Top 5 in Paris: Reflections from the World Veterans Judo Championships

Competing at the World Veterans Judo Championships in Paris was an incredible experience — not because of the placement, but because of everything the journey revealed along the way. Earning a spot in the Top 5 felt meaningful, but the real value came from the lessons, the people, and the opportunity to test myself on a world stage.

A Tournament Filled With Heart

The event brought together judoka from across the globe, each carrying their own training histories, motivations, and personal battles. Stepping onto the mat among so many dedicated practitioners reminded me why I fell in love with martial arts in the first place. The respect, the discipline, the shared struggle — it was all there.

There’s something special about veterans divisions. Everyone has lived a lot of life, yet we’re all still here showing up, learning, and pushing ourselves.

What Helped Me Perform Well

Looking back, a few key elements made a real difference during preparation and competition:

1. Removing sugar from my diet

This one surprised me. Cutting sugar gave me clearer energy, steadier focus, and better recovery throughout camp. It’s a habit I plan to keep.

2. Consistent running

Adding regular runs to my routine boosted my conditioning and helped me manage the pace in matches — especially when rounds got gritty.

3. Embracing guard-based transitions

Using guard pulls and transitions, something not traditionally favored in judo, opened up opportunities at the right moments. It reinforced that evolving your game — even in small ways — can make a big difference.

Level Up Your Ground Game With “Quick Kills: Lightning Fast Submissions for Judo & BJJ”

One of the biggest takeaways from the World Veterans Championships was the importance ofcapitalizing on transitions— especially in judo, where newaza time is limited and every second counts. The athletes who advanced deepest were the ones who could create an opening and finishfast.

That’s exactly why I createdQuick Kills: Lightning Fast Submissions for Judo and BJJ.

This course focuses on high-percentage, rapid submissions designed for the exact moments that decide matches:

• Attacks from Turtle

• Transitions to Back Control

• Fast Juji-Gatame entries

• Stand-to-ground setupslike Arm Trap Uchimata, Collar Drag Uki Waza, and Kouchi/Kosoto sequences

• How to finish before your opponent settles or escapes

Whether you compete in judo, BJJ, or both, the systems inside Quick Kills help you strike during the chaos of movement — when most athletes hesitate.

If you enjoyed this breakdown of my Paris performance and you’re looking to sharpen your own ability to finish fast, you can explore the full course here:

👉Learn More About Quick Kills

What I’m Working On Next

Every competition shines a light on what needs improvement. Paris was no exception:

1. Sharpening my transitions

There were moments where I hesitated or didn’t commit soon enough. Cleaning up those micro-transitions will be a focus moving forward.

2. Managing match tempo better

Veterans matches require smart pacing. I felt strong in certain exchanges, but I also saw where I could have shifted momentum sooner.

3. Expanding my standing-to-ground entries

I discovered opportunities where better timing from the feet could have led to stronger newaza positions. That’s an exciting area to refine.

Why This Experience Matters

Standing among competitors from so many countries, each balancing work, family, responsibilities, and life’s challenges, was inspiring. It reminded me — and hopefully reminds others — that growth doesn’t stop as we get older. We simply learn to train smarter, stay curious, and keep moving.

For my students and the academy community, this event is another chance to bring back insights, refine the curriculum, and help everyone — regardless of age — continue rising in their practice.

Gratitude & The Road Ahead

I’m grateful for my family, my training partners, and everyone at the academy who supports this journey. Placing Top 5 wasn’t the goal — learning, testing myself, and returning home a better martial artist was.

There’s still plenty of work to do, and that’s the best part. The path continues, one step, one session, one small improvement at a time.

Paris was a milestone — and now it’s fuel for what comes next.