A lesson from judo

While trying to decide whether I'd write about the fall of the American stars in the FIBA World Championships in Japan or the spectacular five-tournament winning streak of Tiger Woods, I cam across a moving e-mail.

I decided that this seems much better to share as so many sports columnists all over the world have already said their piece about the two topics mentioned above.

Yes, I was stunned by the loss of the Americans and yes, I was delighted to receive a text message from my good friend and fellow Tiger fan Monina Blanco early yesterday informing me of his win the Deutsche Bank Open.

This is about my favorite martial art - judo, but more importantly it has a very good lesson about turning our weakness into our strength.

This was lifted from Economic Press Inc. and sent to the egroup of the Gray Knights. Here it is:

Sometimes your biggest weakness can become your biggest strength. Take, for example, the story of one 10-year-old boy who decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident.

The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after three months of training the master had taught him only one move.

"Sensei," the boy finally said, "Shouldn't I be learning more moves?"

"This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know," the sensei replied.

Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.

Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament.

Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; The boy deftly used his one move to win the match.

Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals.

This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened.

"No," the sensei insisted, "Let him continue."

Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: He dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion.

On the way home, the boy and sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind.

"Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?"

"You won for two reasons," the sensei answered. "First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm."

The boy's biggest weakness had become his biggest strength.

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MILESTONES: Happy birthday to Christiane Davide Ong, who turns a year older today.

Belated birthday greetings go to Charlene Go of Y101 and Lorey Anne Muntuerto, who both turned a year older yesterday.

More power to all of you!