A 10-year-old boy decided to study
judo, despite the fact he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident.
The boy began taking lessons with an
old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn’t understand
why, after three months of training – the master had taught him only one move.
“Sensei,” the boy finally said, “shouldn’t I be learning more moves?” “This is
the only move you’ll ever need to know,” the sensei replied. Not quite
understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training. Several
months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament.
old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn’t understand
why, after three months of training – the master had taught him only one move.
“Sensei,” the boy finally said, “shouldn’t I be learning more moves?” “This is
the only move you’ll ever need to know,” the sensei replied. Not quite
understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training. Several
months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament.
Surprising himself, the boy easily won
his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after
some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy skillfully used
his one move to win the match.
his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after
some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy skillfully used
his one move to win the match.
Amazed by his success, the boy was now
in the finals.
in the finals.
This time, his opponent was bigger,
stronger, and more experienced. For awhile, the boy appeared to be out-matched.
Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. The ref
was about to stop the match – when the sensei intervened. “No!” the sensei
insisted, “Let him continue.” Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a
critical mistake: He dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin
him. The boy had won the match, and the tournament.
stronger, and more experienced. For awhile, the boy appeared to be out-matched.
Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. The ref
was about to stop the match – when the sensei intervened. “No!” the sensei
insisted, “Let him continue.” Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a
critical mistake: He dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin
him. The boy had won the match, and the tournament.
He was the champion!
On the way home, the boy and sensei
reviewed every move in each match. Then, the boy summoned the courage to ask
what was really on his mind. “Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only
one move?” “You won for two reasons,” the sensei replied. “First, you’ve almost
mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only
known defense for that move – is for your opponent to grab your left arm.”
reviewed every move in each match. Then, the boy summoned the courage to ask
what was really on his mind. “Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only
one move?” “You won for two reasons,” the sensei replied. “First, you’ve almost
mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only
known defense for that move – is for your opponent to grab your left arm.”
The boy’s greatest weakness – was
actually his greatest strength.
actually his greatest strength.
“Whatever personal challenge you have to overcome, you must be brave enough to
accept that you are different. You must have the courage to understand your
instincts and be ready to question what other people don’t. If you do that, you
can seize opportunities that others would miss. Believe in yourself, and use
everything you can – including the obstacles – to propel you along the road to
success. Who knows what you might achieve?”
Jeremy
