I was thinking that you may want to know how I got to where I am with my Judo. As you know I am currently ranked #1 in the nation in my weight and age category. I got to this by using a strict workout routine. Well, as strict as I like!!
I started playing Judo when I was 6. My mom tells me that I needed to release my energy so I would be good at school. I played soccer at the time but not all year round. I have always been tall and my mom knew that it needed to be a sport that also would use my height, strength and weight. I did try Tang Soo Do with my sister but I had a hard time standing still to learn the forms. I just wanted to play!!! So a customer of hers told her about Judo. I got to basically wrestle with another boy. She knew I would love that and she was right. I took to Judo from the start. I did not start to compete though till I was about 8.
When I was 6 my schedule was Monday and Thursday nights from 7 to 8. When I started to compete then we added Saturdays from 11 to 12:30. Like I said before I have always been tall. I am 14 and I am already 6’4. I was 9 years old when I started working out in the adult class. They had adults that were about 5’4 and weigh about the same as me so I was able to do it. I was told that my abilities and my actions also got me into the adult class. I tried to work hard and not fool around. So from there on I was going to classes on Monday and Thursday nights from 7 (still attending the kid’s classes) till 10. I also train with a great Uke, Aaron, on Wednesday nights.Then as of last year I go to Burleson, Texas one night of the week training still in Judo. Plus I have my Saturday competition classes now from 11 to 2, attending the adult competition classes. Then finally I attend BJJ on Tuesday nights at Texoma Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
I wanted to let you guys know that I have added other exercise routines to my schedule. I do sprint training 5 days a week. I sprint 25 yards with 10 yards of walking in between sprints 4 days. I started with 15 sprints of 25 yards but am adding 2 more sprints a day. I do a different type of sprinting routine, 5 miles worth, on Wednesday. Finally I do agility latter, jump rope or rowing routines 3 days a week while still doing the 25 yard sprint routine. When I use the jump rope I like to go at a fast pace while going across about 25 yards of space. I do this for about 20 minutes. I also incorporated different forms of push-ups, sit-ups and plank exercises. I also added forearm and hand exercises to strengthen by grip. You have to have a strong grip in Judo. Plus I am still doing my weight lifting routines 3 times a week. My workout week is as follows: daily sprints, strength training, 4 days of Judo and then 1 day of BJJ training. I train 6 days a week. I only take Sundays off. My schedule is demanding but well worth the results!!