Judo: Blending Generations for Stronger Bonds

                                                                 Article :  Špela Lampe / Photos : Judo Club Liberty Oradea archive

In the world of martial arts, there are moments when interesting encounters break all boundaries and exceed expectations. Judo Club Liberty Oradea from Romania witnessed such a turn of events. What initially began as a project focused on incorporating older adults into judo training has transformed into an inspiring tale of intergenerational connection. Children who regularly practice judo have welcomed their grandparents onto tatami, giving birth to a remarkable and captivating experiment. In this article, we will summarize the conversation with Mrs. Loredana Lascau, president of the Judo Club Liberty Oradea, and highlight the extraordinary significance and impact of this project on all involved.

Judo Club Liberty Oradea, located in Northern Romania, is a non-profit judo club with a rich tradition. Founded in 1996 by Marius Vizer, President of the International Judo Federation (IJF), the club has trained numerous successful judokas who have excelled as players and coaches. Since 2019, the club has been under the leadership of successful women Maria Loredana Lascau and Alina Borza. The club is proud to have all positions, including key roles, run by females. Collaboration with the diverse community is paramount to the club's ethos of learning and growth and the female energy within the club creates harmony.

Mrs. Maria Loredana Lascau is a 3rd DAN in Judo master. She is a former Judo athlete in the Romanian National Team and has extensive experience in Judo training, competitions, coaching, and teaching. She is involved in the entire process of selecting, training, mentoring, planning, and developing the performance of young athletes.  During the interview, Mrs. Lascau revealed: ”Nearly 40 children and their grandparents showed up at the joint judo class. The grandparents were angry when the training ended. They were so enthusiastic and eager to repeat the practice. They thanked us, saying, "We loved it, and you gave us a chance to feel young again!" We were all very emotional about it.”

The decision on incorporating the judokas' grandparents into judo training for older practitioners came naturally. Grandparents were familiar with judo as a martial art and the coaches, the dojo seemed to be a safe and happy place for them.

Unbreakable Bonds

The joint practice allowed the grandparents to move beyond the role of spectators. Usually, grandparents don't get a chance to actively participate with their grandchildren. For instance, when they take them to parks, they mainly supervise to ensure their safety. However, during judo, they had the opportunity to hold hands, laugh together, and create shared experiences. It also provided children the chance to watch their grandparents in action, which is often the opposite dynamic. Seeing their grandparents in action, children cheered for them, applauded them, and felt a sense of pride. These were precious moments within their relationship that they will likely cherish and remember for a long time. Another benefit for the grandparents was the assurance that the practice progressed gradually, ensuring their safety and removing any fear of not being able to participate. Even if they were scared, they might have been too shy to show it to us and their grandchildren. In the end, they were genuinely proud of themselves and the experiences they had. The children on the oher hand made an even greater effort than usual at practice. During the activity, when they demonstrated a judo fight against their grandmas or grandpas, they were eager to demonstrate their strength and skills. It became a time for the children to teach their grandparents and switch roles. This human interaction proved to be much more enriching and fruitful than anyone could have imagined.

”I'm certain that they won't forget the experience any time soon. It wasn't just about being at judo; it was about being at judo with their grandparents! In judo, we teach our children that in life, there are unlimited possibilities and different ways of perceiving and experiencing things. For example, mathematics can be fun and applied in practical ways, not just as something boring in schools. The same principle applies to judo. It's not just about fighting; it's about learning and discovering things about ourselves. In this particular situation, the memory that they shared the tatami with their grandparents will stay with them. It demonstrates the capacity of our beloved sport to foster inclusion. It bridges the generational gap and finds common ground, especially in today's world where technology and other factors can separate us. We managed to bring them together and cherish a simple activity that holds great values.” said Lascau.

Memory photos as tangible souvenir that captures a shared moment

The activity exceeded the expectations of all participants. The coaches arranged for the moments to be caught in the lens. Judokas and their families were given a tangible memory of their judo experience with their grandparents that will stay with them forever.

Overcoming Challenges and Positive Outcomes

At all times, the awareness that the safety of all involved comes first was at the forefront. The coaches prepared carefully for the training. They took measures to control if the elderly felt dizzy or had trouble with balance. They allowed longer breaks to give them time to catch up and regularly asked for their feedback to ensure their well-being. From the beginning, they informed them about the planned activities and encouraged them to only do exercises they felt comfortable with. If it was too much, they advised them not to push themselves. It was explained to them clearly that their heart rate would increase, and their pulmonary activity would intensify. This was particularly important for those who hadn't engaged in sports throughout their lives, so they would know what to expect and not be scared. Providing them with information helped build their confidence in handling any experiences they might encounter.

Intercultural, religious, and racial challenges can be present

The love and willingness of grandparents to do anything for their grandchildren can often transcend these challenges. They may be willing to overcome their perceptions, limitations, and cultural or religious barriers to join their grandchildren on the tatami. It requires bravery, resilience, and an open mindset to try and address these challenges. Moreover, the influence of grandparents extends beyond their direct involvement. They can inspire and influence other family members, neighbors, and community members by their participation. 

At the high level of judo, the policy is typically to promote inclusivity, without politics or religious bias. Judo athletes from different countries and diverse religious backgrounds come together to compete, travel the world, shake hands, and even hug. This shows that it is possible to bridge cultural and religious gaps through the shared values and experiences of judo. Once someone steps onto the judo mat, they become part of the judo community, which can help foster a more inclusive and harmonious society.

From experiment to the application of a new international project in educational judo

Starting from the experimental training where feedback was sought from the elderly led to the idea of a new international intergenerational project with a higher impact on countries, judo clubs, children, and the elderly. It beautifully demonstrates how in judo, we can build better societies by starting with a single project and continuously upgrading it to include international aspect. It requires skilled individuals to come together and create social impact.