Jeff
I understand where your coming from.
IMHO Tournaments have not helped the Art, in recent years,
alot has been watered down from the pre weight class art of Judo. Less classical throwing and more bent over wrestling but the competitors are still incredible.
There is some room for improvement in regards to this but I dont think that the sport aspect should be dropped. It has alot of value.
Keeping the art effective through testing the skill level of the practitioner against a resisting opponent.
If it cant be tested it cant be trusted.
The nature of the way the art is taught in the dojo and the level of competition attracts a differant type of person than most other Traditional art forms.
INHO Judo attracts the toughest fighters and is the most effective for self defense. The pavement is harder than a kick or punch. Plus you have the option of endiing conflict by controling your atttacker without physically hurting them.
It is also the most dangerous in competion and the hardest on your body of all the traditional arts.
Chris McLean
Martial Arts student