The 4th annual Welcome Mat Games featuring judo, sambo and freestyle judo (both gi and no gi) was held May 30 in Kearney, Missouri (a suburb north of Kansas City).  Meet Director Kenney Brink used this event as a warm-up for both the AAU Judo Grand Nationals scheduled for July 17-18 and the upcoming AAU Freestyle Judo Nationals later in 2009.

A good group of 37 athletes competed in the freestyle judo category with most competing in both the gi and no gi classes.  It was a long day for many of the athletes as they also competed in the sambo and regular judo divisions as well.  This tournament served as the Missouri Valley AAU Judo Championships in both the regular judo category and for freestyle judo as well.  Approximately 80 judoka entered the regular judo competition.  We limited the freestyle event to athletes ages 18 and older, but plan on having freestyle judo for juniors in upcoming tournaments.

Freestyle judo’s balanced appraoch to grappling proved to be popular and provided some competitive matches with a high degree of skill.  Comments from athletes, coaches, officials and spectators were all positive.  There were plenty of clean throws resulting in Ippon scores along with some excellent newaza, especially in the area of armlocks.  Several grappling, jujitsu and MMA clubs that have never tried judo before were entered and they all came away with a real respect for judo.  One submission grappler told me; “I thought you judo guys only did throws. I didn’t realize how good you are on the ground!”

The referees had to keep sharp all day as the points came fast and furious, especially in the groundfighting situations. Good breakdowns, guard passes and sweeps that scored points set up effective chokes and armlocks, as well as hold-downs.  As long as progress was being made, newaza was allowed to continue and some outstanding groundfighting was the result.  But, the standing judo was equally as tough with numerous clean and skillful throwing techniques being used.

Chris Spencer of Sedalia, Missouri pulled off one of the most spectacular moves of the day when he scored an Ippon with his flying juji gatame; a gutsy move that was well-executed and got the result he wanted.  The Brink brothers, Scott and Dillon, fighting in their home gym, scored repeatedly with big-point throws.  Jeff Owens of Gardner, Kansas won both the gi and no gi 160 lbs. titles with some excellent breakdowns and a sneaky hadaka jime and juji gatame. Interestingly, the gold medal winners in each weight class won both the gi and no gi categories, but the 2nd and 3rd place winners were different.

This tournament was the first time the newly approved AAU freestyle judo rules were used.  Two previous tournaments have been held (October, 2008 and March, 2009) were we tried different versions of the rules.  From the comments heard after the event, the rules of freestyle judo finally settled on by the AAU Judo Committee were popular with everyone and produced fair, safe, exciting, skillful and tough competition.

I believe freestyle judo has arrived on the scene and will definitley make a positive impact on the sport of judo.

The Champions in each weight class are listed below:
145 lbs.
(Gi and No Gi) Chris Spencer, Sedalia, Missouri
160 lbs.
(Gi and No Gi) Jeff Owens, Gardner, Kansas
175 lbs.
(Gi and No Gi)  Steve Howe, Independence, Missouri
190 lbs.
(Gi and No Gi) Kelvin Knisely, Independence, Missouri
210 lbs.
(Gi and No Gi) Scott Brink, Kearney, Missouri
No entries at 235 lbs.
Heavyweight (over 235 lbs.)
(Gi and No Gi) Dillon Brink, Kearney, Missouri