He smiled and teasingly replied that he wasn’t aware that Wisconsin was such a Judo powerhouse. “Good tai sabaki” I thought to myself, as he deftly evaded my invitation. As I returned his smile, I let him know that we certainly do our best. The meeting ended and we went our separate ways. The conversation has continued to replay several times in my head.

Perhaps Wisconsin is not considered one of the strongest states for Judo by the usual measures. We do not have the biggest clubs or the most elite players on the national rosters. However, the spirit of Judo is alive and well here in our state.

So where would you expect to find this spirit? In places like Madison and Milwaukee certainly, but also in places with names you have never heard of, like Neenah, Racine, Steven’s Point, Slinger,

Sheboygan, Kenosha, Muskego, Grafton, and…Fond du Lac. In this quiet town of approximately 42,000 people, where, in an unassuming room on the second floor of the old Riverside Gym, we find the home of the Welcome Mat Dojo and Sensei Brett Wood-Taylor.

It is difficult to clearly explain Brett’s accomplishments in Judo. No one seems to know the full extent of what he has done except for him, and he is not talking. Here is a little history of what is known about the beginning of Brett's Judo career. Brett has always wanted to do Judo. One day, as a little boy living in Vancouver, BC, he passed a Dojo. He wanted to join but was told he had to wait until he turned five years old. The day after his fifth birthday, he was there working out and has never left the sport that he loves. As of January 28, 2007, he has been a practitioner of Judo for 51 years.

Brett’s family later moved to Los Angeles, CA and again he sought out Judo. At the age of 13, he traveled ten miles by bicycle to find a man named Hayward Nishioka, already a national champion, to ask if he could train under him. Hayward took Brett under his tutelage and helped develop him into a National and International player.

When Brett was 16, he had already developed his sense of duty and Judo mainstay of "paying back". Brett took over coaching duties for the Santa Monica Boys and Girls Club Judo Team. It was at this same time that he also started his refereeing career. Over the next couple of years, Brett also went to Japan to train on a several occasions. He competed at the World College Games as well as at a number of International tournaments, including the World Games. However, try as we may, it is very difficult to coax Brett into telling you how he did. He is always happy to talk about Judo, just not himself.

Brett moved to Wisconsin around 1980, and has given his time and energy to making Judo in Wisconsin and the Midwest the best it can be. He organized and trained most of the current National referees in the Wisconsin as well as surrounding states. He has conducted clinics in both competitive Judo and Kata. When the Kodokan Kata Tour was in the United States, along with major US cities such as New York, Chicago, San Francisco, etc., where else did they stop? Why the little town of Fond du Lac of course!

In the early 1980’s, Brett sustained a back injury at work that ended his competitive career. However, he immediately turned his drive and love of Judo into refereeing and coaching. As a referee, Brett has officially moved up to an IJF "C" level. His skill has allowed him to referee in the final medal matches of several international tournaments where there are supposed be only "A" level individuals presiding. He currently holds the rank of Rokudan in Judo and in Jujitsu as well as being

certified in at least four Kata. This past January he was re-elected as President of Wisconsin Judo, Inc.

Brett’s Welcome Mat Judo Dojo runs more tournaments then any other club in the Midwest. At times, these tournaments involve hundreds of competitors. The children eagerly anticipate his Christmas tournament, the Santa’s Shiai, every year. And yes, Santa shows up every year to hand out presents as well, in his red judogi (and black belt).

This is just a sampling of the things he has done in his Judo career. How then can we explain the thousands of small things; helping us learn new skills, overcome frustration, become better people, lending a hand wherever it is needed, giving of himself and his time whether you are a nationally ranked competitor or a child learning ukemi? All of this forged by Brett’s deep feeling that he can never do enough to repay Judo for all that it has given to him.

Two years ago, Brett was diagnosed with liver and colon cancer. The typical person would despair at the news. However, Brett is not the typical person. He continues to beat the odds against this, his most challenging opponent. Despite multiple surgeries and the fatiguing side effects of medication and chemotherapy, he continues to spend his time and efforts to serve others and help them progress and grow in Judo.

