8-31-2010

Hey I have been traveling a lot. I first went to Duluth, Ga on July 22. I fought on the 23rd. I was at the United States Junior Olympics. I had 13 competitors in my division. It was also a double elimination tournament. This means that if you lose the first time you will be put in the loser bracket, this gives you a chance to win against the other competitors who have fought and lost to their opponents. Then you have a chance to fight for 1st place if you beat all the competitors in the loser bracket. My first match was good and short. It was a new competitor for me. I believe the fight last about 1.5 minutes. I was constantly attacking. On one of my attacks I got him in a hold down. I won.

My second fight I won by Ippon. My third fight the same, Ippon. Ippon is an automatic win or a combination of points. I won both fights by throwing my opponents on their back so it was an automatic win for both. Unfortunately on my 4th fight I lost. I went almost the whole 3 minutes but he got me in a hold down and won. So this put me in the loser bracket. I will fight a 5th fight. If I win this then I go back to fight the competitor from the 4th match because he has won all his fights. So I fought my 5th fight. I believe I fought well, I was constantly attacking but made a mistake and let the other competitor get an point more than me. We went the whole 3 minutes. I lost by a point. This placed me 3rd for this tournament. I was disappointed because even though he is a good player I know what I am capable of and I know I should have taken that win. Yet I am learning and growing with every lost and win. So you know what my mom and I generally have to do. I am going to give you an account of the 3 days we were traveling as well. We drove with my Sensei and my dad to Ga. It took us 15 hours.

We were not able to leave here till 130 in the afternoon because of some problems. We arrived in Duluth around 5am. My mom told the hotel we would be there around that time. They at first were not going to guarantee our rooms. Yet she let them know that they do have her credit card holding our rooms. So we were able to sleep for about 7 hours before I had to check in with the tournament heads and then weigh in. We then got to eat and relax with the other judo people at the hotel. I wanted to swim but the pool was not open. I normally am not allowed to swim the day before fights but you know sometimes you got to do what you got to do. We went to bed around 11 then got up the next day at 6. We got ready then we all went to eat breakfast. I normally do not have anything heavy.

We then have to be at the tournament at least by 9. I got lucky in a way at this tournament, my fights started somewhat early, 1 in the afternoon. We have to wait around because they have the authority to change the fight number. It still took till 430 or so to get finish. Then we drove back to home. We did not get in till Sunday morning around 7 or 8. It was a fast and hard trip. Yet this is how it is even if we fly because the flights are generally early, early in the morning.

So my next tournament was the weekend of July 31st. It is the US Open, located in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. It is an international tournament. My mom and I left early so that we could get there and enjoy the day and evening before I had to check in at the tournament and weigh in. We arrived at the hotel around 1 in the afternoon. We rested, ate then headed to the pool. Florida is hot during the day but not at all like Texas. It starts to cool down around 6 in the evening, not here!!

I like these tournaments because I also get to see judo friends from other states. It is like a reunion. I get to have fun with everyone. The next day I got all my stuff that I needed to participate. I then got to just take it easy. Yet we had to stay up late to see who we fight and make sure there was no errors. I found out that I had 3 competitors other than me. Saturday we got to the tournament. I did not fight till 2. My first was against an American. I began attacking right away. This player to me seemed to be backing away at times. When I did try a throw on him we went to the ground. I then got him in a hold down and won. My second fight also was with an American, I think.

It went about the same as the first, I won with a hold down. My final fight was against a guy from Costa Rica. We went the whole 3 minutes. It actually went 4 minutes because they made a mistake on the clock and started the fight over at the wrong time. I was constantly attacking and I got points for a couple of my throws. I won by points. So I took Gold, 1st place at this one. My mom and I stayed thru Monday because there was a get together for all the athletes on Sunday. We also got to go to the beach. I enjoyed it. We finally got back home on Monday. It has been a fun better busy summer.

I am now ranked #2 in the nation. I took the month of August off so I could recuperate from everything. My workout started up again last night. I will go into full swing after labor day. I have a tournament in San Antonio, Tx in a couple of weeks. I have enjoyed my time off but am ready for the competitions to begin. I will let you know how I did when I get back. I want to thank everyone for their support!!

See you soon.

