Judo in Oprah Magazine!

arnisador

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My mother pointed out to me that the October 2005 issue of Oprah magazine, now on the stands, has an article on a 92 year old judoka who is, at 9th dan, the highest-ranked woman in the sport. The article itself focuses on the author's experience at this instructor's school.
 

Kenpo Mama

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This sounds great Arnisador. Although i'm not a judo practitioner, i'd still like to give a read. I think it's incredible to still be teaching/training at that "advanced" age. Thanks.

Donna :)
 

Makalakumu

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I wonder if she still takes falls? I wonder if taking falls strengthened her skeleton?
 
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arnisador

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It said she has Parkinson's disease and uses a cane but that she did do some techniques on people, and still teaches class. Very inspiring!
 

JAMJTX

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at 9th dan, the highest-ranked woman in the sport

This would have to be Keiko Fukuda Sensei. Her grandfather taught Jujutsu to Jigaro Kano, the Judo founder. As far as I know she still lives in California and actively teaches. I don't think she takes break falls anymore.

http://judoinfo.com/fukuda.htm
 
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arnisador

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Yes, that's her! I didn't realize the part about her grandfather having taught the founder!
 

bignick

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Yes, my judo instructor, who is a camp director at Fukuda Sensei's annual Joshi Judo Camp, told me about the article. I asked if she could just copy it, because who knows what would happen to my reputation if I was caught reading "O". :ultracool:
 

K Williams

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After reading this thread, I picked up my girlfriends O magazine. She had this big grin on her face. I made it clear that that would be the first and last time that I read Oprah's magazine! :D
 

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