Hajime! Koka! Yuko!
Cries of referees at a judo match bounced off the walls of the Southwest Recreation Center Saturday while children and adults competed in the 2008 Gator Open Judo Tournament.
The tournament, hosted by the UF Judo Club, was the first held at UF in five years.
About 80 competitors ranging from ages 6 to 50 competed against other judo students from all over Florida.
Kyle Ditzian, social chairman of UF Judo Club, said the Japanese martial art is a good sport for all ages because it isn't as dangerous as other sports.
"There's no punching or kicking," Ditzian said. "The worst I've ever done is pushed over a cup of water by accident when I was fighting."
Judo, which means "gentle way" in Japanese, emphasizes overtaking your opponent with skill rather than strength.
Judo requires its students to participate in matches to progress in the levels of colored belts, a system similar to other forms of martial arts, Ditzian said.
Belts range from white, the lowest skill level, to black, the highest. Match winners earned additional points toward his or her next belt, he said.
"Juniors," or judo students under 17, competed in the first part of the tournament while older participants watched, stretching and practicing moves outside of the designated mats.
Parents stood along the large gray mats, some yelling, "Roll him, baby!" and "Turn her over!"
The tournament was open to both sexes, though only 11 girls and women participated.
Tedi-Marie Usher, a member of UF Judo, said she was uncomfortable at first with the low number of females in the club and in the sport.
"It can definitely be limiting," said Usher, who was one of two girls her age to compete. "I don't get to experience as many techniques or learn as much since there aren't as many girls."
There were more younger participants competing than older ones, though one competitor, Anthony Allen, 48, said the fact that there was an age category for 40- to 50-year-olds was still impressive.
Chan Youn, treasurer of UF Judo Club, said the tournament took a few months to coordinate but was a good way to make money and network with other clubs.
Though not much of a profit was made after the estimated $2,400 cost, Youn said he thinks the Gator Open will raise awareness for the club.
UF Judo Club, which has grown from about 10 active members last year to at least 30 this semester, won second-best team at the tournament, after the Central Florida Judo Club.
