A discussion about the unique experiences at Judo dojos, including a story about a business guy training during his lunch hour.

Introduction to Judo Dojos

Introduction to Neil Adams, a legend in the sport of Judo, and his achievements in the field.

Conversation with Neil Adams

Neil Adams shares his preparation and decision-making leading up to the 1980 Olympics.

Preparation for the 1980 Olympics

Neil Adams discusses the challenges he faced, including a tough decision and the impact of nutrition on his performance.

Challenges and Lessons from the 1980 Olympics

Neil Adams shares his mindset, drive to win, and the impact of losing in his competitive career.

Reflections on Winning and Losing

A conversation about the evolution of Judo, including changes in rules and styles of play.

The Evolution of Judo

Exploration of Judo as a way of life, emphasizing respect, reverence, and the mindset of champions.

Judo as a Way of Life

Discussion on the mental aspect of judo competition and the importance of maintaining a positive attitude throughout the match.

The Mental Game in Judo

Insight into the intense decision-making process during competitive judo matches, particularly when deciding whether to go all out for a throw or submission.

Championship Mindset and Decision Making

Exploration of the transition from standing to ground in judo and the strategic decisions involved in maintaining control and executing attacks on the ground.

Transition from Standing to Ground

Discussion on the significance of gripping techniques in judo and the influence of different styles of gripping, particularly in high-level competitions.

The Impact of Gripping in Judo

Reflection on the emotional impact of losing in judo competitions and the profound life lessons learned from handling defeat with resilience and grace.

Dealing with Loss and Life Lessons

Advice on overcoming depression and addiction, the physical and mental effects of not drinking, and the importance of finding the cause of one's struggles.

Overcoming Dark Places

The importance of gratitude, appreciating what one has, and recognizing that there are always others who are worse off.

Gratitude and Perspective

The challenges of transitioning to a normal life after a successful sports career, including the loss of sponsorships and the adjustment to a different routine.

Life After Competition

The difficulty of transitioning to a normal life after retiring from competition, the options of coaching or media involvement, and the accidental entry into commentary.

Transitioning to a Normal Life

The evolution of commentary style, the importance of timing and precision, and the passion behind the commentary.

Commentary and Passion

Discussion about accessing judo matches online, admiration for Teddy Renner as a judo champion, and insights into his matches and competitors.

Judo TV and Teddy Renner

Debate about the greatest judo champions, including Teddy Renner, Yamashita, and Ohno, and the qualities that make a champion.

The Greatest of All Time

Discussion on the danger of being thrown and the heightened defenses in Japan.

Reflecting on the Danger

Struggling in a competition after 2 years of being unbeatable.

Struggling in Competition

Adapting to the danger of being thrown in Japan and the winning ego that had to adapt.

Adapting to Danger

Training experiences in Japan, including facing a formidable opponent known as Gold Tooth.

Training in Japan

Discussion on the transition and progression in Judo and Jiu-Jitsu techniques.

Transition and Progression

Exploring the differences in control and aggression in Judo and Jiu-Jitsu.

Control and Aggression

Discussing the science of control in Judo and the importance of pinning techniques.

The Science of Control

Comparing the urgency and patience in Judo and Jiu-Jitsu techniques.

Judo and Jiu-Jitsu Differences

Adapting Judo techniques for mixed martial arts and the importance of control in Jiu-Jitsu.

Transition and Adaptation

Emphasizing the importance of hard training and the impact of a positive training mentality.

Training Methodology

Discussion about physical training, skills training, and the importance of good repetition in preparation for competition.

Preparing for Competition

Exploring the advantages of full-time training and the focus on specific skills without the pressure of sparring.

The Importance of Skills Training

In-depth discussion about the technique and challenges of the Tai Otoshi throw in judo.

The Art of Tai Otoshi

Emphasizing the importance of correct repetition and oversight in skill development.

Repetition and Correct Technique

Reflecting on the impact of training partners and small technical details in skill development.

Training Partners and Technical Development

Discussion about physical conditioning, running, weight training, and the scientific approach to training.

Physical Conditioning and Training Methods

Highlighting the importance of live training (Randori) and the need for more judo practice.

The Significance of Randori

Reflecting on deep exhaustion in competition and the physical and mental challenges faced during matches.

Competition and Exhaustion

Sharing insights on memorable judo events, including the Paris tournaments and the significance of the Olympics.

