The Jitsu Foundation - Competitions
Every year the Jitsu Foundation organises two types of competitions. The first quarter usually
sees the holding of the judo nationals, and the last quarter the
atemi nationals.
For juniors/children the competitions are run on a single day and normally take the form of a
training course in the morning and the competition in the afternoon. For seniors/adults, the
competitions are held over a weekend, with training courses in the mornings and competitions in
the afternoons. The junior and senior competitions are held on different weekends and the
winner presentations are made at the end of the last day.
The atemi nationals are the Foundation's 'Jitsu' competitions. The competitions are broken
down into grade categories. Usually the competition has two parts.
The 'V'
The first consists of a 'V' of attackers and is a common part of gradings and
training sessions. The judges look for the capability of control and style under pressure as the competitor is
put through his paces. Its basically a test of how well you can fight.
The Gauntlet
The other part is a gauntlet. Here a jitsuka walks along a corridor of
potential attackers and is attacked randomly from each side. Here the attacks are a little more suprising than a 'V',
but also the jitsuka is given a bit more time. The gauntlet is a chance for the jitsuka to display their whole array
of techniques and generally show off their skill.
As well as the grade categories, there is also usually an open competition for all grades (including Dans). This
of course tends to draw the biggest crowd and also show off some of the best Jitsu!
The Judo nationals are competitions for jitsuka to test their wrestling skills. Again categorisation is usually by
grade, but for Judo, its also categorised further by gender and weight. Following standard Judo rules, the
competitions break down as follows:
Sumo
For novices only, this competition has a circle marked out on the mat. The aim is simply to put part of your
opponent's body outside the circle. This competition is used inplace of a throwing competition for novices since
because it is actually done from a kneeling position, falling is not a key to safety.
Osaekomi Waza
Some call it "back to back", others simply "Judo groundwork". Osaekomi waza is similar to the sumo event, but is
for all grades (including novices). The aim is to pin your opponent's shoulders down on the mat for thirty seconds,
or to have them submit to an arm lock or strangle (NB: there's usually a grade limit on strangling - senior
grade adults only). Wrist, head and leg locks are not permitted in this competition.
Nage Waza
For the non-novice jitsuka, the alternate to sumo is the nage waza competitions. In this event, jitsuka must attempt
to throw their opponent to the floor with as clean a throw as possible. Meanwhile their opponent is of course
attempting to do the same. A perfect throw will normally plant the opponent squarely on their back.
Randori
Again the Judo compettions include an open event. In this event the competitors begin with nage waza, and should
someone manage to throw their opponent imperfectly, the competition moves straight into osaekomi waza. This is
as per a normal randori Judo competition.
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