They arrived in Korea last Wednesday and now, they are fully immersed in the USJF/Korean Judo Training Camp as their transformation begins. Joon Chi Sensei, 8th Dan, had invited Nicky Asad and Zane Chung-Mehdi for the upcoming USJF/Korean Judo Summer Camp, 30 July-12 August. This program seeks future champions due to its very intensive training regimen.
The two-week training consists of three sessions per day, each session lasting two hours (6:00-8:00 am, 3:00-5:00 pm, and 8:00-10:00 pm). Participants will also visit special training facilities at Yongin University, which features a Judo program with over 200 judoka, as well as the Korean Olympic Training Center.
For these young men, a long-awaited and exciting experience awaits them as they immerse themselves deeply in Korean life and culture. When they are not sleeping on the floor, eating traditional Korean food, and immersing themselves in Korean culture, customs, and lifestyle, they will practice more in one day than we practice in one week. They will practice and work out as much as we will in three months. One day in the training camp equals one week at our Dojo
Joon Chi Sensei has been sponsoring this highly successful program for twenty-four years, helping to bring American athletes to the forefront of International competition. Chi Sensei spotted Nicky and Zane at last year’s Winter Nationals while watching their matches. Chi Sensei has an extensive list of highly coveted accolades and achievements throughout his career in Judo.
This will be an epic and transformative moment in their lives. There is something to be said about being at the right place at the right time.
There are scenes from Yongin University and the Olympic training center.
They met Jeon Seungbeom, -60 kg Judoka, 2022 Tokyo Grand Slam Champion.
Zane shared that the conditioning is really intense, and the commitment of Korean high school judokas and their skill are impressive. We aren’t doing as much technique learning during the judo sessions since they are centered around randori and brief uchikomi to warm up, but the Korean students have been kind enough to teach us during warm-up and outside of the formal sessions. It’s been great to see the lifestyle of the top Korean judo high school team and to live and share meals with them. Overall, a very enriching experience so far! He has learned a lot so far and expresses his gratitude to Sawtelle judo and all of the Senseis for supporting him, along with the Korean team and Joon Chi Sensei.
Nicky said that the training is very hard. He nearly passes out every practice. We have been having a great time, though. The students here are on a different level. They are extremely strong, and all they do is live, breathe, and sleep judo. Not only are they good at judo, but they work out like nothing I’ve ever seen. Extremely strong and fast athletes. I’ve been learning so much. Mainly grip fighting. Their grip fighting and body positioning are definitely a standout and huge part of their Judo.
This will be an epic and transformative moment in their lives. There is something to be said about being at the right place at the right time.