I started judo because there was a demo at my elementary school and I thought it was cool.
17 years later, I have gotten to travel all over the world and meet a ton of really cool people. I haven't done judo the past few years due to COVID and grad school; however, I finally have time to get back into it again and I am really excited!
Sounds pretty cool. Have you ever been to Kodokan?
Sadly I haven't. I might be travelling to Asia in the next year or two so it is definitely on my list of places to go. I would love to go to a university club and get destroyed.
If (when) you go to Kodokan, you gotta post about it here :) I would love to go to Japan and learn from them about judo.
Started last year. A friend got me into it. Loving it so far!
Started as a kid originally because my father made me do it (self defence, exercise etc). Stopped for around nine years as I got bored (like many kids do). Returned around the age of 25 and been at it ever since (around 17 years).
I had a taste in high school, but it took 15 years for me to have money to do it. Now I've been a judoka for 6 months.
Started around age forty about 7 years ago. Just got shodan in December, then broke my leg a few weeks later :( Still recovering, hoping to try to get back on the mat this fall.
Not a practitioner, just a fan and outside observer. I wish I had taken it up when I was younger but I never really had the opportunity. In any case, glad to see a community here!
Never too late to start!