Developing your Judo #4

#4: "You're only as good as the people you train with."  (part 1) 


This is especially true in judo. 

Working out with only lower-rank judoka and throwing them around may be good for the ego but will not do much good for improving your skills.  When I went to Japan to train in 1970, I was a big fish in a little pond.

But it didn't take long for me to realize that there was a huge ocean out there and I was just a little fish darting back and forth trying desperately not to get eaten.  And the only reason that I was able to accomplish that

was because I was training with people who were better than me.  Without that particular stimulus, I would never have improved to the level I eventually got to.   

Remember to train with people who are still able to throw you around. It will only be a matter of time before they can no longer beat you.

By: Rainer Fischer (Canadian Olympian)