Photo: Giving back…referees Brett Wood-Taylor and Nicki Schultheis (Gurnee Judo)

So you see, the spirit of Judo is indeed alive and well here in Wisconsin and the Mid-West, and we continue to be blessed by such leaders who understand the meaning of “Mutual Benefit and Welfare”. Sensei Wood-Taylor’s enthusiasm and character are an inspiration to all those he comes in contact with. His accomplishments and dedication can easily speak for themselves; however there are many other voices of those whose lives he has touched, through his years of service, that we will never be aware of. Here are just a few whose thoughts and reflections on Brett I would like to share:

“It is rare to find amongst the ranks of judo a combination of dedication and intelligence, wrapped up in a sort of package of innocence with a never ending supply of good will towards ones fellow men whether they deserve it or not. That's Brett Wood-Taylor. If you've been around him you'll understand what I'm talking about. For the many set backs that he has faced he still has an abiding faith in the almighty and never asks in desperation "Why me?" What is considered courageous to some is merely an issue of duty to Brett. While some men boast and covet empty ranks and titles, I think I would trade them in for the good that this man has developed in his family, friends, students and community. In the sport of judo we hope to develop good character, and we do with many. With Brett I think it was there long before he came to judo. So I think just maybe, judo has some things to learn from Brett. I have.” - Hayward Nishioka

“Sensei Brett Wood - Taylor remains the foundation of Wisconsin Judo. No one can remove this man from the roots he has in Wisconsin Judo history.” - Tom Gustin, University of Wisconsin – Steven’s Point Judo Club

“Steadfast in his support and love of judo and passion for quality refereeing, he has doled out many gentle criticisms and accolades while sitting mat-side behind the scoring table. What I remember most is his warmth and the good feeling of inclusion and engagement and how he made us all better, watching and commenting on the competition. I see him leaning forward in his folding chair watching the action and then turning to me in his excitement, looking full in my face and ... I guess I'll never forget him.” - Richard Finley, Iowa State Judo

“At one of the first tournaments my daughter attended, even though there was no one in her division to play against, Sensei Wood-Taylor and his wife found her an opponent by going through several of their contacts at the tournament so she could participate. Brett was already very busy that day, but he went out of his way to help a new Judo player maintain her excitement about the sport.” - Lee Behrens,

University of Wisconsin – Stevenson Point Judo Club

“Without Brett Wood-Taylor, it is doubtful that the Gurnee Judo Club would have grown and become so successful. Brett has been a mentor to me. He has coached me on starting a judo program, helped to provide resources, and served as a general subject-matter-expert for me on judo in America. In particular, Brett has stood by me, side-by-side, in running five Gurnee Veteran Day's Tournaments. He has helped organize those events and provided most of the operational equipment. Last summer, I became the President of Illinois Judo. Again, I turned to Brett for advice on best business practices, knowing that he is an expert. For instance, he has been instrumental in planning our first Illinois State Championships, February 18th, 2007...the first Illinois state championships in seven years.

But even more personal, despite fighting cancer, Brett has opted to spend his time supporting judo events that benefit others. Here is an example of just one day from last summer: He drove two girls down to our summer training camp (4 hour round trip); He negotiated a scholarship/no-fee arrangement for one of the girls, who is facing family issues; He went to the airport (2 hour round trip) to pick-up another participant in the camp, who he did not even know; and that night, after a full day, exhausted from the combination of travel and medication, he drove the girls back to their homes in Wisconsin. This is how he wants to spend the time that he has.” - Tim Schultheis, Gurnee Judo Club

“Through it all, his faith in Judo and his faith in friends has never wavered. Through it all, his attitude, more than anything, has kept us all thinking that he can fight off any kind of disease, that his love of his family and his friends will somehow protect us from the awful reality that he is sick.

His love of USA Judo brought him to the Senior Nationals in Houston so that he could take part and voice his opinion for the future of USA Judo even though this was against the advice of his doctors, his family and his friends. He has driven 10 hours to help at a local tournament in Southern Illinois or Michigan or Indiana, refereed all day and in the middle of it all, went to the car to sleep for a few hours because his body was low on fuel. He has done so much for all of us. He has uplifted us. He has been there for us. His ATTITUDE about Judo, about life, about friends has driven him to us.

