Young athletes from the Budo Club Karlsruhe spent twelve days on a training trip in Japan. Besides sushi, what else was on the agenda?
Photo: János Bölcskei
A twelve-day trip to Japan left unforgettable impressions for eight young judo fighters from the Baden Judo Association (BJV), most of whom consisted of athletes who fight for the Budo Club Karlsruhe (BCK).
Together with Norbert Specker, the vice president responsible for youth in the German Judo Federation (DJB), and national coach János Bölcskei, Salome Steinebrunner, Eljesa Bajra, Hanna Bölcskei, Sophia Bächle, Valentin Eichhorn, Alexey Ukrainsky, Martino Coric and Darwin Schneider experienced the Japanese national sport as part of a training camp.
Judoka also visit Japan’s capital Tokyo
In rural Joetsu and the capital Tokyo, competition, training and culture were on the program for the 15 and 16 year old young judoka, who were enthusiastic about the trip to the land of the rising sun.
Salome Steinebrunner was particularly impressed by her stay in Joetsu, where “there was a full program for us,” as she says. This not only included joint training with the Japanese hosts and a small competition with techniques such as Uchi-Mata (thigh throw) or fighting on the ground.
The idea of such a further training measure has been around for a long time.
János Bölcskei
State coach
“We also went to the aquarium, where you can see the underwater world in the Sea of Japan, and we also cooked together,” says Steinebrunner. Of course Japanese and of course sushi.
Valentin Eichhorn shares his travel colleague’s enthusiasm. He was impressed by the castle ruins at the top of Mount Kasuga. Once the fortress of Uesugi Kenshin, a powerful 16th century feudal lord known for his superior martial arts.
Eichorn, like Eljesa Bajra and Darwin Schneider, who was even able to make a few friends, praises the great hospitality they were able to experience, even if communication often took place with hands and feet, “because most of them didn’t speak English and the translator didn’t was always there,” as Steinebrunner explains.
The trip came about on the initiative of the Baden Judo Association, as Janos Bölcskei, a qualified sports teacher and youth coach in the Baden regional association, explains.
“We have been considering such a further training measure for a long time. Markus Eisenmann, President of the Baden Judo Association BJV, asked the DJB what such a measure would look like. Such a project started there and we then staffed it with athletes and a supervisor,” says Bölcskei.
“It was also a good idea because we are very strong in the years that were there now. “It was a great fit, especially since Norbert Specker was looking for athletes in this area,” said Bölcskei.
He drew a positive conclusion from the trip to Japan, “which really impressed us all.” A possible reunion in Germany is not ruled out.
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