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  • Home
  • Our Club
    • Classes
    • Instructors
    • Rank
    • Calendar
  • About Judo
    • What is Judo?
    • Judo Links
  • Gallery
  • Sensei Blog
  • Covid-19 Survey

New Year and Some Great News for United Judo of Tampa

1/6/2020

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Happy New Year!   In 2020 we have some great news for our club.   We have renewed our agreement with the New Tampa YMCA and our instructors will complete YMCA CPR training in January.   We also now have a flyer created by the club and YMCA to tell members about our great classes.   This year we also are adding a Wednesday evening class from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM for adults and children five and up.   The YMCA will be replacing the mats this year in the gymnastics room and will be ordering tatami mats to be used by our judo club.   I will keep you posted with more updates as they come and am looking forward to a great year.   - Sensei John
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January 2019 Promotions

2/8/2019

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Congratulations to our January promotions:
  • Manuel Rosa - Green
  • Tien Duong - Orange
  • Huy Duong - Orange
  • Zac Clark - Orange
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Ten Questions with a Judoka - Dec. 2018

12/9/2018

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Each month we are going to feature a United Judo of Tampa judoka and ask them ten silly questions about their judo experience.   Our December spotlight goes to junior instructor, Johnny Desmet.    Here are his answers:




​1. When, where and why did you start practicing judo?

Nine years ago because we were looking for a new family activity after Karate (long story).   We started at the YMCA learning with Sensei Andy.
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2. What was your first impression of judo class?
It was very different from previous martial arts we tried because there were no punches or kicks.   I had to adjust to the new style but found it quite enjoyable and made friends quickly.

3. What other martial arts have you practiced?
Shotokan Karate.

4. What was your funniest moment in judo class?
When my brothers and I went overboard with the chocolate fountain and the holiday party one year.
   

5. What is your favorite technique and why?
Drop morote seoi nage because I was much shorter than my opponent for a long time.

6. How has judo helped you with other aspects of your life?
It has helped me mature by learning to give way and provide a great stress reliever through high school.

7. Other than judo, what do you like to do for fun?
Play video games (League of Legends and Skyrim) and spend time with my family and friends.

8. Would you rather get mat burn on your face, be choked out, or thrown by Sensei John with makikomi?
Choked out though I try to avoid it.   Being thrown by dad is like being run over by a train. 

9. Blue gi, white gi or no gi?
White gi - it's easier to get the blood out of.

10. How would you describe your judo persona (competitor, teacher, recreational player, fitness trainer, reluctant judoka, other)
Teacher and recreational player.   I enjoy helping others make their judo better while still getting a good workout myself.

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Get More Judo

9/11/2018

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This month's feature club is Mambi Judo located at 8731 Jackson Springs Rd. in Tampa.   Mambi Judo is led by Sensei Delcides Diaz and offers weekday classes for kids and adults plus personal training.   Sensei Del focuses on high-level training for competitors and recreational players, cardio and judo as a way of life and well-being.  You will often find United Judo of Tampa members and USF Judo Club members getting additional training with Sensei Del at Mambi Judo.
Have a judo club that you would like us to feature?   Drop us an email at unitedjudooftampa@gmail.com and tell us about your class.   Looking for more judo classes?    Check out our About Judo page for links to judo clubs in the Tampa area and beyond.
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Ten Questions with a Judoka - 8/2018

8/20/2018

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Each month we are going to feature a United Judo of Tampa judoka and ask them ten silly questions about their judo experience.   Our first spotlight goes to long-time member, Sebastian Castaldi.    Here are his answers:

1. When, where and why did you start practicing judo?
About six years ago at the YMCA with Sensei Andy.
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2. What was your first impression of judo class?
Definitely tougher than I thought... I was under the impression that Judo was all about throws, but quickly realized that judo also has a comprehensive ground game.  After John welcomed me with a baseball-bat choke, and choked me out unconscious ... I knew right there and then, I was there to stay .

3. What other martial arts have you practiced?
In chronological order: Kung-fu, Taekwondo, Kuk-sool-won, Karate, Kickboxing, MMA, Judo.

