USC Judo Club going beyond judo?

CEBU, Philippines - The Central Visayas Judo Association believes that the University of San Carlos Judo Club has committed “serious misrepresentation” by teaching its members to employ kicks and punches and the use of weapons.

In a letter to club president Ariel Albios, lawyer and CVJA President Vicente Fernandez II asked the organization to stop calling the group as a “judo club” for the reason that its teachings allegedly run contrary to the principles of judo.  

Judo, which means the “gentle way,” is originated in Japan way back in the late 19th century.

“This is a serious case of fraudulent misrepresentation because Kodokan Judo does not engage in kicks, punches and weapon and yet your training instructor claimed that this is Kodokan Judo,” the letter reads.

The letter was also addressed to the club’s adviser Eleazar Lara. Fernandez said they were compelled to conduct an ocular inspection of the club after they read from internet blog Istorya.net that the USCJC teaches its members to employ kicks, punches, and the use of weapons. The blog was written by someone who identified himself as “Barcode” but who was later identified as Noel Quinicot, one of the club’s instructors.

The blog also reportedly said that the club’s program is Kodokan Judo by no less than the founder of judo Jigoro Kano.

Tracy Tradio, an officer of CVJA, then attended several sessions of the club and observed that it teaches “mixed martial arts, striking techniques and even weapons training with very insignificant emphasis on judo.”

Tradio also observed that instructors were left to train physical education students. However, only qualified and accredited instructors of the national sports association are reportedly the ones entrusted with the authority to train.

Tradio further observed that the club is bringing the name of the school yet most of those who practice in the club are reportedly not from the University of San Carlos.

In an interview with The FREEMAN, Lara and Albios said they have not received the letter. They, however, but denied teaching mixed martial arts to their club members.

“Judo ra gyud ang amo-ang gitudlo. Wala man mi mag-gamit ug weapons,” Albios said.

Lara, who has been teaching judo since 1984, also said they did not go beyond the teachings of judo. “We only teach judo,” Lara said.

Fernandez said those who participate in the judo club at USC are exempted from taking up regular physical education classes, as it will be Lara who will give grades to the students.

USC P.E. Department Chairman Astrid Ocampo said they already received a copy of the complaint and will refer the same to the university’s martial arts coordinator and athletics director for action.

Fernandez said they only want to free the association and judo as a whole from any “moral and presumptive liability should anything serious happens to their club members and P.E. students.” — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/JMO  (THE FREEMAN)