Hui-O-Judo welcomes
cross-team players Audrey Knuth,
Sammy Knuth, and Elizabeth Knuth from Prince Georges Judo, Robert
Dillow
and Dillon Hughes from Myoyu Dojo, and Richard Nashwinters from NIH
Judo
Club.
Hui-O-Judo hosted the Fall Beltsville Open
on November 20, 1999 at the Beltsville Academic Center. The
Hui-O-Judo
junior team consisted of Jameal Delpeche, Chris Murphy, Steven
Pielmeier,
David Pielmeier, Daniel Grunberg, Misha Grunberg, Krissy Reardon, Renee
Reardon, William Reardon, Jodi Antenor, Robert Dillow, Jennifer Dillow,
Tyler Smith, and Marko DeVittorio. The senior team consisted of
Gopaul
(O'fer)Shangari and Renato Ferreira. Sensei Ken Tamai served as
tournament
director. Sensei Mark, Sensei Diane, and Sensei
Karl(seniors
only) participated as referees. The junior team was coached by
Sensei
Karl. Sensei Kevin, Sensei Mary, and Mike Grunberg assisted at
the
head table managing the bracket sheets. Anne Marie Grunberg
managed
the concession stand and the referee refreshment area.
Hui-O-Judo sent six shia players(William Reardon,
Krissy Reardon, Renee Reardon, Tyler Smith, Robert Dillow, and
Mark
Smith) and two Nage-No-Kata players (Sensei Karl Tamai and Sensei Mark
Smith) to the 1999 Keystone Judo Classic on November 27,
1999.
The team returned with three first place medals, five second place
medals,
and a fourth place finish in the junior team standings behind Starrett
Judo Club (NY), Tiger Park's Martial Arts (PA), and Liberty Bell Judo
(PA).
The team was coach by rookie coach Blake Smith and Rick Dillow.
Sensei
Karl assisted in managing the matches in Mat 3 for the junior shia
competition.
Rookie coach Blake Smith grasped victory out of defeat over Sensei Karl
in chess.
Hui-O-Judo sent seven shia players (Daniel
Grunberg, Misha Grunberg, Tyler Smith, William Reardon, Renee Reardon,
Robert Dillow, Jennifer Dillow) to the Prince Georges Open in
Glen
Dale, Md on December 4, 1999. The team returned with six first
place
trophies, one second place trophy, one third place trophy, and the
Outstanding
Junior Award (Tyler). The team was coached by Blake Smith.
Sensei Karl and Sensei Mark were both certified as regional
referees.
Anne Marie Grunberg participated as a non-competitor, helping with
timing
and scoring on Mat 2. Mary Stakem assisted on the head table and
Rick Dillow helped coach Blake Smith as the team statician.
Hui-O-Judo would like to thank visiting Sensei
Barry Hoffman(Godan) from Baltimore Judo Club, for his expert
instruction
in Katame-No-Kata, shime waza, and kansetsu waza on Tuesday, December
7,
1999.
The Annual Hui-O-Judo Christmas Party was held
on December 21, 1999. Hui-O-Judo would like to congratulate
Renato
Ferreira, who received the Memorial James Gosnell/Spirit of Judo Award
for his dedication to the club and the sport of judo. Renato has
repeatedly given up his own practice time (and we know he needs all the
practice time he can get) to help other club members improve their
technique,
to prepare for shiai, to learn/practice kata, and to prepare for
promotional
testing. He always makes an appearance at the Friday night
set-ups
to prepare the shiaijo for club sponsored events. He is always
willing
to bear a mantle of leadership in the club, yet humble enough to never
seek the mantle out, and wise enough to never abuse the power that
comes
therewith. Renato's dedication and self-sacrifice make him an
ideal
recipient for the Memorial James Gosnell/Spirit of Judo
Award.
Hui-O-Judo would like to congratulate William Reardon, who received the
Most Improved Judoka Award. William has won many local and
regional
tournaments through 1999, the most notable tournament title being
captured
at the 1999 Am-Can Invitational. He has consistently improved his
technique and understanding of the principles of judo, which is evident
from his ever expanding repertoire of throws and his ability to defeat
opponents of higher rank.
Hui-O-Judo would like to congratulate Dorothy
Tamai on her promotion to Shodan, which was presented by Jimmy
Takemori,
the Chairman of the Shufu Yudanshakai Board of Examiners. Dorothy
Tamai actively practiced judo at Washington Judo Club in the late
1950's
and early 1960's under Sensei Jimmy Takemori. While practicing at
Washington Judo Club, she earned the rank of Nikyu before the arrival
of
her first child. Five subsequent children kept her from actively
returning to the dojo. Dorothy Tamai has been an integral part of
Hui-O-Judo since its inception in 1968. She has played the part
of
hostess at club activities, such as the annual picnic and
Christmas/Holiday
party. Dorothy Tamai sacrificed her own desire to be mat side
during
her children's matches, to man her post at the concession stand and
referee
hospitality area at the Hui-O-Judo sponsored events. Many are the
judoka
who have pass through the club and the yudanshakai under her watch,
which
is now entering its third decade. Hui-O-Judo would like to thank
her for years of service to the club and the Yudanshakai, and
congratulate
her on the promotion to Shodan.
Hui-O-Judo would like to congratulate
Sensei Diane on the birth of her son, Nicholas David Jackson.
Nicholas was born on December 31, 1999 at 12:07 pm at the Maternity
Center
in Bethesda. He weighed in at 10 pounds and 9 ounces at birth and
is 22 inches long, and is currently working to perfect his kiai.