Dear Mr. Rodriguez:

 

        I have just returned from competing in the Masters at the US Open and the overwhelming feeling that I and every other competitor, I spoke to, felt was disappointment. Disappointment that there were only 65 competitors for the whole Masters division, disappointment that we all took days off of work paid for airfare,hotel rooms and restaurants only to find that there were no other judokas in our weight and age class. When the Master's competition is advertised on USA Judo's website and we are encouraged to compete USA Judo has an obligation to do all it can to assure we have a worthwhile experience. In this you have failed.

 

There are several simple steps that could improve the competition as follows:

 

1. Todate, USAJudo has failed to be transparent as to the registered competitors, as with the World Masters competition all competitors registered to fight should be listed on the website for all to view.. This will have several positive effects, first if there is no other competitors in his/her division then at least the judoka will know in advance and make a decision before hand to withdraw or to compete in a younger or heavier group. We should not have to make that decision at the competition after incurring the expenses that I alluded to above. However I believe the website posting will have the effect of adding competitors. If you know there is competition you are more likely to compete. Interestingly enough a member of my club (NYAC) who fights 90k M7 asked me to let him know if anyone was in that division and if so would fly to Atlanta to compete I did not have the information until it was too late and both he and the one man in 90k M7 lost out. 

2. Appoint a spokesperson for the Masters as part of the executive committee of USAJudo. John Miller saved the competition in Atlanta by combining groups. I suggest he be appointed as there would be no one better.

3. Communicate with all the competitors and clubs via e mail as to the two  tournaments USA Judo sponsors encouraging them to fight. Let them know who and how many competitors are in their divisions . Make the e mail addresses of the Masters available to all who run Masters competitions.

4. Provide this information to the coaches of all foreign teams asking them to bring players if they know there is a masters competition we make get a positive surprise response. The example is the two Mongolians we had this year.

 

These are simple changes and they are my ideas. There may be better ideas but immediate changes are needed and if not forthcoming I will not compete in a USA Judo Tournament again nor will I be open to any fundraising that I may be asked to donate to. This email will be sent to all Masters athletes that I know asking them to forward it to other Masters athletes they know asking for their support. With a little attention and vision the Masters can be a source of strength for USA Judo but it will take some effort.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Arthur Canario