Martial Arts photographic & video thread.

Simple, but the files are bloody huge

Training at Portmarnock Judo Club

Sorry about the poor quality of the photo, they're screen prints from Youtube.

But here's the throw which won me my Judo black belt this weekend

cletus wrote: »

Congrats makikomi. Having been around here since '04, I know how long you've been waiting for that throw

Cheers

Yes its been a long, tough road with lots of up's and downs along the way.

But I never gave up, through injury, defeats, times when I hadn't the money to enter competitions or to take time off work to attend ~ I never gave up, I never quit.

Judo has a particularly tough road to your black belt, you can not just grade in your club or attend seminars. Apart from technical tests you've also got Kata to learn (and be tested on), and they're all on top of having to fight to attain points off your DAN grade.

When I realized I'd won by ippon and had just won my black belt, well I'm not kidding when I say I'd to fight back the tears.

And the first time stepping onto the mat as a black belt, this sounds strange ~ but it was like I was the noobie and everyone is looking at you.

This week has been magic, and I'd urge anyone with a love of their choosen style to stick with it, fight through the tough times, the injuries, self doubt after defeats etc because getting the black belt has been the greatest thing I've done as a Judoka.

Peetrik wrote: »

Ah wow just seeing this now. Well done Makikomi! Long aul road but you made it! Well done!

Thanks man

Tbh one week on and I'm still on a high. I keep looking at my license/grading card and seeing -FIRST DAN- wrote into the date and I get a rush of excitement every time.

It was a long, hard road but worth every minute of it. I'm delighted

Some of the most beautiful Judo you'll see in your life.