7-14-2010

Well I had told you guys about the trip I would be making to Irvine, Ca. I did go. I went for the USJA Junior Nationals. It was held July 3-4, 2010. I fought on July 4th. I had 9 competitors in my division but because there was a big weight difference they divided up the group. If a player wanted points then he had to fight in the heavier of the two groups. I fought in the heavier group. I ended up with 3 competitors. My first fight I fought well, constantly attacking. I was winning yet my opponent made an illegal grab so I went on to win automatically. My second opponent I have fought against in the past. I was again playing well and attacking. I went in to try and throw him but he counter me and got me down on the ground. He then was able to pin me and hold me down long enough to win. Finally I fought my last opponent. We went all 3 minutes with neither one of us scoring. I attacked but was not able to get the points. When both players are even at the end of the first 3 minutes then it goes into "Golden Score." You fight again for 3 minutes. During the 3 minutes the first opponent to score wins. I made the first point so I won. This put me in 2nd place. So I got silver. I had fun but wished I was back home to enjoy the 4th. I did though get to see fireworks. My sensei and I saw them from the air. We had just been talking about that when we looked out and down, there they were!!

I thought I would let everyone know about another thing I am now doing that uses my Judo skills in a way. I am now assisting a coach in Iowa Park, Texas once a month. I am the assistant to James Horn. He is teaching a women self defense class. I believe that this is a great experience. I get to use my skills other than for self worth. James shows the women a technique by doing it on me then we let the women practice on us. I know this is helping the women because James and I are also very different in body type. I am 6'2 or 6'3 weighing 210. James is 6' and about 145lbs. This gives the women a feel for different attackers. I enjoy being able to help. Plus my mom goes with me so she is learning as well. If you are a woman living near Iowa Park you should give the Rac in Iowa Park a call and try it sometime.

6-01-2010

Wow, it took a while to get to Colorado Springs, 10 hours. Yet it was fun because 2 judo friends got to travel with me. Plus my dad got to go this time. He normally does not go to any tournaments. He wants to but he has to work.

We got there on Friday around 3p.m. Ruben Martins family and team were there as well. So we all got to swim in the hotel pool for a bit before we went to the Olympic Training Center. We went there to train with a few Olympians and World players. I learned some new throws and some very hard workout exercises. One of them we had to do is a hand stand type of move on top of the other's back while he was on all fours. We had to stay in that position while the person crawled up the mat. I had a difficult time but with a little help did it.

We did a lot of strength exercises like this, using our upper body strength. I know my mom was shocked that I could do some of them because I am tall and solid. Yet I could not do a couple but I did attempt them all. This training showed me what the Olympians do on a regular basis besides their judo, very hard workout!!!

The next day we got up early, ate breakfast and prepared for the tournament. I always get a little nervous so I try not to eat too much or unhealthy. This way I can focus and feel good. By the way the Olympic Training Center is beautiful and amazing. I will post pictures soon as well. I did not have anybody in my weight or age division so I moved up to fight in the 14 to 15 year olds. I made a mistake in my first match so I lost but came back in my second match and got silver.

Finally my Sensei decided to put me in the senior division. I fought against a black belt. My first time in a tournament to fight a opponent that was this rank. At this division you fight 5 minute matches plus you can do chokes and arm bars. My first match lasted 1 and half minutes or so. I attacked a lot but my opponent got me by a foot sweep. I then fought a 2nd match. I went about 3 and half minutes. I got him with a throw, automatic win, Ippon!!!! I was very proud of myself because I saw the opportunity and used it!! My last match lasted almost the whole 5 minutes. I lost by an Ippon. I took 2nd, silver. I am very happy with this because of the level, skill and maturity of my opponent. I am learning with every lose as well as every win. We have to make mistakes to become better.

My next big tournament is a national one. It will be held in California!! I will fly there with my Sensei. I am looking forward to that one, I do like going to different places and meeting new people plus experiencing new things!

I hope everyone has a great day and thank you for your support!!

Devin

5-24-2010

I went to Tulsa, Oklahoma on May 15th. I am now 6'2 and weigh 207 so it is getting harder for me to fine a competitor my size or at least with in 15lbs of my weight. Well because I did not have anyone in my age division or even in the 14 to 17 year olds. I was given the opportunity to fight in the senior novice division. My coach knows what I can and can not do so he let me fight. I fought men ages I believe to be in their early 20's to 46 years old. My first fight lasted 45 seconds, I won with a hold down. My next 2 fights were about 6 seconds each. I won both of them with an automatic win, Ippon.

Finally my last fight went the whole 3 minutes. I won by points. My competitor did not score on me. I am very happy with this accomplishment. I have never fought in a tournament with men but have constantly practice with them over the past 3 years. It is different to practice because you go hard but at the same time you don't want to hurt your partner.

I am going this weekend to Colorado Springs for a tournament with my other Judo dojo, Ruben Martin Training Center. I am excited and looking forward to the competition!! I hope I can make more time for this site so I can update sooner and more often. I have a busy schedule during the school year but my summer is not any slower. Thank you all for your support!! Please keep me in your prayers and well wishes!!

Devin