2008 Woodie Awards
Campus Club Sports
A Thrilling Alternative to Varsity Athletics
Fayez Rumi
Issue date: 3/9/07 Section: Features
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Features Profiles 6 Club Sports on campus. For a full listing of all the clubs and club sports offered on campus, please visit the ASUPS website (http://asups.ups.edu)
• Judo Club
Twice a week, a small group of UPS students meets to practice falling, throwing and physics. No, they are not bored science majors. They are the UPS Judo Club, and they are learning the martial art under the tutelage of Professor Karim Ochosi, an Olympic coach and previous national team member with 33 years of judo experience.
The club has been practicing for two years on wrestling mats in the Fieldhouse dance room. Junior Ali Divanfard, treasurer of the club, estimates that two to three members come to practice consistently.
"It takes more commitment than many people expect," he said. "It takes years before you become like the guys in the movies."
The first thing members learn is how to fall correctly and safely. After that, they practice the fundamental throws and holds of the martial art.
"The most important thing is breaking the balance [of your opponent]," Divanfard said. "It's not about strength, it's about leverage. It has a lot to do with physics - maximum efficiency, minimum effort. Theoretically, your weight and size don't really matter."
Though funding has prevented the club from competing in any tournaments as of yet, they have traveled to other clubs in the area to train. Divanford said that in those situations, Ochosi's coaching has been valuable.
"It's kind of a testament to how much it matters who your teacher is," he said.
The Judo Club's small size often means it gets lower priority for facilities, but the club still prefers to let students "self-select" into the group rather than advertising widely. Divanfard hopes the club will become stronger as more people join; more students will have higher rankings, and will therefore be able to help less experienced members. He emphasized that the club welcomes both men and women interested in competing.
• Judo Club
Twice a week, a small group of UPS students meets to practice falling, throwing and physics. No, they are not bored science majors. They are the UPS Judo Club, and they are learning the martial art under the tutelage of Professor Karim Ochosi, an Olympic coach and previous national team member with 33 years of judo experience.
The club has been practicing for two years on wrestling mats in the Fieldhouse dance room. Junior Ali Divanfard, treasurer of the club, estimates that two to three members come to practice consistently.
"It takes more commitment than many people expect," he said. "It takes years before you become like the guys in the movies."
The first thing members learn is how to fall correctly and safely. After that, they practice the fundamental throws and holds of the martial art.
"The most important thing is breaking the balance [of your opponent]," Divanfard said. "It's not about strength, it's about leverage. It has a lot to do with physics - maximum efficiency, minimum effort. Theoretically, your weight and size don't really matter."
Though funding has prevented the club from competing in any tournaments as of yet, they have traveled to other clubs in the area to train. Divanford said that in those situations, Ochosi's coaching has been valuable.
"It's kind of a testament to how much it matters who your teacher is," he said.
The Judo Club's small size often means it gets lower priority for facilities, but the club still prefers to let students "self-select" into the group rather than advertising widely. Divanfard hopes the club will become stronger as more people join; more students will have higher rankings, and will therefore be able to help less experienced members. He emphasized that the club welcomes both men and women interested in competing.
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