Judo Club.

Judo is not, as many bar-room experts believe, an age old form of self defense. The Art is in fact, a sport designed by Dr. Jigaro Kano from the rudiments of the 18 Japanese Martial Arts or Fighting Techniques, which include such arts as Karate, Kendo (stick fighting), lai (stick v sword) Samurai Sword, Jui-Jitsu (self defense), Aikido (self defense), and Sumo wrestling.

The principles of these arts were used to perfect this sport where skill is used to beat brute strength. In fact the Japanese word Judo is translated as "the Gentle Way". Because of the sporting nature of Judo the aim of training is not to win higher belts but to win contests. A judo contest must be something of an experience a[gap — reason: illegible] its own - one reaches a height of nervousness before thought unattainable. The contest lasts 3 minutes or until the first point. Points can be achieved by a perfect throw. Immobilization on the ground of the opponent for 30 seconds, submission to an armlock or strangle.

Of Judo techniques the throws are the most publicised. These fall into four categories, foot, hip, shoulder and sacrifice techniques. The first three use that part of the body as a fulcrum to pivot the opponent to the mat. The sacrifice throw is named because the thrower sacrifices his upright position to shoot his opponent over the top. Sacrifice throws can generally be summed up as the sickening commercial stuff James Bond does. Grappling techniques require a great amount of skill in using body weights to advantage. Arm locks are self-explanatory. Strangles however bear a little thought. A judo strangle cuts off the carstid arteries, i.e. no blood for the brain hence there is the maxim - 3 secs out 10 secs dead and that is a conservative estimate.

Gradings are also red letter days in the life of the judoka. Usually blood red. A grading is an exam to see if one qualifies for a higher grade. The belt order is the learner (Kym) grades of beginner, white, yellow, orange, green, blue, and brown and the master (dan) grades of black. The black belt is worn for the grades 1st-6th dan, white and red for 7th and 8th and pink for 9th and 10th. The highest in the world at the present moment is a Japanese gentleman with a ninth dan and the highest grade ever reached by a non Japanese has been a 7th dan. The highest in N.Z. is a 3rd dan.

The Vic Judo club is at the moment at a strong level with a dozen or so graded mem bers including Neil Christie, blue belt; Ces Lashlie, Heather Seville, women's green belt; Bob Coad, Gerry Thompson, Kelvin Ratman, Dave Howden, Christine Hardie, orange belt; Murray Hill, Steve Wilcox, yellow belt. Along with the numerous white belts and beginners the club promises a good performance at tournament this year, by which time there should have been a grading.

The club is instructed by a black belt from the city and the club blue belt on Wednesday, the main club night, and training is conducted by orange belts on Monday night on the club's own mats in the basement of the Gym.