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| Andre Ribeiro (2nd from left) had to cut short his trip around the world due to Covid-19 |
Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m an engineer from Sao Paulo, Brazil and I am currently on a sabbatical. I decided to take a year off to travel before relocating to Argentina where my wife is from.
Q: Have you been doing judo since young?
A: With judo it was love at first sight. It all started from an invitation by a friend, whose judogi I borrowed. I went from learning the basics all the way to actively taking part in competitions.
Q: Which club do you currently train at?
A: I train under Sensei Jairo de Andrade at Academia Shoorikan in Sao Paulo. It is a judo club in the heart of Vila Mariana whose members’ gentle and welcoming nature is matched only by their experience and fierceness in randori. Training is held three times a week, with extra bouts on Sunday morning and every other day if there are interested parties – and there usually are! Typical attendance is about 10 or so judokas per session, sometimes more when we have visitors from other dojos. There are judokas of every level at our club but at least half of them are black or brown belts. I would normally train there at least three times a week.
Q: Brazil is known as a strong judo country but just how popular is judo there?
A: Judo is a very popular sport in Brazil and it is known to every Brazilian. Judo is sort of like what badminton is to Malaysians. Though it is not as widely practiced as football, most people will have at least one friend who does judo and many parents will consider judo as a sport for their kids to take up. In almost every mid-sized city in Brazil you would have a few judo clubs to choose from, thanks to the successful work of Japanese immigrants who came to this country in the last century.
Q: Recently you were on a tour of the world but had to cut it short because of Covid-19?
A: Yes, before moving to Argentina, we really wanted to visit friends abroad and get a personal feel on how life is in different parts of the globe. Traveling also allowed me to train judo in different countries such as Germany, England, Italy, Thailand, Laos and Malaysia, and each and every time I was enriched by meeting incredible judo players and instructors. Covid-19 is a highly contagious disease and fighting it demands resources no country’s health system is able to provide. Social distancing is the only way of limiting the damage of the virus. For that reason, my wife and I had no choice but to pause our world tour until the situation normalizes.
I’m an engineer from Sao Paulo, Brazil and I am currently on a sabbatical. I decided to take a year off to travel before relocating to Argentina where my wife is from.
Q: Have you been doing judo since young?
A: With judo it was love at first sight. It all started from an invitation by a friend, whose judogi I borrowed. I went from learning the basics all the way to actively taking part in competitions.
Q: Which club do you currently train at?
A: I train under Sensei Jairo de Andrade at Academia Shoorikan in Sao Paulo. It is a judo club in the heart of Vila Mariana whose members’ gentle and welcoming nature is matched only by their experience and fierceness in randori. Training is held three times a week, with extra bouts on Sunday morning and every other day if there are interested parties – and there usually are! Typical attendance is about 10 or so judokas per session, sometimes more when we have visitors from other dojos. There are judokas of every level at our club but at least half of them are black or brown belts. I would normally train there at least three times a week.
Q: Brazil is known as a strong judo country but just how popular is judo there?
A: Judo is a very popular sport in Brazil and it is known to every Brazilian. Judo is sort of like what badminton is to Malaysians. Though it is not as widely practiced as football, most people will have at least one friend who does judo and many parents will consider judo as a sport for their kids to take up. In almost every mid-sized city in Brazil you would have a few judo clubs to choose from, thanks to the successful work of Japanese immigrants who came to this country in the last century.
Q: Recently you were on a tour of the world but had to cut it short because of Covid-19?
A: Yes, before moving to Argentina, we really wanted to visit friends abroad and get a personal feel on how life is in different parts of the globe. Traveling also allowed me to train judo in different countries such as Germany, England, Italy, Thailand, Laos and Malaysia, and each and every time I was enriched by meeting incredible judo players and instructors. Covid-19 is a highly contagious disease and fighting it demands resources no country’s health system is able to provide. Social distancing is the only way of limiting the damage of the virus. For that reason, my wife and I had no choice but to pause our world tour until the situation normalizes.
