I wonder if JK Rowling ever used the Powerball? My first impression of this gyroscopic wrist strengthener is that once revved up it seems to take on a life of its own, as if it is about to fly out of my hand - bit like a Quidditch ball. I guess with all that typing of Harry Potter books, she may very well have invested in a Powerball to ease her writer's cramp. Not sure if this thing will help my grip game, but it is very addictive.
Well, onto matters of the jujitsu kind. Last week I trained with some of the guys who will be competing at the European BJJ Championship. One chap stood out in particular, purple belt Asif. Now I did not know of Asif from before but when I rolled with him it didn't take me long to realise what a quality player he is. I can't begin to describe just how many times he made me tap from all sorts of positions and angles. After chatting to him for a bit, he told me he started BJJ back when no-one had ever heard of it. He joined a club run by a then unknown Brazilian black belt who had a teenage, blue belt son. That teenage lad was Roger Gracie and the instructor was Mauricio Motta Gomez. So by my reckoning, Asif has at the least 10 years of BJJ behind him. No wonder I was being mauled like a kitten in a den of lions!
Big things are happening in my trad JJ development. My head of association told me basically to get my act together and start training for my 3rd dan. It was the kick up the arse I needed and I have worked out a schedule for the year ahead. It began last night at my JJ club with the 3rd sai kata. This convoluted twisty turny kata is actually is not too bad to learn, it just contains a couple of assymetric patterns that throw you if you are not concentrating. It's just a start but its a long road ahead.
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