4. What was your funniest moment in judo class?
The only funny story I can think right now, it was funny/scary at the same time... I was doing Shiai with Dave, and I did a drop-ippon, somehow his face hit the back of my head and broke his nose... it was pretty scary at first, until Dave (tough as nails), grabbed his own nose and cracked it back into place and said... "It's all good now, I'm used to it."
   

5. What is your favorite technique and why?
Tani-Otoshi, I like it because it is nice, simple and effective.

6. How has judo helped you with other aspects of your life?
Judo and martial arts in general, it is a representation of life itself, it teaches you through respect, hard work and perseverance to be a better person.

7. Other than judo, what do you like to do for fun?
Get together with friends, dance.  I compliment my judo with strength training and Triathlons, it is a nice compliment as it helps with endurance.

8. Would you rather get mat burn on your face, be choked out, or thrown by Sensei John with makikomi?
Anything but John's makikomis.  I guess I would pick face-burns since I get them all the time anyway.

9. Blue gi, white gi or no gi?
White GI, more comfortable, smells better, and it is the traditional Judo Gi :)    I like the freedom of movement with no-gi, but I'm paranoid about staph infections, they are very common among no-gi practitioners.

10. How would you describe your judo persona (competitor, teacher, recreational player, fitness trainer, reluctant judoka, other)
When I was younger I was 100% competitor, as I grew older, I do it more for fitness (recreational player), to stay in shape, out of injuries, as well as having a good time with friends and family.

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Winter Promotions - 2018

2/5/2018

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Congratulations to our new promotions for 2018!   Great job everyone - we are very proud of you.
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Patrick Bunch - Ikkyu
Sebastian Castaldi - Ikkyu
Jason Wolfe - Sankyu
David Heizer - Sankyu
Zoe Heizer - Green
Jeffrey Wolfe - Green
Katie Wolfe - Orange
Andrew Wolfe -Orange

Mia Ramirez - Orange
Gabriel Ramirez - Orange
Sara Castaldi - Orange
Antonio Vickers - Yellow
Elijah Perez - Yellow
Malik Manseur - Yellow
Zac Clark - Yellow
Tien Duong - Yellow
Huy Duong - Yellow
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UJOT Annual Picnic and Year End Celebration

1/12/2018

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Please join us for our 2017 end of year celebration on Saturday, January 20th, 2018 from noon to 4pm.   The picnic will be held at Hampton Park, 16301 Tampa Palms Blvd W, Tampa, FL.   There will be no judo class at the YMCA this day. 

Food and drinks will be provided and there will be music, games and activities for everyone - families are encouraged to attend.   

Let's take some questions:

But Sensei John, I haven't been to judo class in months / years.
All the more reason to come back and visit old friends.   Everyone is welcome.

But Sensei John, will there be pulled pork and hotdogs?    Yes.   But I am a vegan.   Well, then we will also have veggies with dip, rice, chips and salsa, and pulled pork (in case you want to cheat).

Will there be a chocolate fountain?   No

Should I wear my judo uniform?  No
Should I wear my United Judo of Tampa tee-shirt or hoodie?  Yes

What can I bring?   Thanks to our successful fundraisers, uniform sales and donations, our club will supply food, beverages, games and activities.    Just bring your family and be ready for a great time.
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Open Mat Practice with Tampa Florida Judo

10/2/2017

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UJOT members had a nice open mat workout this Sunday with Dr. Rhadi Ferguson of Tampa Florida Judo.  Dr. Ferguson is a U.S. Olympian, national champion and BJJ blackbelt.  His class specializes in high-level competitive judo and jujitsu.  Thanks for the hospitality and great to meet other judo clubs in Tampa.

Check them out at:
Tampa Florida Judo
10134 Fisher Avenue
Tampa, FL 33619
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2017 T-Shirts are now on sale!

8/19/2017

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Get your 2017 UJOT t-shirt today and support a great cause, our judo club!   Shirts are 100% preshrunk cotton, tag-less, super soft, and awesome.   Shirts feature a custom logo by our own David Heizer and our catchy new slogan.  
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​Order today on our Booster Page.
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Summer 2017 - Promotions

7/31/2017

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Congratulations to our summer promotions:

Anthony Murashkin - Green
Gregory Murashkin - Green
Alivia Kearn - Green
Leo Lee - Yellow
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    Sensei Andy Georgiou
    Sensei John Desmet

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