Judo in Oprah Magazine!

[arnisador]

My mother pointed out to me that the October 2005 issue of Oprah magazine, now on the stands, has an article on a 92 year old judoka who is, at 9th dan, the highest-ranked woman in the sport. The article itself focuses on the author's experience at this instructor's school.

 

[Kenpo Mama]

This sounds great Arnisador. Although i'm not a judo practitioner, i'd still like to give a read. I think it's incredible to still be teaching/training at that "advanced" age. Thanks.

Donna

 

[Makalakumu]

I wonder if she still takes falls? I wonder if taking falls strengthened her skeleton?

 

[arnisador]

It said she has Parkinson's disease and uses a cane but that she did do some techniques on people, and still teaches class. Very inspiring!

 

[JAMJTX]

at 9th dan, the highest-ranked woman in the sport

This would have to be Keiko Fukuda Sensei. Her grandfather taught Jujutsu to Jigaro Kano, the Judo founder. As far as I know she still lives in California and actively teaches. I don't think she takes break falls anymore.

http://judoinfo.com/fukuda.htm

 

[arnisador]

Yes, that's her! I didn't realize the part about her grandfather having taught the founder!

 

[bignick]

Yes, my judo instructor, who is a camp director at Fukuda Sensei's annual Joshi Judo Camp, told me about the article. I asked if she could just copy it, because who knows what would happen to my reputation if I was caught reading "O". :ultracool:

 

[arnisador]

Heh. I thought the same as I browsed through it at Borders!

 

[K Williams]

After reading this thread, I picked up my girlfriends O magazine. She had this big grin on her face. I made it clear that that would be the first and last time that I read Oprah's magazine!