Memorable Judo Events

# The Judo Chronicles

## A Conversation with Neil Adams

In this edition of The Judo Chronicles, we continue our conversation with Neil Adams, a legend in the sport of Judo. Neil is a world champion, two-time Olympic silver medalist, and a five-time European champion. He is often referred to as the voice of Judo, commentating all the major events, world championships, and Olympic games, highlighting the drama, the triumph, and the artistry of the sport of judo.

### The 1980 Olympics

Neil takes us back to the 1980 Olympics, where he shares his mindset, preparation, and strategy leading into the games. He recalls the challenges of cutting weight to compete in the 71 kg division and the impact it had on his performance. Despite his strong track record and confidence, Neil faced a split decision loss in the final, which continues to haunt him to this day.

### The Strengths and Weaknesses

Neil reflects on his judo strengths and weaknesses during the 1980 Olympics. He vividly remembers winning matches with throws like Taito Sheep, Uchimata, and Juji Katami. However, he also acknowledges the challenges he faced, particularly when fighting left-handed opponents, and the impact of his nutrition on his performance.

### The Drive to Win

Neil opens up about his competitive drive and the desire to win that has been deeply rooted in him since a young age. He shares the internal struggle of handling losses and the importance of showing respect and sportsmanship even in defeat.

### Judo as a Way of Life

As a way of life, Neil emphasizes the reverence, calmness, and respect that are integral to judo. He highlights the importance of teaching these values to young practitioners and the significance of maintaining a sense of respect and sportsmanship even in the face of intense competition.

### The 1981 World Championship

Neil's dominant run at the 1981 World Championship is also discussed, where he won the title in the 78 kg division. He recalls the confidence he had going into the championship and the mindset of stepping onto the mat with the intention to win in every encounter.

### Lessons in Losing

Neil shares the profound impact of losing, particularly at the 1980 Olympics, and the lessons he learned from those experiences. He emphasizes the importance of handling defeat in the right way and the resilience required to bounce back from setbacks.

### Overcoming Dark Places

Neil delves into the mental and emotional challenges he faced, including dealing with depression and the impact of alcohol and drugs. He shares his advice for overcoming these dark places, emphasizing the physical and mental differences that come from making positive changes.

### The Greatest of All Time

Neil discusses the greatest judo athletes of all time, including Teddy Renner, Shohei Ohno, and Tamerlan Basheev. He highlights their achievements and the impact they have had on the sport of judo.

### The Importance of Training

Neil emphasizes the significance of hard training and the impact it had on his career. He shares his approach to training, which involved pushing himself to train harder than anyone else, and the importance of having a team of hard trainers.

### The Art of Judo

In this final segment of the conversation, Neil delves into the art of judo, specifically focusing on the intricacies of specific throws and the importance of good repetition and correct technique. He emphasizes the value of skills training and the impact it has on a judoka's overall performance.

## Conclusion

Neil's insights into the world of judo provide a unique perspective on the sport, its challenges, and the values it instills in its practitioners. His journey from the highs of victory to the lows of defeat serves as a testament to the resilience and unwavering spirit of a true champion.

Stay tuned for the next edition of The Judo Chronicles, where we delve deeper into the world of judo with Neil Adams.

Unveiling the Champion Mindset: Neil Adams' Journey in Judo

He was well-prepared and hungry for success

Because he was not seeded in the higher weight category

Because he was seeded in the top 4 in the lower weight category

Because he wanted to avoid tough opponents

To make judo more like freestyle wrestling

The wrestler was a nightmare and like a monster

The wrestler was not as strong without the jacket

The wrestler was easier to control without the jacket

The wrestler's technique was less effective without the jacket

Engage in physical activities and exercise

Stop drinking for at least 2 days or a week

Catching the right sleeve of his opponent and getting the right arm over the top

Maintaining physical fitness after retirement

Renewed their sponsorship for another Olympic cycle

Provided financial support for his transition to coaching

Took back his car and stopped funding him within 2 weeks

Offered him a coaching position within their organizations

Not attacking with a dominant sleeve grip

Touching below the belt line with the arms

He was the winner of the Paris tournament

He was the greatest competitor Judo's ever known

He felt the danger and heightened his defenses

He won a competition without being scored on

Weight distribution and change of balance

Ability to focus specifically on skills without worrying about sparring

Repetition under pressure and correction of skills

Teaching the partner to react in the right way

Developing the right technique in the partner

Improving the partner's strength and speed

Good instruction, good teaching, and a good club atmosphere

Rigorous competition and intense training

A strong foundation in technique and good instruction

Paris tournaments and the crowd's enthusiasm

Olympic Games in Japan and the surprise defeats

Best balance of weight categories and educated audience

Strong individual performers and intense training

Long history of judo tradition and coaching expertise

Massive support from the government and sponsors

- The conversation is with Neil Adams, a legend in the sport of Judo
- He discusses his preparation and experience at the 1980 Olympics
- He lost in the final due to a split decision and reflects on his weaknesses and regrets
- He also discusses the importance of nutrition in high-level sports and mentions other athletes who have succeeded despite poor nutrition

