nicojo
05-21-2005, 07:54 PM
Neat! From Daily Yomiuri Online, May 21, 2005
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Judo clubs help Iraqi peers
The Yomiuri Shimbun
The Japan Judo Federation and the Kodokan Judo Institute have donated tatami mats and judo uniforms to the Iraq Judo Federation to help promote the martial art there.
The Ground Self-Defense Force, which is conducting reconstruction operations in Samawah, Iraq, delivered the equipment, comprising 168 tatami mats and 140 judo uniforms, which Iraqis began to use immediately.
Tatami mats and judo uniforms were stolen in the aftermath of the invasion of Iraq, but judo enthusiasts in the country reportedly are continuing practice despite deteriorated conditions.
The federation and the institute decided to send old tatami mats that had been replaced recently to Iraq and provided 100 judo uniforms that had been used by organizations under the federation and 40 child uniforms contributed by a major sports goods maker.
The federation and institute also sent five instructional videos that explain basic judo skills and forms.
The equipment was handed over on May 12 at the base of the fifth GSDF unit for reconstruction operations in Iraq.
Col. Kiyohiko Ota, commander of the fifth GSDF unit for reconstruction operations in Iraq, said, "I hope many judo wrestlers will be born among Iraqi children, and the day will come when they and Japanese wrestlers can practice together."
Ota, a black belt in judo, practiced with children after they received the new equipment.
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Judo clubs help Iraqi peers
The Yomiuri Shimbun
The Japan Judo Federation and the Kodokan Judo Institute have donated tatami mats and judo uniforms to the Iraq Judo Federation to help promote the martial art there.
The Ground Self-Defense Force, which is conducting reconstruction operations in Samawah, Iraq, delivered the equipment, comprising 168 tatami mats and 140 judo uniforms, which Iraqis began to use immediately.
Tatami mats and judo uniforms were stolen in the aftermath of the invasion of Iraq, but judo enthusiasts in the country reportedly are continuing practice despite deteriorated conditions.
The federation and the institute decided to send old tatami mats that had been replaced recently to Iraq and provided 100 judo uniforms that had been used by organizations under the federation and 40 child uniforms contributed by a major sports goods maker.
The federation and institute also sent five instructional videos that explain basic judo skills and forms.
The equipment was handed over on May 12 at the base of the fifth GSDF unit for reconstruction operations in Iraq.
Col. Kiyohiko Ota, commander of the fifth GSDF unit for reconstruction operations in Iraq, said, "I hope many judo wrestlers will be born among Iraqi children, and the day will come when they and Japanese wrestlers can practice together."
Ota, a black belt in judo, practiced with children after they received the new equipment.