Well, welcome to the big dogs........

.........or the big gi's or however you would like to say or word it. Let's just say that there are no words to use for the experience we all received today! How do I begin.....hum...the words.....I am certainly not going to do it justice because being in the environment is really the only way to understand. But I shall try....
Imagine if you will........
Hundreds of people all waiting in a line for two small doors to open. Coaches, kids of all colors, weights, ages and sizes. (You can say Kilograms, pounds, ounces, it is all irrelevant when there are soo many shoved together in one tiny little area!)
All of these people anxiously awaiting for these two small doors to open in order to overtake the University of California-Irvine's arena for the next two days. Some of the kids were quiet, (Well, they were deaf but it added to the ambiance and thrill of being somewhere new!) some were loud and obnoxious,(It is California...I think I have heard that about some of these people), some were sweet and kind, (That would probably be us! *giggles!*) most spoke Japanese or Spanish or languages I have never heard or can't identify, and then there were some that were naive and new and just had these "What have I gotten myself into"looks. (Okay, maybe we fall into two categories!)

Finally...the wait is over. Like bread popping out of the toaster, the doors eject and there is that pre-shiai mayhem but more at a normal level times 100! People pushing, kids with gi bags that are bigger than they are trying to squeeze through the turntable to make their way to the "really BIG fight of their lives" and moms grabbing hands to not lose their younger children. Some had obviously been here before, they expected it, you could tell. However, when we walked into that arena and there was music blaring as if we were at a rock concert rather than a judo tournament, you couldn't help but show your ...holy moley...we aren't in Kansas anymore Toto expression! Some "in your face" motivating music blared throughout the stadium and an even louder voice, if that is possible, speaks to invite all judoka on the mat to warm up.

See chaos!!! This is just one side and corner of the mat area! WOW!!!
I am shoving Jon's contacts in his eyes and fast as I can. The poor kid didn't even know what hit him. He was whisked away by coach Mister and down to the arena floor they go.

The little man was amazing. He didn't seem to be timid, shy, out of place. He stood at the mat and listened to directions as if he was getting directions for a walk in the park that he loved! The kids kept coming out of the wood work, or concrete work if you would rather, the music continued to blare..one motivating kick your hiney song after another, while moms, dads, clubs, etc. looked frantically to find the best seats to watch their player in the 8 fight stadium! Yup, I said 8!!!

As if this wasn't to be outdone.....the participants were taken off and over 100 judges/refs lined up at the end of the mats. Wow! Amazing! But here is the best part, out come the players holding their state/country sign to the Eye of the Tiger, Right Here, Right Now, and the list goes on. Unbelievable, there was Oregon, Idaho,

This is our little Idaho group! Jon is the third one from the front!
Washington, Illinois, Ohio, Brazil....yup the country....Australia...yup that country too...and California...the State that just kept coming. I was pretty sure they had forgotten to keep passing out the signs during California's big showing. Everyone was welcomed, thank yous were expressed, the anthem was sung....that always amazes me, the kids all bowed and then it was time.
I have tried all week to figure out how to post the silly video...but I can't. So, pictures will have to do. (We have TONS of video footage and would love to sit and chat will you come over to see!)

Here is some prior knowledge before I tell you how he did...I was told by several people that going to your first National is just for the experience. The description was that more than likely our Little Man's fights would be bow, throw (his opponent throwing him), bow. And that this would be okay. After just the opening ceremonies I can see and fully expected to have that happen!

He did lose. However, he didn't lose by a throw. He fought hard and got out of several pins on the mat and he remained completely calm before, during and after each fight! I am so completely proud of him. He was amazing! And just another little tid bit of information...the first boy he fought, was last years USA National Champion. So hey, 2 1/2 minutes (Three minutes is the full time allotted for each fight)with a champion...not too bad Little Man! Not too bad!

In our eyes, Jonathan represented himself and his Judo Club with honesty, integrity, sportsmanship and respect! Way to go Little Man!!

"Where are you going now that you have competed in Jr. Nationals? I am going to DiSnEyLaNd!!!!"