Brett Wood-Taylor is blessed. That is the way you would hear it from Brett if you were to ask him. His own family has lived with an extended family for so many years that it is hard to believe that they even know themselves let alone all of the folks that consider Brett family across the Judo world. Brett has been an inspiration to me and I am sure many in Wisconsin, in Illinois, in the Midwest and throughout the country for his wonderfully upbeat attitude in good times and bad; for his knowledge of basic as well as advanced Judo techniques and philosophy; for the way he treats all folks kindly, with grace and understanding; for his humor - especially the black humor about his own mortality; for his relationships with a wonderfully supportive Margaret and kids: Genne, Terra, Brendan, Chelsea and Brittany.

Judo for Brett Wood-Taylor has been the CORE that keeps him going. If it were not for Judo, Brett would just be another JOE, working, raising a family, struggling to make ends meet - just like the rest of us. But because of Judo, his life is rich beyond money, full beyond supportive friends; busy beyond the normal teaching, refereeing, coaching, and training he does for his club and for judo clubs in California and all over the Midwest. Judo runs in his blood, through every nerve fiber of his body, in his conscious and unconscious mind. Simply put, he is happiest when on the mat and doing Judo.

We should all be so blessed to be able to live the life that Brett has, doing what he really loves. Thank you, my friend, my colleague, and my brother. “ - Dr. Kei Narimatsu

“I have never met anyone from any field like Brett. He has such a pure spirit and dedication for the practice and promotion of his beloved sport of Judo. It has been Brett's drive and dedication to bring world-class people like Jimmy Pedro, Eiko Shepard and Sensei Abi with the Kodokan Kata clinicians to small club in Fond du Lac Wisconsin. There are very few people in this world that could have endured the physical set backs that Brett has over the past 15 years. It has been his strength, his indomitable spirit and love of Judo that has kept him going. It has been an honor and privilege to have studied under him for the past eleven years.” - Steven Mattheeusse, Welcome Mat Dojo

FEATURED PHOTO

Photo: Shea Favorite of Central Florida Judo & Ju-Jitsu was the sole American entry in the Northeast Tournament held in the Netherlands. One American was enough to get the U.S. recognized on the podium, as Shea pulled off a bronze medal in the 44kg. Division. Congratulations to Shea and to her coach, Bill Andreas. Photo courtesy of Lesley Truideman.

COMING UP

Coaches Clinic with Hayward Nishioka - You don't want to miss it! Hayward will be showing his proven teaching methods, developed over 30 years as an instructor at Los Angeles City College. Professor Nishioka has started literally thousands of people in judo, many of whom are now running their own clubs.

Where: Goltz Judo at Alexander Hughes Community Center, Claremont, CA.

When: February 17 and February 24.

Schedule: Sessions from 9 – 2:30 p.m. each day, including mat and classroom sessions.

Contact: kalacrosby@yahoo.com for more information.

Training Camp with a French Judo Club –

Where: Solomon Schecter Upper School, 555 West Hartsdale Avenue, Hartsdale, New York 10530

When: Saturday April 28, 2007

Schedule: 2:30PM TO 4:30PM

Director: Sauveur Soriano (914-723-8006), westchesterjudo@hotmail.com

Cost: $20, if received by April 15, 2007, $30.00 if received afterwards. Registration is not complete until payment is received.

Eligibility: Any Junior & Senior judoka with a current USJI, USJA, USJF. Judoka must present card at registration.

Jujitsu Convention and Training Camp - John Saylor’s camp is always a great experience and this year, we will add some more things to make it even better. Even if you're not a Shingitai person, this is a great training camp.

Where: Shingitai Jujitsu Convention/Camp, Perrysville, Ohio.

When: May 18-20

Costs: Camp cost is $150.00 and includes all meals as well as the awards banquet.

Contact: Call John Saylor at (419) 938-6087 for information.

Camp Bushido West – The Martial Arts Camp will be host to a number of well-respected instructors including, Charlie Robinson, Mark and Lisa Guerrero, Hans Ingebretsen, Dave Barlow, and other guest instructors.

Where: Bushido West Martial Arts Camp is located at Old Oak Ranch in Sonora California, approximately 70 miles southeast of Sacramento and approximately 30 miles west of Yosemite National Park, CA. The camp setting provides a great learning environment.

