I hope everyone is staying healthy (and missing judo).
Not surprisingly, some upcoming tournaments have been cancelled.
The list is:
March 20-21, Obukan’s 64th Annual Tournament, postponed
April 18, Budokan Tournament, postponed
April 25, Battle by the Lake, cancelled
May 2, Seattle Dojo, cancelled
Here is an updated schedule of upcoming events.
tournament schedule
I know, I know. Nobody wants to do this.
SHORT VERSION: In consideration of the mutual welfare and benefit of general public health, Spokane Judo will be closed effectively immediately, and in line with the Washington state schools directive to remain closed for at least the next six weeks.
LONGER VERSION: This was not a hard decision, but I know a lot of people have the perception that “this is nothing”, or “just get sick and get it over with” and that thinking is wrong – please allow me to explain why:
It is true that the people doing Judo, and especially the kids doing Judo are not themselves particularly at risk from the virus. However, there are some facts that need to be considered. 1) COVID-19 is far more infectious than ‘the flu’ – this means simple contact with an infected person (who may or may not be showing symptoms) has a very high risk of transmitting the illness. 2) COVID-19 is far more deadly than the flu for at risk populations. These two factors combined mean that getting sick yourself makes you much more likely to transmit it to high risk individuals who are then at higher than acceptable risk of either dying or needing extensive hospital intervention. Fact 3) Hospitals have limited capacity for extensive intervention. Therefore, the faster the infection “spikes”, runs the risk of overwhelming hospitals.
Even if the same total number of people eventually get the illness, but it is spread out over many months instead of happening all at once, MANY lives can be saved by not overwhelming the hospitals.
It is for these reasons we are making the easy decision to temporarily close Spokane Judo. One of the tenets of Judo is “Mutual welfare and benefit” – we live that ideal by sacrificing our enjoyment of practice for several weeks to do our small part to help others not die. Please keep this view in mind during the pandemic “even though I am not personally at risk, I can help save others”.
All the other advice about washing your hands, not touching your face, self isolating where possible you have heard a million times everywhere else and it is good advice.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Sensei Brett or Sensei Allen. During the hiatus, we will be posting ‘judo homework’, and ‘judo at home workouts’ for our club to stay fit at home.
Thank you
We are canceling practice on Sat. 1/11/2020. The weather is just too bad. See everyone Monday night.
Here is the latest tournament schedule for the Pacific Northwest.
This Thursday is that time again, December Thursday Night Fights!
(Previously known as Monday Night Fights).
We would love to see everyone from Joseki, Pacific, and Lakeland.
Everyone should arrive at 6:00 so we can mix adult and kid matches.
I realize this is the middle of the holiday season, but what better way to say Happy Holidays than by throwing someone.
Practice will be canceled Thursday and Saturday this week. I am sure everyone will be busy eating!
We will see everyone on Monday and aim to take all that Thanksgiving indulgence off.
Over the next couple of weeks, we have some schedule changes:
Everything should be back to normal after that.
See everyone tomorrow.
Spokane Judo is hosting another kata clinic. This time it is Katame No Kata. The clinic will be conducted by Senseis Mike and Delynn Purcell, two of the
best kata instructors in the United States. Sensei Mike Purcell has been teaching
kata for forty years – he is a USA Judo Class A Kata Judge in all seven Kodokan Kata. Sensei Delynn Purcell is a World Master’s Grand Champion, Pan-American
Judo Union Silver Medalist, USA National Kata Champion, and Fukuda Grand Champion.She is Kodokan-certified in Ju No Kata, and a USA Judo Class A Kata Judge
in all seven Kodokan kata.
We would love to see everyone there on Nov. 2.
If you want to prepare, there is a link to a video here.
The information is 2019 Katame No Kata Clinic
and the waiver is here.
If you have any questions, please contact Brett Lewis.
This is the latest tournament schedule. The Continental Crown is on Nov. 10 ( a Sunday). I don’t have any additional info yet.
Tournament Schedule 2019.10.14>
Just a reminder, we will have practice this weekend.
Saturday from 9:00-11:00 and Monday from 6:00-8:00 for adults only.
We will have kids practice again on Thursday when we are back to our regular schedule.
Have a nice long weekend
