Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 13, 1995 TAG: 9507130012
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CHRIS KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
At a camp held at Radford University last week, Phil Porter, president of the United States Judo Association, visited for two days to watch and instruct those who aspire to master this branch of the martial arts. Porter, who is a ninth degree black belt, is the highest ranking judo practitioner in the United States.
The Radford camp was one of 10 similar ones throughout the country. Porter said Radford, which was host for the camp for the third consecutive year, was chosen because of its facilities and location - Virginia, North and South Carolina, Kentucky and West Virginia have been fertile ground for judo's expansion.
Anderton, a black belt and active around the New River Valley, considers the discipline's expansion a quest. He serves as a coordinator for the Radford University Judo Club and also runs the off-campus Radford Judo Club.
Anderton, who became interested in judo as a child, doesn't focus on the competitive side of the sport as much as on the philosophy behind it.
``It is a very addictive sport,'' Anderton said. ``Not everybody is cut out for judo, but it makes you a better person. You are always learning, and you develop character.``
The issue of character development is a central one at both the national and community level. Often, the popular image of martial arts is a violent one. In reality, violence is far removed from the minds of many judo enthusiasts, including those in last week's Radford Judo College.
According to Porter, judo is about developing character and camaraderie in a society where such is becoming increasingly difficult.
Though judo is the only form of the martial arts that is currently recognized as an Olympic sport, the goal of the USJA is to develop people as much as athletes.
``We are like one big family,'' said Gardner, who attended the camp and is president of the RU Judo Club. ``On the mat you try as hard as you can [in full contact judo], but you come off of it best of friends.''
The 20-year-old Gardner, a Roanoke native and RU student, is typical of the younger generation involved in judo. She is active at the competitive end of the sport and would like to be able to compete for a national title.
``I have been involved with sports my entire life, and this gives me a way to continue,'' said Gardner, who has two levels of brown belt to achieve before she becomes a black belt. ``I would like to win a national title, but I compete on a recreational level.''
She competes twice a month, mainly in the Southeast. To keep costs down, Gardner generally stays within a six-hour radius of home so she can return after competition is over. She also stays with friends when possible.
The Radford Judo College seminar included participants from all over the East Coast. The program featured a test for judo rank and promotions of those who had reached another level.
The focus on character development is a far cry from Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis' infamous slogan of ``Just win, Baby,'' but that is the way the 70-year-old Porter wants it. The man who helped found the USJA in 1954 in Omaha, Neb., and has been involved with judo for 44 years has seen the association grow from a few dozen members to over 22,000.
Porter intends to stay on the job until he is physically unable to continue. His mission is an important one, in his view.
According to Porter, if the family continues to decay in this country, one of the remaining sources of moral guidance is judo.
by CNB