Q: Do you always bring your judogi with you everywhere
you travel?
A: Of course! Every long-term traveller carries with them some sort of awkward carriable object, normally something related to their hobby or passion. For some it’s a musical instrument, a yoga mat, a coffee machine… for me it’s my judogi. I’d deeply regret it if I had the chance to do judo somewhere and was not able to do so just because I did not have a judogi with me. So, yes, I bring it with me everywhere I go. Mine is a Brazilian brand called “Dragão”. It is a very nice, high-quality judogi.
Q: What are the differences you've seen in judo around the world?
A: Every athletic environment is influenced by the culture encompassing it, and judo is no different. Judo in Brazil, for example, is highly influenced by waves of Japanese immigrants, and so it is very technical like in Japan. We are taught to adopt a traditional sleeve and lapel grip, to do aesthetically pleasant throws and to aim for ippon all the time, just like the Japanese. Judo in Europe, on the other hand, is very scientific. Their levels of physical fitness are much higher, and the Europeans rapidly incorporate concepts and strategies that are very logical. You get to see techniques that are very different from traditional ones but which are very effective nonetheless. Several Asian countries I visited were led by Japanese instructors but it was amazing to see how they managed to combine both technique and strength in their judo. In Malaysia, I was positively surprised by the degree of instruction I had at your dojo, Sensei Oon. You’ve clearly done your research on judo and are able to give your students the instruction they need to excel in the sport.
Q: Are judo clubs in Brazil generally private clubs or are they government clubs?
A: Although there is government support for judo, most clubs, big and small, are private. Top level judokas mainly come from private clubs that are linked to bigger sports clubs. Examples include Clube Pinheiros in São Paulo and Sogipa in Porto Alegre. There are, however, some exceptions. Associação de Judô Vila Sônia in São Paulo, for instance, is a small club that has managed to produce some elite Brazilian judokas like Olympic Champion Aurelio Miguel and Olympic silver medalist Carlos Honorato.
Q: How is the Covid-19 situation affecting judo clubs in Brazil?
A: Small judo clubs are facing a very difficult time right now with all these closures. If this goes on for several months, it will threaten their very existence. They are now dependent on the support of their members because so far there’s been no government support. It’s our moment as judokas to rise up to the occasion and to help our clubs. For those of us who can afford it, we can do this by continuing to pay membership fees during the lock-down and accepting alternative forms of teaching from our senseis, for example, some teaching that is delivered online. Some theoretical aspects of judo, technical analysis and competition strategies, for example, can be taught without having to be on the mat.
Q: How are you coping with no judo training?
A: During the last weeks of our travel we were in places where there were no judo clubs, so I resorted to doing progressive bodyweight training instead. However, the thought of not being able to do judo due to the need for social distancing makes me quite sad. I will constantly strive to keep my judo alive by means of studying and watching judo videos, but of course that is no substitute for actual training on the mat. If the situation persists, I suppose at some point I will have to resort to doing technical drills on inanimate objects. Or on my wife, who is not a judoka… ha…ha!
A: Of course! Every long-term traveller carries with them some sort of awkward carriable object, normally something related to their hobby or passion. For some it’s a musical instrument, a yoga mat, a coffee machine… for me it’s my judogi. I’d deeply regret it if I had the chance to do judo somewhere and was not able to do so just because I did not have a judogi with me. So, yes, I bring it with me everywhere I go. Mine is a Brazilian brand called “Dragão”. It is a very nice, high-quality judogi.
Q: What are the differences you've seen in judo around the world?