- The speaker discusses the importance of nutrition and training in his athletic career
- He emphasizes his competitive drive and desire to win, even in non-competitive situations
- The speaker reflects on his competitive mindset and training with world champions
- He compares different styles of judo, focusing on the traditional Japanese style and the influence of Eastern Bloc countries on the sport

- Judo changed shape as wrestling styles were introduced
- By 1995, judo was at risk of being removed from the Olympics
- Leg grabs were banned to prevent stalling and encourage dynamic throws
- Judo is a way of life with a focus on respect and reverence
- Great champions are defined by their behavior in defeat
- Winning the 1981 World Championship was a confident and dominant experience
- The mindset of a champion is to always strive for victory, even when ahead on points

- The speaker discusses the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and not giving up in sports competitions
- He shares his experience of winning a World Championship in Judo and the challenges he faced
- He talks about facing opponents from different countries and the feeling of danger in competitions
- The importance of mindset and the different styles of Judo are also discussed

- The speaker discusses the importance of gripping in judo and the impact of rule changes on the sport.
- He reflects on his experience at the 1984 Olympics, where he was the favorite to win but ultimately lost in the final match.
- The loss was devastating, and he attributes it to feeling tired and having a different mindset going into the competition.

- The speaker experienced devastating loss and struggled with the aftermath, including drinking too much and a downward spiral in his life.
- He had recurring dreams about trying to put right an Olympic final and still wakes up sweating from them.
- Despite the impact of the loss, he acknowledges that it ultimately led him to become the man he is today.
- He emphasizes the importance of handling defeat in the right way and the impact of bad decisions made in a "fuzzy haze" of excessive drinking.
- He eventually reached a turning point and made a promise to stop drinking.

- The speaker discusses his decision to stop drinking and the physical and mental effects of sobriety
- He also talks about the difficulty of transitioning from being a competitive athlete to a normal life
- The conversation transitions to the speaker's experience with commentary and the importance of precise and specific commentary in Judo
- The speaker also promotes judotv.com as a valuable resource for watching Judo events

- Neil Adams, a Judo legend, reflects on his experience at the 1980 Olympics and his loss in the final
- He emphasizes the importance of nutrition and training in high-level sports
- Judo has evolved over time, with rule changes and the influence of different styles
- Adams discusses his devastating loss at the 1984 Olympics and the impact it had on his life
- He emphasizes the importance of handling defeat and making positive decisions
- Adams also talks about his journey to sobriety and the challenges of transitioning from a competitive athlete to a normal life
- He promotes judotv.com as a valuable resource for watching Judo events

- The video discusses Teddy Renner's judo career and his status as the greatest judo winner of all time
- It highlights Renner's impressive record and his ability to adapt and win against opponents
- The video also touches on the technical aspects of judo, such as different throwing techniques and the ability to attack from both flanks
- It mentions Renner's recent matches and the challenges he faces from younger opponents

- The final of the World Championships had a controversial situation with Tseyev and a counter move that was initially not counted but later overruled.
- Tseyev and Basheev are potential Olympic contenders.
- The penalties for stalling in Judo were explained.
- Teddy Renner won the match against the Korean in a golden score, despite the Korean's strong performance.
- The importance of representing oneself well on and off the mat in judo was discussed, with examples of great champions like Ohno and Nomura.

- The speaker discusses his experiences training in Japan and the intensity of the randori sessions
- He describes the frustration and challenges of being thrown and the impact it had on his ego
- The speaker recalls a memorable training session with a businessman who was also a skilled judoka
- He mentions Kashiwazaki sensei as a judo genius and a favorite of his

- The speaker discusses a judo match and the techniques used by the competitors
- They also compare judo and jiu-jitsu, noting differences in approach and time scale
- The urgency and aggression in judo ground techniques is highlighted
- The importance of transitioning and the impact on conditioning is also discussed
- The speaker mentions Roger Gracie and his approach to learning judo for transitions in jiu-jitsu

- The speaker discusses the power and technique of a judo pin and how it can be used to control opponents on the ground.
- They also talk about the importance of training hard and the impact it has on creating successful athletes in judo and jiu-jitsu.
- The conversation touches on the transition of judo and jiu-jitsu techniques to mixed martial arts, and the success of judoka in the UFC.
- The speaker highlights the work ethic and determination of athletes like Ronda Rousey and Kayla Harrison, and the importance of training methodology in creating successful athletes.

