Discover the Art and Soul of Judo Through Poetry
What if the principles of throws, balance, kata, randori, and shiai could be remembered not just through drills, but through rhyme? In Judo Poems, 9th Dan judoka Sid Kelly blends over sixty years of martial arts experience with the power of verse, creating an unforgettable guide to the gentle way.
From witty couplets to profound reflections, these poems unlock the secrets of judo in a way that's educational, entertaining, and deeply inspiring. Whether you are a beginner stepping onto the tatami for the first time or a seasoned competitor looking for new insights, this collection brings technique, philosophy, and history to life.
Inside you'll discover:
✅ The mechanics of judo explained in verse-learn kuzushi, tsukuri, and kake with ease.
✅ Practical insights into training methods: form practice (kata), free practice (randori), and contest (shiai).
✅ Life lessons from the mat: resilience, humility, discipline, and the joy of practice.
✅ Tributes and stories from the judo community celebrating the spirit of teachers, students, and champions.
✅ Cultural reflections on how judo has grown from Japan to the rest of the world.
With a foreword by Olympic medalist Jim Bregman, Judo Poems is more than a book of verse. Since every judoka knows there are lessons you only discover while practicing randori. Consider this poem as a whispered hint from the tatami itself:
A CLEVER GRAPPLER
A clever grappler can hold them all,
And when held, can untangle from the small and the tall.
A clever grappler has knowledge, skill, and fitness,
And to him it's a serious game of physical chess.
When on top he always comes out on top,
And however grueling he'll never stop.
Whether he's working from the side or head,
His skill and training always brings him out ahead.
If he's held down in an excruciating wrap,
He always has the option to attack.
But however much the hold makes him frown,
It's not long before the holder isn't holding him down.
If he's underneath he'll execute a turnover,
And then when he's on top it's soon all over,
Or from underneath he can search, feel and find,
An arm lock or choke, leaving all uke's hopes behind.
The arts of a grappler are three-fold,
The arm-lock, the strangle, and the hold.
Of the three, the hold is the root of the tree,
Because its presence permeates all three.
Although the physical actions of each hold,
All vary when their story is told,
The action that is invisible and common to all,
Is the skill of control: the heart of grappling wherewithal.
Whether submissions are applied gradually,
Or suddenly and forcefully,
The skill of control is always present,
And every victory of this skill is its present.
Many grapplers purposely circumvent throwing,
Debilitating their standing to mat-work transitioning.
A clever grappler will attempt throws that are bold,
Followed by arm locks, strangles, and perhaps a hold.
If reading that made you grin and think, "Yes-that's judo," then this book is written for you.
Whether you're a judoka, martial artist, coach, or simply someone who enjoys poetry, this book will give you new ways to see, remember, and live the art of judo.
Step onto the tatami. Read, reflect, and rediscover the gentle way.
Add Judo Poems to your cart today and bring the spirit of judo into your training and your life.