A: Every athletic environment is influenced by the culture encompassing it, and judo is no different. Judo in Brazil, for example, is highly influenced by waves of Japanese immigrants, and so it is very technical like in Japan. We are taught to adopt a traditional sleeve and lapel grip, to do aesthetically pleasant throws and to aim for ippon all the time, just like the Japanese. Judo in Europe, on the other hand, is very scientific. Their levels of physical fitness are much higher, and the Europeans rapidly incorporate concepts and strategies that are very logical. You get to see techniques that are very different from traditional ones but which are very effective nonetheless. Several Asian countries I visited were led by Japanese instructors but it was amazing to see how they managed to combine both technique and strength in their judo. In Malaysia, I was positively surprised by the degree of instruction I had at your dojo, Sensei Oon. You’ve clearly done your research on judo and are able to give your students the instruction they need to excel in the sport.
Q: Are judo clubs in Brazil generally private clubs or are they government clubs?
A: Although there is government support for judo, most clubs, big and small, are private. Top level judokas mainly come from private clubs that are linked to bigger sports clubs. Examples include Clube Pinheiros in São Paulo and Sogipa in Porto Alegre. There are, however, some exceptions. Associação de Judô Vila Sônia in São Paulo, for instance, is a small club that has managed to produce some elite Brazilian judokas like Olympic Champion Aurelio Miguel and Olympic silver medalist Carlos Honorato.
Q: How is the Covid-19 situation affecting judo clubs in Brazil?
A: Small judo clubs are facing a very difficult time right now with all these closures. If this goes on for several months, it will threaten their very existence. They are now dependent on the support of their members because so far there’s been no government support. It’s our moment as judokas to rise up to the occasion and to help our clubs. For those of us who can afford it, we can do this by continuing to pay membership fees during the lock-down and accepting alternative forms of teaching from our senseis, for example, some teaching that is delivered online. Some theoretical aspects of judo, technical analysis and competition strategies, for example, can be taught without having to be on the mat.
Q: How are you coping with no judo training?
A: During the last weeks of our travel we were in places where there were no judo clubs, so I resorted to doing progressive bodyweight training instead. However, the thought of not being able to do judo due to the need for social distancing makes me quite sad. I will constantly strive to keep my judo alive by means of studying and watching judo videos, but of course that is no substitute for actual training on the mat. If the situation persists, I suppose at some point I will have to resort to doing technical drills on inanimate objects. Or on my wife, who is not a judoka… ha…ha!
Q: Do you think the Olympic Games will carry on as
scheduled?
A: It’s unthinkable for the Olympics to happen as planned given what the world is going through right now. Even if it could be held, the Games are meant to be a happy and cheerful occasion, and it simply won’t be so if athletes aren’t properly prepared and there is a risk of another outbreak happening. Even if the worse is over by July, the world would still be mourning the impact of this pandemic. Who would be able to properly cheer for their country or favourite athletes in such a situation? Of course, as judo fans, we all want to watch judo at the Tokyo Olympics. So, I would hope that it will be postponed rather than cancelled.
A: It’s unthinkable for the Olympics to happen as planned given what the world is going through right now. Even if it could be held, the Games are meant to be a happy and cheerful occasion, and it simply won’t be so if athletes aren’t properly prepared and there is a risk of another outbreak happening. Even if the worse is over by July, the world would still be mourning the impact of this pandemic. Who would be able to properly cheer for their country or favourite athletes in such a situation? Of course, as judo fans, we all want to watch judo at the Tokyo Olympics. So, I would hope that it will be postponed rather than cancelled.
Q: Any words you would like to share with Malaysian
judokas?
A: To my Malaysian friends, I wish you patience and unity in these times of trouble. This too shall pass. And when it does, we will be able to go back to practicing our beloved sport more passionately than ever before. Remember also that size is not synonymous with quality: Take pride in the strength of your country’s judo. Train hard to become better and keep the flames lit.
A: To my Malaysian friends, I wish you patience and unity in these times of trouble. This too shall pass. And when it does, we will be able to go back to practicing our beloved sport more passionately than ever before. Remember also that size is not synonymous with quality: Take pride in the strength of your country’s judo. Train hard to become better and keep the flames lit.
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