Maryland Woman has a Shot at Olympic Judo Team

Dana Sheets · Post by **Dana Sheets** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 12:04 pm

Rising Judo Star Allan Is a 'Girlie Girl,' But She'll Throw You for a Loop

By Eli Saslow
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, September 16, 2006; Page E01

Twenty judo players (judoka) circled to stretch and warm up, but Kristen Allan sat in the corner of the gym and sifted through her purse. She pulled out a small mirror and lifted it six inches from her face. "Ugh," Kristen said. "I so need makeup right now." She used a black brush to highlight her cheekbones. Then Kristen combed her long blonde hair away from her face and tightened her judo robe.

Momentarily content with her appearance -- there was, after all, a photographer at practice -- Kristen trotted onto the mat to greet her sparring partner, Leah Fisher. Kristen smiled and bowed. Then she picked up Fisher and twirled the 130-pound woman like a weightless baton, flipping her head over heels before slamming her into the ground. Kristen grunted with satisfaction, and her neck muscles bulged. Sweat trickled down her face...

Kristen worries about problems that most judoka hardly notice. She hates it when the combat sport leaves her knuckles gnarly and bruised. A doctor drains the blood clots that form in her ears to prevent cauliflower ear, an uncomfortable and unsightly deformation. She worries that her skull will change shape because it takes such consistent beatings.

full text here

f.Channell · Post by **f.Channell** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 11:50 pm

She has an uphill battle on her hands Dana. Ronda Rousey is in her weight class and she is real tough.

Nice read though.

F.

AAAhmed46 · Post by **AAAhmed46** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 7:26 pm

I heard somehwere woman are better at choke then men.

Is there any truth do this?

If so, why?

f.Channell · Post by **f.Channell** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 12:13 am

Women train totally the same as men at my judo club.

An advantage is possible in choking if they have a thinner forearm with a sharper edge that can cut in or snake into position better.

This is one area a big popeye forearm doesn't help necessarily.

F.

Dana Sheets · Post by **Dana Sheets** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 2:24 am

That's interesting -
When I did judo the main difference I noticed was that the men simply had more leverage as most were stronger than I and most were much taller.

Less surface area = greater PSI - so it makes sense...IF the woman can extert proportionally enough force - and since a proper choke uses much more than arm strength that shouldn't be a problem.

f.Channell · Post by **f.Channell** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 11:37 am

Right Dana,

This is why people use ropes or strings to strangle in special forces.

If I'm out sized and muscled on the ground I always look for a choke.
Of course if they are equal or superior in grappling skill it's a problem, they hold all the cards.

The wa-uke is one of the best entering devices for a choke when standing. Next time a student turns aside punching in a kumite drill, slide the blocking arm up the arm, step in, and there you go.

Of course Rousey I think is an arm submission specialist.

F.