Three WTMC judoka students.

Learn the art of self-defense

Judo offered as an alternative to gym

By: Angie Entenmann

Posted: 1/16/07

Mention the phrase "high school gym class" to the average American and something about that specific memory recollection will cause a physical shutter, an uncadenced heart palpitation, or the ever-popular scream then run away combination. High school gym class is a sweaty insecurity-stimulating scenario that typically involves being pelted with dodge-balls, having to stand in front of your class in your Speedo, exposing your athletic inabilities, being picked last, and learning sports you never liked and will most likely never be included in your future.

But, wait! Washtenaw Technical Middle College (WTMC) is a dual enrollment program of sorts that allows high school students an enhanced high school educational experience by attending classes on WCC's campus. Academic innovation is the inspiration for the WTMC program and it presents new opportunities to its enrolled students every semester. This year is no exception, when Dr. Frank Gerlitz reintroduced Judo as an alternative for WTMC students to earn their physical education credit. WTMC students are allowed to participate in the Judo class for as many semesters as they are interested in continuing in the program. They are welcome to study and practice this martial art on Tuesdays in Warner Gym C on the Eastern Michigan University (EMU) campus.

Judo is often marketed as a form of self-defense. It is effective as a defensive martial art because it incorporates the laws of physics, allowing balance and knowledge of moves to prevail over both size and strength. Many females find this aspect to be quite appealing. WTMC student Cayte Spaulding was attracted to Judo because, "It's self defense. I'm not the tallest person in the world. My parents thought it was important since I'm going to college soon."

Spaulding never imagined herself to be a hand-to-hand combat kind of girl, "This was my first exposure to martial arts. It's pretty easy to catch on." WTMC students have the option of joining the EMU Judo class on Thursday nights. This defying of age barriers is a benefit Spaulding enjoys, "You get to fight with the older kids. Some of them are white belts [beginners] too. We're equal here."

Learning a sport or other form of physical activity typically only results in being familiar with a new way to sweat and stay in shape. Judo has those positive characteristics and the bonus of having a way to protect yourself, should the need ever arise. Knowledge of a form of self-defense can provide students (male and female alike) with the confidence necessary to remained focused on their actual task at hand: studying for and earning their degrees. It's difficult enough finding your car in the parking structure without the added stress of not knowing what to do should an attack occur.

Some students of this martial art really take to it and advance to a rate of high enough skill to qualify for competitions. The EMU Judo team has been sending participants to competitions and recently brought home a trophy to place in their showcase outside the gym.

Steve Dean participated in the Judo program when he was a student at WTMC. Originally he joined, "because I was terrible at wrestling and I needed something that required less strength."

Dean found practicing the martial art of Judo to be helpful in myriad ways, "The physical conditioning also helped keep me healthy and aware mentally. That also helped get me though the engineering program because it was quite rigorous. As an extra-curricular, I think it helped get me into Berkley."

Judo is a simple sport. Dr Gerlitz summed it up: "The basic point of Judo is to take the guy from the standing position and drop him on his back. You don't have to be big or fast; all you have to be is smooth and smart."