Salient: An Organ of Student Opinion At Victoria University College, Wellington, N. Z. Vol. 24, No. 4. 1961

Do Ju do de Judo?

Do Ju do de Judo?

Do you know Vic has a Judo Club? You don't. Well, that's hardly surprising as you are probably a Vic student; and it is well known that Vic students know very little about anything in general. Student apathy is then obviously to blame for most of your own ignorance on this most important topic for students in particular. But perhaps you're not to blame for it all. Perhaps the extremely poor advertising to date is also partly the cause of this sad state of affairs. May i Comment at this Point on the Sudden Disappearance of the Space Allotted to the Judo Club on the Club Notice Board? What has happened to this convenient notice board is, I am afraid, still a mystery. But if you feel strongly about this blaant stealing of your right to know what's going on in the club, I suggest a strong complaint on the restriction of the liberty of students and freedom for advertising in this so-called free university society. Such action might, if steered through the right channels and supported by a few of the club's strongest supporters, give results. But, what is Judo?

During the last few days I have asked many people this question. The reactions were mostly blank stares and pitying comments on my intellect. So for the most part ignorance is apparently bliss among these poor savages around us. Some however, showed that their brains had been turned on this vital aspect of life and answered in typical student manner: "Oh, that's the magic wrestling, isn't it?" or "Isn't it Japanese Jujitsu?"

Still, it shows what intelligent people know and how careful and methodically critical they are in their search for knowledge. What do you know of the powerful development at your fingertips in the form of Judo?

Judo is Japanese in origin and means "the gentle art." It is a form of self-defence specially developed for those who do not wish to overexert themselves. It gives the weak and small a chance to hold their own against any number of assailants by merely destroying their balance. This system of self-defence has been developed into an exciting and stimulating sport. So the present meaning of Judo must include mainly this aspect.

It is Perhaps Interesting to Note that at Last Winter Tournament in Christ-Church Judo was just about the Largest Crowd-Gathering Event.

I think that many of those from Vic. at that tournament had never heard that we have a well organised and lively club right here.

So please do not let this happen again. Come and see for yourselves. Practices are at present not very active, but with the opening of the new gym we hope to become more organised. You'll he hearing more of this gentle quiet club before long. So watch out for it.