My first story has officially been seen in print! The Lakota Country Times used my story on the Mission opening South Dakota's first judo club registered with the National Judo Federation. You can read this little gem
here.
The guy I interviewed for the story is David Halmi: judo sensei, Holocaust survivor, Hungarian refugee, Lakota spiritual adviser, retired carpentry teacher, retired fire fighter, and all-around cool dude. He's my exercise instructor three times a week. Yeah, that's right... I'm bulking up!
I have three more stories floating around and I'll keep all y'all posted. I'll post the story below, because non-members might not be able to see the full version on the Web.
St. Francis Judo Club One of a kind in the stateBy: Molly Mullen Times Correspondent
ST. FRANCIS - St. Francis is now the only community in South Dakota with a Judo club registered with the United States Judo Federation and sponsored by the Konan Judo Yudanshaki, a board of black belts.
The St. Francis Mission donated a building formerly used as a childcare. A regulation judo was been installed and it has been transformed from a daycare to a dojo, a traditional place to teach and practice the art of judo.
The Rev. John Hatcher, S.J., said part of the mission’s strategic plan is to address health issues.
“Well obviously exercise is a part of a healthy lifestyle,” Hatcher said, “but kids also need some kind of internal discipline that judo can offer.”
David Halmi is the judo sensei, which means teacher. He registered the dojo with the USJF and became a certified judo teacher in February. He agreed with Hatcher, saying martial arts classes can build students’ physical and mental strength.
“Practicing this art will give them a helpful foundation for the rest of their lives to have self-motivation, proper mind and good physical health,” he said.
Although Halmi intends to implement strict Japanese judo code, he said students will learn about native ideals as well.
“Judo principles are very much in line with Lakota values,” he said. “I emphasize generosity, fortitude, honesty, respect, bravery, benevolence.”
Halmi was an AAU judo competitor for 14 years before he was awarded his black belt in 1978. Former senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, captain of the United States judo team during the Olympics in 1964, coached him.
“Judo teaches the art of self-discipline, and if people can learn that, they could eventually compete,” Halmi said. “All of the participants that come here will have the opportunity to become champions. But it all depends on them, how hard hey work, how well they practice, how well they take instruction.”
Judo is a Japanese martial art dating back to 1882. Translated to “the gentle way,” judo practices flexibility, balance, leverage and skill rather than blunt force.
Halmi started talking with Hatcher over a year ago about having a space to exercise and teach judo. Halmi, a former teacher at Sinte Gleska University and the St. Francis Indian School, said some of his former students knew about his experience with judo, and asked if would consider training students.
Mike Shields Him, security officer for Rosebud Hospital, started learning some judo from Halmi when he was a student at SFIS, and said he is thrilled that Halmi is officially teaching classes. He took carpentry classes from Halmi, and said when he finished an assignment Halmi would show him a new judo move.
After high school, he continued to practice martial arts while in the Air Force and now competes in Rapid City in the art of jujitsu. Other than teaching self-defence, he said judo offers friendship.
“Halmi was the first person who taught me that martial arts are about friendship because you have to trust the person you are fighting,” Shields Him said. “It takes a lot of trust to let someone take you down and know he won’t really hurt you.”
He has kept up with martial arts for over ten years, and said it’s something he wants to be able to pass to his children.
“In Lakota culture they say you need to pass what you know on to the younger generation, so I thought I should know something about being a warrior,” he said. “Judo can help you embrace your own culture.”
Halmi seeks to train six juniors (younger than 18) and six seniors. He requires regular attendance for at least six months and dues to be paid before students compete.
This is the first time in his many years in judo that he will be an instructor rather than a student and competitor. He said one major difference between the two is that he now must “walk his talk.”
“I have to set an example, and I am now responsible for the well-being of my students,” he said.
Larry Farmer plans to register his 7-year old son, Justice, for Halmi’s judo classes.
“He’s got a lot of energy, and the activity will be great for him plus the more discipline he can get, the better,” Farmer said. “Kids are losing values, and if Dave (Halmi) can get this going, and the more stuff like this, it can better our community.”
Farmer was a fire fighter with Halmi for 20 years and said he respects him as a teacher and knows he can teach Justice a good way.
“It’s important for my son to learn judo, especially with all this gang stuff going on,” he said. “I want him to be able to protect himself, but I want him to learn not to be a bully, to be responsible.”
Other than teaching judo, Halmi is also using the building for exercise classes Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 3 p.m.
If interested in exercise or judo classes, call David Halmi at 747-2036 or 828-2766.
