Starting a new organization

[Abbax8]

OK, I'm nuts. But there's a need out there not being addressed, at least as far as I can see. The need is for an organization designed specifically for disabled judokas to be able to compete. There is an opportunity for blind athletes, but none for amputees who use prosthetics. I have a student who was born minus half a leg. He wears a prosthetic leg that is padded and is softer than a "normal" leg, yet under current rules can't fight while wearing it. I'm thinking of contacting JA,I and F and see if they are looking at this situation. If not, we'll go from there.

Peace

Dennis

[Mandeigh Wells]

social inclusion for disabled sportsmen/women has been pretty high on the agenda here for a couple of years now......and very worthwhile, but do you need to start a new organisation to do it? Would it not be easier for a current organisation to have a look at the rules etc and do some studies? It could end up a tremendous amount of work for you.... :eek:

what is the reason they give for not letting the guy wear his prosthetic? It may be just some education is needed, which I am sure you would be in prime position to offer.

Would you be looking at disabled only competeing against disabled? Or disabled and non-disabled competing against each other?

[Abbax8]

The reasons boil down to liability issues. They feel a prosthetic is a hazard even if padded. They are allowed sometimes.

If I had my druthers I would like a fully open competition environment. Heck if some amputee was using his arm or leg as an advatage, then I get to train against a weapon.

My preference would be to convince the existing organizations to do something along these lines.

Peace

Dennis

[Lee82mark4]

Hi, Dennis,

I don't know if this fits or not, but there is a general rule in competition that no player can use or wear anything that may give an advantage. It is an old rule, going back to the 1950s, but even certain kinds of support for the ankle are prohibited. An Ace bandaged is not allowed, but a slip on support is (this depends on the organization. I've been a member of the USJF since it was called the JBBF, but after it was the AJA). Anyone who plays using any kind of prosthetic where the possibility of using it as a weapon also may be banned, on more than one level. It could be used to an advantage when setting sankaku jime. It doesn't feel pain so he has an advantage. It may put a bigger person in a lighter weight division, depending on the weight of it. He weighs in without it, or it is made of material that is much lighter than a natural leg. You have seen the young wrestler with no arms and legs. Physically speaking, his torso is much bigger than most in his actual weight divisions. I think that pretty much evens things out, myself, but people are funny, and I have heard complaints from his opponents because of it.

I am with you, but we both have been around the block and pretty much know how these things work, but an organization, such as the one for the blind set up with the help of Encino Judo Club, Inc. at the Braille Institute in the LA area, may be hard for anyone to actually say "no." OTOH, money is tight, so outside help may have to be rather generous.


Mark

[Dennis Monk]

I am just curious, but what do some of the judokas that would be competing against such a person feel about it? Me personally, I feel that if I were in competition with a person in the same condition, but was able to and willing to train, I would respect him (or her) as a competitor and go with it.

[Abbax8]

Hi Mark, thanks for responding. It's nice to have you here regularly, despite the circumstances. Yes, there are potential problems. I guess what I'm thinking is, screw the way it currently is and let's try to do something to help judoka who are missing a limb. Maybe it won't be on the same level as the current tournament scene, but if I can get something started, who knows. In my vision, or is it hallucination, I guess I see an ideal of judo for all. I don't know if anyone is even interested. My student has competed without his leg and given his opponents all they can handle. I would like for him to have the opportunity to face other students outside the dojo, with his leg and see how he does.

Isn't it funny though, that the current rules talk about not giving the disabled an advantage due to the prosthetic. Of course back in the 60's I heard of Joe Walters at Ishikawas Club. His leg was famous.

Peace

Dennis

[Abbax8]

I am just curious, but what do some of the judokas that would be competing against such a person feel about it? Me personally, I feel that if I were in competition with a person in the same condition, but was able to and willing to train, I would respect him (or her) as a competitor and go with it.

And you better! Back to my student, I remember when he hopped out to compete at the Keystone Games a couple of years ago. The poor kid he was fighting looked over to his coach, you could tell what he was thinking, "What the H***" Anyway, any pity soon disappeared. The guy threw Bill with Sasae, only Bill landed on his stomach, pulled the kid down and snapped on Kesa Gatame. He broke the hold, but after that, it was a war. Bill was awarded Most Courageous Fighter and got a standing ovation.

Peace

Dennis

[Aaron T Fields]

Go get them,

I think that your efforts are outstanding. If it means anything, big upper body or not, I would fight him and i would speak on his behalf so he could compete.

But, if finding a venue for physically handicaped folks is what is needed than I applaud those efforts too.

I bet the real reason is ego. :wink2: when he threw his opponent, the guy would have to say "I got thrown by a one legged guy."

In all seriouness I use to play a bit with a guy in Seattle who was blind, he was getting on in years, and didn't like the ne-waza, but was a good guy with not bad technique.

Best Regards,
Aaron

[Mandeigh Wells]

the thing is nowadays the athlete with a disability are just that ...athletes, look at the wheel chair racers.....those guys (and girls) are animals on the track, probably 10 times fitter and stronger...and hungrier than I am. The special olympics is not a 'special school sports day'.....with an egg and spoon race, these folks are at the pinacle of their sports, it time for a huge overhaul of the rules....especially as they are soooooo out of date now.

[Mandeigh Wells]

are you any further on with this venture Dennis?

[Abbax8]

Not much. I have e-mailed the USJA and have not yet received a response. I intend to do the same with the USJI. Last week I was basically dead, bronchitis, fever, etc. I'm also in the middle of Easter preparations and tying up the year as far as Boy Scouting is concerned and planning summer activities for the pack and troop and the rechartering of both. Oh and my two youngest sons are receiving first communion soon and my oldest is being confirmed and two weeks ago there was the judo tourny. I did get to speak to the PA. State president for the USJI at the tournament. He is going to check on my student's prosthetic for me as well. I'll keep you posted.

Peace

Dennis