Judo Throws Are Simple For Christchurch Girl

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29221, 3 June 1960, Page 2

Judo Throws Are Simple For Christchurch Girl

Weighing less than 10 stone, 20-y ear-old Pauline Gamble, of Papanui, thinks nothing of tossing a 13-stone weight to the,ground with the minimum of effort. She is vice-president of the University of Canterbury Judo Club and in three years has climbed quickly through four difficult grades. She is one of few women in New Zealand eligible to wear the coveted green belt.

Slender and attractive, Miss Gamble is a part-time schoolteacher and university student. She joined the Judo Club in 1957 because it seemed to her to be a good way of keeping fit. “Judo is a scientific sport,” she said in an interview yesterday. “When a strong person pushes you simply give way and then tip them over. The name literally means ‘gentle way’. It also teaches you to think quickly and to use your hands, body and feet with proper co-ordination.” Old World Courtesy Besides science and a considerable amount of trained skill there is an old-world courtesy that goes with the sport of judo. Before two “fighters” or opponents meet, they bow to one another to show their respect and to indicate that they are not antagonistic towards each other. When the contest is over they bow again. Periods of practice for members of the club will last from one hour and a half to two houts but not everyone works all the time. Each person takes a few minutes off and spends it in the attitude of repose traditional to the judo art. For this, the member will be seated back on his heels in a half-kneeling position with his feet crossed at the toes. He is then supposed to spend a few seconds or minutes in meditation. At the meetings, members

iij- 4 A. learn and practise the many, holds and throws under the ’striet eye of the instructors. They work on mats of rice straw covered with plastic, which in Japanese are called “tatami.” Relaxing “Unlike most sports where you find yourself worn out at the end Of a game, judo leaves you quite relaxed,” ‘ said Miss Gamble. “It is also good for all other sports and some members use it as training for soccer and Rugby.” Since she has been at university, Miss Gamble has played indoor and outdoor basketball and tennis and found that her judo practices helped her with all of them. She is an instructor in the judo club now, and last week-end travelled to Waimate with other

instructors to teach in a group that has recently started there. She has never taken part in any inter-club contests, as women are barred from all championships. “When you are fighting in a contest, you are really fighting and they are afraid women may get hurt.” she said. Wt men’s Event However, when the judo competitions are held during the New Zealand Universities’ winter tournament in Christchurch this year, women from clubs in the four main centres will give an exhibition of their skill before the main events. They will be dressed in the same uniform as the men—the authentic judo outfit of white trousers and loose coat tied with the different coloured belts of their grading. The uniforms are of a fabric-like canvas drill and have all been imported from Japan. Men and women are equal in the sport as they all do the same exercises and throws and have the same examinations to pass when trying for a higher grade. The University of Canterbury Judo Club is affiliated to the New Zealand Judo Federation and the Christchurch Judo League co-ordinates all the clubs in the city. Judo And Ju Jitsu Many people confuse judo with jujitsu, but according to Miss Gamble the ideas behind the two are quite different. “Jujitsu originated as a means of self defence,” she said. “Judo is based on it, but is purely a sport. It has its uses though, it does give you more confidence. You know that if you had to use it as self defence you would know what to do. I think some people come to learn it before going overseas—at least I imagine that idea would be at the back of their minds.”