A better understanding of the art Judo

An interesting match between Korea and Japan at the doha asian olympic final. I was thinking that to have a clear understanding of the bigger picture at the faster instance, is to watch a judo match. The judo match will serves as a good introduction of what Judo is about. Of course to perform at the match, there have to be lots of practice of the techniques to be done over and over again to perfect it and to do it so smoothly.

Full shoulder throw

Nastula (POL) throws Kim Min-Soo (KOR). Just take a look at this one. Can you see who is throwing who in this picture? The guy on the ground is the one being thrown. Notice how the smaller build opponent gave it all out to throw the bigger sized opponent. This is like a full forward shoulder throw by the person. When the throw is done it happens real fast. The picture is really well taken catching the right moment at the right time.

Shoulder throw at the tournament

Emoto (JPN) throws Vandecaveye (BEL) see how beautiful the throw is done. Sometimes the beauty of judo can be captured at such nice moment. Noticed how the ball of feet acts as the pivot and stability for the throw. When you throw it is really about the technique making use of the opponent's body weight. That is why sometimes in judo, a smaller build person can always throw a much bigger sized person.

Judo technique - Ippon

Cho Min-Sun throwing for Ippon. This technique of Judo to me is like a daring technique of ramming the other opponent. Of course the word ramming is not correct to be accurate as it involves great accuracy and timing to get the opponent down using this technique. Noticed how Cho hooked on the leg of the other opponent and using her body weight to push the opponent down. There seems to be like no escape once this fast and strong technique is performed.

The best martial art for self defense

The best martial art forms for self defense in my two cents worth depends on the individual. There are many martial arts today with ju-jitsu used and taught by the police force in some countries, others used Taekwondo and some prefer to combine the best of these tecnhiques and come up with unarmed combat skills. The lengendary Bruce Lee who started off with chinese kung fu, in his learning process of achieving his best fighting skills, has come across different types of kung fu styles, Taekwondo, Karate and eventually invented Jeet Kune Do. He once mentioned that martial art is about having the ability to know best in utilizing one's body. I couldn't agree more to this.

I have seen what Taekwondo, judo, akido can do but in a real fight, it is not whether by knowing a particular art means one will be invincible. Unless you saying about an art like we seen in Chinese Pugilistic movies when one can have special powers, in today's time, it is possible then. It really greatly depends on how that individual managed to best utilize his knowledge, intelligence, physical attributes or even resources he has.I have heard stories of how some martial art practioners who managed to defend themselves from thugs and I have also heard of a story from a friend who witness a fight on the street whereby a guy who claimed to know a particular martial used his skill to beat up some guy.

Later on that guy's friend who has not learn any martial art but gain his own fighting skills through street fighting took revenge for him and won the guy who knows martial art. Thus, why are some martial art practioners better able to defend themselves than others?One important reason would be be how well the techiques and skills one acquired. I mean techiques and skills, regardless of any art, as long as they are practical. One phrase that Bruce Lee had mentioned before that is both meaningful and appropriate in this article is "the highest art is no art, the highest form is no form."