- The speaker discusses the intense physical and judo training at their club
- They emphasize the importance of skill training and the advantage of having a full-time training group
- They share experiences with Olympic athletes and the importance of proper technique and training partners
- The speaker criticizes ineffective coaching methods and discusses the challenges of physical conditioning, particularly running

The video discusses Teddy Renner's judo career and his status as the greatest judo winner of all time. It highlights his impressive record, technical aspects of judo, recent matches, and challenges from younger opponents. The final of the World Championships had a controversial situation with Tseyev and Basheev as potential Olympic contenders. The penalties for stalling in Judo were explained. Teddy Renner won a match against a Korean in a golden score. The importance of representing oneself well on and off the mat in judo was discussed, with examples of great champions. The speaker discusses his experiences training in Japan, frustration of being thrown, a memorable training session, and judo match techniques. They also compare judo and jiu-jitsu, highlight the urgency and aggression in judo ground techniques, and discuss the importance of transitioning and conditioning. The speaker mentions Roger Gracie and his approach to learning judo for transitions in jiu-jitsu. They also talk about the importance of training hard and the impact it has on creating successful athletes in judo and jiu-jitsu, as well as the transition of judo and jiu-jitsu techniques to mixed martial arts. The speaker highlights the work ethic and determination of athletes like Ronda Rousey and Kayla Harrison, and the importance of training methodology in creating successful athletes. They emphasize the importance of skill training and the advantage of having a full-time training group, and share experiences with Olympic athletes and the importance of proper technique and training partners. The speaker criticizes ineffective coaching methods and discusses the challenges of physical conditioning, particularly running.

- The speaker recalls crossing the finishing line of a race and the challenges he faced during the competition.
- He discusses the importance of randori (live training) in judo and the lack of focus on it in some countries.
- The speaker mentions tough opponents and training partners in judo, and the mental and physical exhaustion experienced during competitions.
- The video transitions to a discussion of a judo competitor's technique and the speaker's dedication to fitness and training, even while traveling for commentary.

- The speaker had to find alternative ways to work out when the gym was closed, so they used the steps in high-rise hotels for exercise.
- They emphasized the importance of good instruction, teaching, and a supportive club atmosphere in martial arts.
- Building a solid foundation in technique is crucial for long-term success in judo.
- The speaker shared memorable experiences from commentating judo events, such as the passionate crowds in Paris and surprising upsets.
- They discussed the pressure and empathy involved in commentating Olympic judo matches.

The speaker reflects on the challenges of judo competition and the importance of live training. They emphasize the need for good instruction and a supportive club atmosphere, and discuss their dedication to fitness and training, even while traveling for commentary. The speaker also shares memorable experiences from commentating judo events, including the pressure and empathy involved in Olympic matches."""

Neil Adams is a judo world champion, 2-time Olympic silver medalist, 5-time European champion, and often referred to as the Voice of Judo. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
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OUTLINE:
0:00 - Introduction
1:46 - 1980 Olympics
19:09 - Judo explained
27:14 - Winning
45:28 - 1984 Olympics
54:29 - Lessons from losing
1:10:11 - Teddy Riner
1:29:46 - Training in Japan
1:45:25 - Jiu jitsu
1:56:33 - Training
2:19:52 - Advice for beginners

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When we go to the dojos there, we all get thrown by people that never come out to be world champions.

They're just in the mix or they're going through 3 years of university, and then they go, we had a guy that came in.

He was business guy, he came in with his suitcase and his tie up like that.

He's in his lunch hour, so got to be quick.

he comes in and he goes through, he's working his way through the whole of the British team.

10 minutes later, he's just tying his tie up like that, you know, and back to work like that, you know, imagine him sitting behind his desk in his computer.

Who do you think wins, Yamashita or Saitama?

The following is a conversation with Neil Adams, a legend in the sport of Judo.

He is a world champion, two-time Olympic silver medalist, five-time European champion, and often referred to as the voice of Judo, commentating all the major events, world championships and Olympic games, highlighting the drama, the triumph, the artistry of the sport of judo, making fans like me feel the biggest wins, the biggest losses, the surprise turns of fortune, the dominance of champions coming to an end, and new champions made.

To support it, please check out our sponsors in the description.

And now, dear friends, here's Neil Adams.

You are a five-time European champion, world champion, two-time Olympic silver medalist.

What was your strategy leading into that Olympics?

