Participating in judo tournaments

October 28, 2025

Participating in judo tournaments

Since early last year we try to participate now and then in a judo tournament. But Kabouter needed an orange belt to be allowed in any tournament for U13, which he only conquered at the end of June. And in January he'll be part of the U15 with even more strict participation rules.

So this autumn, I am trying to prioritize some time for him in our calendar to go to tournaments.

At the end of September, we drove to Deinze for a first tournament. Double win: we could combine our trip with a short visit to my mother, and she could come and watch her grandsons compete in judo for the first time. For me, it was a big trip down nostalgia lane to go back to the sports centre where I had my sports classes 3-4 decades ago. Glad to see Palaestra was modernized.

Back in Palaestra

First it was time for the U11 but Beertje's poule only had to complete just before lunchtime. Hmm his warm-up got waisted well on the bench during all that waiting time. By the time he had to step forward, he seemed surprised and not yet ready. Within a few seconds, before my mom realized, his first fight was over. Oops.

But the next fight was better and for his last fight the hall was almost empty already since he was among the last to compete that morning. Together with the other parents from Leuven and our coach, we managed to scream him to a victory. Totally awesome and grandma was very proud.

In the afternoon, we took position to cheer for the U13 and for Kabouter, who concentrated with his friends at the edge of the tatami. Unfortunately, he didn't manage to take any victory in his 3 fights.

A few weeks later we were present in Genk for another tournament. This time only Kabouter was motivated to compete, and I really hoped he'd manage to pull of a victory once since he worked so hard in his training sessions. His brother had said goodbye when we left with the remark "the next time I'll see you, you'll have a victory". Kabouter had replied. "One? Three".

Our group wasn't too big, and he sought some last advice from the coach.

And then he fought and apparently applied what he had trained on with another father / coach on training the day before. And he managed to get and keep his opponent 20 seconds in a hold and won!!! We were so excited and happy for him. After 18 losses, he had kept the faith and built up concentration, and this time he had succeeded.

And now he has the knowledge and experience that he can beat his opponents. ... And so he did again in the next fight. And again in the third fight! Holy moly ! So awesome for him. I believe the coaches and other parents present were just so happy for him since he had worked so hard for it.