When: Sunday, July 22 through Friday, July 27, 2007

Program: The Martial Arts Camp will provide several quality programs for campers. There will be a Junior and Senior Judo Program, Jujitsu Program, as well as, other guest Instructors. The Camp will offer structured activities, and a skills review covering USJA promotions for Judo. During Bushido West Martial Arts Camp, room and board will be provided. Housing, including dormitories with indoor facilities will provide campers with a rustic mountain environment. RV parking with hook-ups and tent are available. http://www.twincitiesjudo.com/camp.htm

USJA COACH CERTIFICATION CLINIC

When: Saturday, May 19 2007

Where: Hebron Baptist Church Gym, Denham Springs LA. (Directions attached)

Hosted by: Wall to Wall Martial Arts

Clinician: Jim Pedro Sr. Chair, USJA Coaching Committee

Times: 9am – 12 noon – Morning session

12-1 pm – lunch (provided)

1pm-4pm Afternoon session

Cost: $25 if received by May 1^st. $35 after May 1^st.

There are additional fees for those who wish to test for certification.

Please join us for a great day of learning with one of the most successful coaches in the country. The clinic will include both classroom and mat sessions. There is no required text.

Anyone wishing to take the USJA Level E (formerly known as Level 1) will be able to do so at the end of the clinic. Testing is NOT required. Feel free to attend just for the knowledge if you’d like.

Please make checks payable & mail entry forms and to: James Wall, 7838 Kingsley Dr, Denham Springs, LA. 70706 Questions: wallmartialarts@cox.net , 225-276-8966 (day), 225-612-0934 (night)

YOUR USJA STAFF HARD AT WORK

by Gary Goltz

I had the opportunity to visit our staff at our headquarters in Colorado Springs recently (What I found besides a lot of snow was a dedicated group highly service oriented professionals. Led by Katrina Davis our USJA Executive General Manager the staff includes Dee Dee Weller who handles promotions and certifications, Michael Lucadamo who handles sanctions and supplies, and Ruby Pacheco who handles memberships . I was happy to be able to take the staff out for a celebration lunch in honor of their birthdays. Katrina's 1/14, Ruby's 1/27, and Dee Dee's 1/31!

The staff is currently implementing our new database from Silk Systems who have patented DojoLink an Internet management system endorsed by the National Association of Professional Martial Artists (NAPMA). Tsystem will allow instant updates, rosters, membership statistics, and eventually club leader access. The staff is scrubbing all of our existing membership lists to ensure only the latest information is loaded into the new system.

Overall, I believe one of the strategic advantages of the USJA is our full time well staffed headquarters. With the new database and our GTMA agreement to handle members supply need, we are well positioned to offer our members a great deal of value. They have many USJA patches, lapel pins, posters, and stickers available for very nominal fees in stock. To view them go to click here . .

THE LADIES GET BACK TO BASICS

by Amy Bokich

At this year's January 14th Women's Workout, held at Bushido Kai America, Inc in Bowling Green, Ohio the ladies returned to the basics. Hosted by Deb Fergus, the participants practiced Hiza Guruma, O-goshi, Sasae-tsurikomi ashi, and Ippon seoi nage. The morning began with introductions, light grappling, and ukemi. After a brief water break Deb instructed the group, reminding them of the 3 fundamental parts of a throw: kuzushi, tsukuri, and kake. The attending black belts helped with uchikomi and instruction. An hour was dedicated to randori, giving all the opportunity to practice the four throws. The workout was wrapped up with the first few techniques of Ju no Kata. The camaraderie and fun continued at a local restaurant for a late lunch.

TEAM JUDO: THROWING MS OUT!

by Michael Dobbs

Dr. Jigoro Kano believed that Judo must be more than improving yourself. Judo needs to be about improving the world we live in. Sensei Kano called this Mutual Welfare and Benefit. WHAT IS MS?

Right: Participants of the MS Walk

Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that strikes people in their prime. It causes the body’s immune system to attack its own nervous system. The disease has different effects on different people. People can lose motor skills (the ability to walk or use their arms), they can lose their sight, and they can even lose the ability to think clearly. We’ve made a lot of progress aMS, but there’s still no cure. The National MS Society is the largest private supporter of MS research.