So, my preparation was a little bit different to how it was the 84 and the 88 Olympic Games.

And I'd kind of done part of the preparation as well for 76 Olympic Games.

I wasn't quite old enough for those, but I was first reserve.

So in 1980, I'd had 4 years build up, and I was hungry, and I was 1 of these young athletes, and I see them so often now that was developing and full of, I won't say I was full of myself, but I was certainly confident of my ability and I wanted to conquer the world.

I'd had a couple of really tight matches with the current Olympic world champion.

So I knew that there was possibility that I could get there for the 80 Olympics.

So building up to the 80 Olympics was quite interesting because I was coming through the weights and I was halfway in between the 71 kilos weight category and the the higher weight category of 78 kilograms and I got third place at the 79 world championships the weight below For the whole year at the higher weight category, didn't win a loser contest, so I'd beaten everybody in the world.

And then I had to make a decision as to whether to drop to the weight below because I was seeded in the weight below.

And so I decided to drop into the weight below because I was seeded in the top 4.

And as it happens, I think it was probably the worst decision I made.

Well, because, simply because, I mean, it was the only contest that I lost was the final of the Olympic Games in that year.

So you're a young kid, what, like 1920 at that time, full of confidence, vigor.

So the decision to cut weight, how hard was it for you to cut weight to the 71 kg division?

I've got to say that it was the hardest because as I was going up, I was, you know, it was 73, then it was 74 kilos, 75.

So I was moving through the weight category.

It wasn't like I was stuck in the middle and then I dropped the odd time to compete.

It was literally going up in weight by a kilo every month.

And then by the time I came to a month or 2 before the Olympics, it was really hard.

Fought the European Championships at the higher weight category and won that.

And so everybody that was on the Olympic roster at the Olympic Games was on my rostrum at the European Championships.

Yeah, because I didn't have my diet sorted out, my nutrition was appalling.

It wasn't as readily available as it is now for the nutrition.

And I would say that if anything lost me that final, other than the fact that I was fighting somebody who was terrific, He was an excellent, brilliant athlete.

But it definitely didn't help that my nutrition was not very good.

There's probably a lot that we could say about that particular match.

What were your strengths and weaknesses judo wise in that Olympics?

You said you haven't really lost a match, you won the European Championship leading into it, but if you had weak spots, okay, you already said diet, but specifically on the mat in terms of judo.

I think that none of the fights lasted time going into the final, you know.

So I won fairly quickly and every match by Ippon, you know, way before time.

I won them by throw, a couple of throws for Ippon and then an arm lock for Ippon.

Semi-final was an arm lock against the East German Kruger.

And yeah, just I was flying through, you know.

Uchimata, my favorite kind of Toku was my favorite throws.

And then Juji Katami as well, to you know, which was a Juji Katami roll against an East German who I'd beaten before, but always had a really tough match, but managed to beat him well.

So you had a beautiful exhibition of Japanese-type judo in the first 2 matches.

You threw people, and then you also did the nawaza.

What are the weaknesses going into the final against the Italian?

Like I say, taking nothing away from him as a great athlete and a brilliant judo man, and left, which wasn't good for me.

That was a definite no, because I hated fighting lefties.

But I think as I went through the contest, we had an eight-hour break from the semifinal to the final.

They took us back to the Olympic Village.

Then we had to come back in and then we had to start a warm up again, you know, so I kind of lost my momentum.

I had to start again and I never, I didn't.

I got halfway through, started to rescue a dying match and, you know, I was kind of 1 step, half a step behind all the way through.

And lefties are, we should say, overrepresented in terms of the high ranks of judo.

Well, you know, the thing is about a lefty is a lefty will have more opportunity to fight righties, you know, right-handers, because I mean 70% of the population are right-handers, 30% left, so they get to fight more right-handers.

The thing that they hate is fighting left against left.

Whereas a right-hander will go right against right, you know, but the opposite is awkward for me because just simply I like to go onto the sleeve and then I like to dominate the grips, but the actual angle of the opponent wasn't what I wanted.

So I had to work hard, really hard against it.

And so to lose an Olympic final on a split decision is pretty, you know, it's something that's still on my mind.

And, you know, I think that it's a strange 1 because I can still wake up that 1 and 4 years later at the Olympics because I was silver medalist at the Olympics 4 years later as well.

Do you sometimes wake up and think like, man, I should have eaten better?

Or maybe like a specific grip that you're like, I shouldn't have taken that grip?

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Neil Adams: Judo, Olympics, Winning, Losing, and the Champion Mindset | Lex Fridman Podcast #427