The highlight for us guys was to go back to the Kodokan together. We spent several years and hours on the mat learning, fighting, and mainly taking a beating. As high school students, we learned and fought some of the best judoka in the world. We were so very lucky. But unfortunately, because of many concussions, we don’t remember everything or don’t want to.
Tim still has his old ID card
During the school year, we would go work out with the prison guards or police in Fuchu. This is our Fuchu Prison Guard Club. Some very tough guys here.
It did pay off. We came back and won some state and national championships
Way back in the day.
The mat is usually very crowded, full of world-class fighters. I spent most of my time in the
fetal position on the side.
Here I am getting ready for another beat-down.
The blows to the head had a negative impact on Tim. He never did fully recover.
This will probably be the last time that we will every be together again. We are scattered across the country and around the world. I am so glad we got to spend our last visit together in my home, Japan.