by Federico Urraca – IJC Judo Athlete & Referee
My name is Federico, I’m 29 years old, and my journey with judo started when I was 16. At the time, I was dealing with bullying and the feeling of always being the smallest in my class. Judo became my escape, a place where I could build confidence, strength, and resilience. I trained until I earned my orange belt, but eventually stepped away to focus on college.
In 2016, at age 20, I moved to the United States. The culture shock was intense, and the learning curve was steep, but I adapted and kept moving forward. Over the years, as life became more stressful, I found myself searching for something that once grounded me. The answer was clear: Judo.
By chance or maybe fate, I discovered IJC. From the moment I walked in, I was welcomed into a community that felt like family. They supported me during some of my toughest times, pushed me to improve, and genuinely wanted to see me grow.
Some of the countless lessons Judo has taught me are:
- that results only come from consistent effort
- that someone will always be working harder
- that discipline and order matter, but so do creativity and innovation
Judo has also humbled me; I’ll never forget being 25 years old and getting completely outclassed by a 16 year old with a decade of experience. That day reminded me that there are always levels to the game.
Judo has changed my life. It’s given me strength, humility, and belonging. One day, I hope to introduce my future kids to this martial art, the best one in my opinion, so they can experience the same life changing lessons it has given me.