Left: “Team Judo”

Additionally, it helps people here at home who have MS: helps them find doctors and understand how to cope with MS and the changes that it brings to every day life. HOW CAN WE HELP? You are already a friend of Judo! Join TEAM JUDO in the fight against MS. The walk is on April 22. It's only 4 miles. Please join us and find people to sponsor you. You can also ask friends and family to join our team and walk with us. Everyone is welcome! You can e-mail me back or join via the link provided below. If you can not join us, please consider sponsoring me in the walk. Whatever you can pledge will really help! Thank you so much! Click here to visit my personal page. Click here to view the team page for Team Judo

USJA JUNIOR NATIONALS

Date: July 6-8, 2007 (Junior Elite Camp following the Tournament)

Location: Indianapolis, IN

Tournament Director: Lowell Slaven

Host Hotel: Westin Hotel, 4-Star Hotel for $99/night!!

Nearby Attractions: Circle Center Mall ( http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=163 )

& Indianapolis Zoo ( http://www.indyzoo.com )

Contact Lowell Slaven with any questions!!

NANKA ATHLETES INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERNATIONAL TRAINING CAMP

by Dr. AnnMaria DeMars

Nanka athletes aged 10-16 with coaches recommendation are invited to attend an international weekend training camp in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. There is no camp fee for invited athletes. This is an unbelievable opportunity you won't want to miss. Athletes will need a passport to cross the border and we will need to provide their names in advance, to Guillermo Figueroa, the camp director. COACHES: Please be sure that athletes you recommend are able to practice for at least two, three-hour practices. The picture below should give you an indication of the practices. Athletes are being accepted based on coaches’ recommendations since these are the people who can best judge whether a given athlete is at the level to benefit from this training.

The National Training Center in Tijuana is awesome. Everything ibrand-new; in fact, they are still building some of it. The judo is in a new gym with three tatami mat areas. Next to the judo mats are wrestling mats for the wrestling program. This gym also has basketball court and volleyball court. There are also facilities for soccer, archery, racquetball and a bunch of other sports I forget. There were about 60 athletes on the mat, about 25 of them girls. The coaching staff is excellent. Practices are held at least twice daily, beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday. It is possible for athletes to attend for one day only.

The next three camp sessions are March 10-11, March 24-25 and April 7-8.

Athletes who have at least one parent who is a Mexican citizen MAY be able to stay in the dormitories for free with the Mexican junior team. For the rest, there is a nice hotel across the street that you can rent for $60 a night for a double room.

THIS IS A RESTRICTED ACCESS FACILITY. Only athletes and coaches accompanying athletes are allowed on the grounds. If you are a coach, you will need to submit your name along with the name of the athlete(s) you will be bringing to the facility. Parents will not be allowed on the grounds. The USJA Development Committee is working with Guillermo to coordinate this activity.

I will be attending the camp April 7-8, leaving from Los Angeles around 7:15 and expect to be at the Otay Mesa Border crossing around 9:45. I will be happy to provide a ride or accompany any athletes who need supervision. It is about 5 minutes by taxi from the border to the university.

We can have someone come out and meet your athletes at the front gate for those who want to drive to Tijuana. There is a lot of media attention on the training center. During the time I was at the practice, they taped two segments for TV and there was a magazine reporter and a newspaper reporter. I know they are planning on being there at the next camp as well. If you have a student whose parents really do not want his or her photograph taken, please let Guillermo or I know.

ATHLETES: Please wear Nanka warm-ups or USA warm-ups if you have them. You are the invited American participants at this event, attending based on your coaches’ recommendation. Since all of the players from Mexico have gear that says their state or country, it would be nice if we all looked like a team as well. It goes without saying but I am going to say it anyway. There are media people all over the place. The last thing on earth we want is for one of our athletes in USA sweats to be shown on Mexican TV slacking off or doing something stupid. So, make us proud – like you always do.

You do not have to be a member of the USJA to attend, although I should throw in a plug that Nanka members can join as a Booster for $15 a year (which does not include insurance which you do not need if you are already a Nanka member).