Two Ippons

I threw two people for ippon (win) today. Took a load of photos, both at the food fair and then at the dojo. No time to upload - too late at night now.

Both ippons were Osotogari. The first wasn't really fantastic - since the guy i was up against was yellow, fatigued and green around the ears. Grabbed hold of his lapel and entered.

Second one was good. He had speed and dominated at the beginning, controlling my movement. Hard hands pushing me away from any potential Osotogari entry. I remembered to relax, spun him with a few Sasais, and then entered Osotogari just as he was recovering from one such spin.

I lost to Alex - a dicky leg and i wasn't moving at my usual speed. Plus i couldn't get a grip earlier on. He entered a beautifully executed Uchimata - hitting me where it hurts the most in the process. Ouch.

It's weird - the first time i had an ippon it was after a day out with Garrick and Tang, collecting Salvation Army donations (was that a year ago?). The first time my Osotogari ruled in shiai i was also out with Garrick and Tang. St Thom food fair, bowling, and fragging at Garrick's house. Life sure does go around in circles.

I'm finally green (belter), something i've been working on since the year before. I'm happy.

And i'm also dissapointed i couldn't get a third ippon. I want a Judo shirt. And i want to show them all that Osotogari isn't a lousy, easily countered throw.

I have to sleep now. And when i put up photos, trust me - i'll start blogging about something else. Like Joshua, Andrew Ho and Kok Wee teaching me basic badminton. Very funny stuff.

Till then.