Feature: Young People in HK Crazy About JudoYoung people in Hong Kong are nowadays crazy about judo practicing, a traditional Japanese sport, as well as Japanese TV plays, picture books, concerts and food."I like practicing judo because it is not only good for my health, but also exciting and competitive," Henry Wong, a Hong Kong University student who has practiced judo for almost two years. Like Wong, over 10,000 Hong Kong young people, of various nationalities, have become students of Takeo Iwami, president of Hong Kong Judo Kan, which was established back in 1966. Some 100 of them took part in the Olympic Games and a dozen won the championship. Known as "father of Hong Kong's judo," Iwami came to live in Hong Kong immediately after he graduated from Waseda University in 1963. He was also the first Japanese judo lecturer who has initiated the feats in arms in Hong Kong. Judo, like sumo, is honored as a national wrestling sport in Japan. For 38 years in Hong Kong, Iwami has been practicing and teaching judo for two to three hours everyday. For his contributions to cultural exchange between Japan and Hong Kong, he was conferred an award by the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs. "I consider Hong Kong as my home and it is this dynamic city that made my dream to run a judo kan come true," Iwami said. "I live on the business of security and I give judo lectures without any pay." Iwami is also the chairman of Toyo Security and Building Management (H.K.) Ltd., which provides security services for over 100 banks, department stores and schools, as well as the Hong Kong government agencies and the Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong. He said he has also had over 50 Judo students in China's mainland. Iwami paid visits to many big cities in the mainland, including Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou, to show his Judo skills. "I like the mild weather here and hardworking style of Hong Kong people, and the Chinese cuisine is my favorite too," Iwami said. |
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