brits ain't that good at the games we invented let alone ones we didn't.
Maybe you're just at a too high level for us in England ;-)
Spartan...I am not too high level...that is the point...England some legendary Judoka and somehow they cannot put a good program together. No idea why.
Same reason we struggle with a good football, cricket or rugby team I suppose.
:-@
Nice wins for Sally and Winston this morning!
Fraid Winston and Sally both out in their second fights. Did like Winston's Harai goshi in his first fight.
Jemma gibbons just won by ippon!
Nice throw. Go Gemma!
Was a good start. She looked strong.
Man I miss training Judo. Fuck the knees and shoulders might get back on the mat next week!
Gibbons could win this!