Take, for example, the story of one 10-year-old boy who decided to study judo although he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident. The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn’t understand why the master had taught him only one move after three months of training. “Sensei,” the boy finally asked, “Shouldn’t I be learning more moves? This is the only move I know.”
“But 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. Finally, the Sensei took the boy to his first tournament several months later.
Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the game. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals. This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Then, concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He 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 every 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 answered. “First, you’ve almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defence for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm.”
The boy’s biggest weakness had become his biggest strength.
Akhand Jyoti Magazine 2022 Mar-Apr
