Judo Match

When I was preparing for my Sandan test,
had to compete in a rank tournament to
gain more points for my advancement.

This was my first match, and I needed to win.
My opponent was my rank, but younger,
fast and agile; he mounted the tatami with confidence

We took our starting marks and bowed.
The ref said “Hajime”, and we grappled for grips.
He took a right stance, I took a left.

He sought to end it quickly by jumping down
between my feet below my center-line, then
standing up with a big throw for ‘Ippon’ and the win.

He moved, and without thinking, my left hand dragged down
as my left foot swept his feet out from under him;
they rose above my head as he hit the mat with a loud slap

The match lasted less than thirty seconds.
But that’s how Judo’s supposed to be done,
without stress or strain, without thought, auto-response.

Unfortunately, most matches didn’t go that way.
Yes, I won plenty, but I also lost more than I’d like;
ended my tournament career in my mid-fifties.

–LE – 11/20/24