by Cyrus Mozzarri – 10 months ago I took a leap. I jumped into the world of Judo with no possible
way of knowing how far it would take me. What started as a trial class I took on a whim is now
often the very thing I look forward to the most in my week. Funny how a sport that routinely sends
me flying also keeps me grounded. Maybe it’s because Judo is more than a sport, it’s a community I’ve fallen in love with.
If you told me 10 months ago that Judo would take me to new countries, I wouldn’t have
believed you. But that’s exactly what happened this summer when I traveled with my team from
our little club in Queens, NY to Medellin, Colombia. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to
connect with an entirely different culture through Judo. The trip expanded my horizons and
moved my soul. The friends and memories I gained on that trip are absolutely priceless. Good
times, good people, good judo. What more can a guy ask for?
Judoka are constantly pushing themselves and those around them. We all strive to do our best
and improve through the daily struggle against ourselves, and it’s not always our best self who
comes out on top. Left alone I would probably fall victim to my own laziness.”I’m tired. This
hurts. What if I can just take it easy this round?” But at practice this little voice that’s so quick to
search for comfort is drowned out by the sound of my friends. My friends who show up to
practice for the relentless pursuit of a better tomorrow. Of a better self. How can I give half effort
when they’re giving it their all? I can’t. It’s impossible. Not only is the pursuit inspiring, it’s
contagious. This is where the concept of Jita Kyoei comes in, because I could have never
progressed this far alone. There is no judo alone. Uke needs Tori and Tori needs Uke. Little by
little we advance not only ourselves but each other, bridging the gap between who we are and
who we want to be. Together we surpass our limits.
The journey of Judo is a journey of self discovery. Judo can be scary, not everything goes
according to plan. Sometimes you’re throwing and sometimes you’re being thrown. Falling is
inevitable but with proper Ukemi you learn that it’s not so scary after all. In life you’re going to
end up on the ground wondering how did you get here? But you can’t stay there. We get back
up because falling isn’t a finale. It’s a chance to rise again. Day by day, throw by throw.