On
February 21, 2008 was a historic moment for all youth athletes all across the globe as well as for Singapore.
The
2010 Youth Olympic Games -
Y.O.G. was handed to Singapore beating out Russia for the bid and being the first Youth Olympic Games ever.
I have been appointed on the Singapore Wrestling Federation as Vice-President.
Congratulations Singapore!
2010 Youth Olympic GamesIn 2006 I approached the Singapore Sports Council about promoting the sport of Wrestling.
Of course, since there is no team here in Singapore I can tell you in great length that this was going to be a difficult hill to climb.
When most people think of wrestling they will think of the usual such as men in tights, sweaty bodies or WWE.
I can understand the narrow thinking because of the lack of knowledge with the oldest sport in the world. Who's to blame?
To cut to the chase, with Singapore holding the first ever
2010 Youth Olympic Games...
Wrestling (Greco-Roman & Freestyle) will be recognised by the Singapore Sports Council, therefore, a team has been appointed to start up the
Singapore Wrestling Federation - S.W.F.We have been under the gun as the wrestling has been announced as a new National Sports Association in Singapore.
link:
http://sg-youth-olympic-games.blogspot.com/search/label/YOG%20WrestlingThe wrestling journey continues...

The Suplay - Greco-Roman & Freestyle technique
Thanks to Wrestling!My career started at Monterey High School in California. Prior to this, I was a troubled youth... got into a lot of fights and suspended and kicked out of school. This was probably the most difficult time in my adolescent. Trying to find my own identity amongst my peers. I grew up on a military base where there were only a few asians surrounded by the black, white and brown.
It was constant name calling (I means lots) about my Asian heritage, therefore, I had to step up to the plate and defend...
Yup! Knuckle up and Fight!For all y'all who grew up in da hood! When y'all stand up fo' yo'self eventually you git respect to da full! Just don't be a punk and mouth off like you iz all that, otherwise, you will mos' def' git knocked outtt!Anyway, to cut another story short, Wrestling in high school gave me a focus from straying on the streets in my hood... Seaside. Believe me at that age, chasing girls and hangin' with your homeboys was fun!
My Career
During my sophomore year (age 15) I was just starting to get a a handle at wrestling with enough losses to get me wanting to learn more moves to beat my opponent. I can remember training very hard during the season as well as running more than I ever did. I always had my Sony Walkman/cassette listening to the
Theme for Rocky and
Going The Distance (bells chiming in my ears to run faster and faster) and wrestled for a club after the season and continued to wrestle in tournaments throughout Northern California.
I guess the hard work payed off. (even drinking six raw eggs before a tournament-Big Mistake! My stomache started to churn and burn... Yikes!)

I placed
California State 3rd place winner in Greco-Roman at 132 pounds which earned me a spot to compete in
U.S.W.F. Jr National Wrestling Tourney at Iowa University in 1981.
What memories... California's best wrestlers in Freestyle and Greco-Roman training at San Jose State University for 3 days of double sessions and then a 42 hour non-stop Greyhound bus ride all the way to Iowa crossing through Utah, Nebraska, Wyoming and Iowa.
I can say I did not place and lasted for only 2 rounds of competition. My last match was to John Giura of Illinois who later became an NCAA-All American and a 1988 U.S. Olympic qualifier.
I was no stranger to National Tounaments in the U.S.
When I was 12 years old I competed in my first Judo Nationals held in San Francisco with the nations best and Puerto Rico and lasted the 2nd day of the tourney without placing.
The following year, I became the
13 year old U.S. Jr Judo National Champion which was held at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.
(The best part was getting on the winner's podium and receiving my trophy and calling my parent's collect and telling them the news... my parents couldn't believe it... they drove to San Francisco International Airport from Monterey as proud parents to pick me up)At 14... the tourney was held in Kent, Washington. That year I placed 5th in the nation (It was the first time ever beating the former National Champion/Pan American Champion Richard Moss).
I started judo at the age of 6 years old and won my 1st tourney at Albany High School in Berkeley, California.

Mits Kimura of the San Francisco Judo Institute handing me my 1st gold medal.
I have always had a love for judo and wrestling.
In 1987 I had my first coaching job at San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara, California.
We had some pretty good wrestlers and one of them went to the California State Championship in his Senior year.
I also coached at University High School in West Los Angeles in 2000.
Sung Kang (
AliveNotDead Member) even came down to wrestle with the kids. This was a few months afer he had his ribs cracked from grappling a 200 pound something South American dude in his Jiu-jitsu class. Sung is strong and quick... so don't mess with him as he is also a bit crazy underneath that stoic persona.
Trivia: If I recall at a 165 pound weight class:
Charles Liddell... Can you spot him?
From the left: Me! From the 3rd right: Chuck Liddell
NOW: UFC CHAMPION CHUCK LIDDELL

Chuck was dedicated to wrestling and at the time he was heavily into martial arts even then.
Anyway, wrestling has been growing sport because of Mixed Martial Arts and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.
Wrestling can be helpful in self defense... as all fights usually end up on the ground and thats where one can have the advantage.
My goal in Singapore is to promote wrestling and cultivate wrestling talent for the future competitions such as the Olympics, SEA Games and other tourneys across the globe.
In Asia, China, Japan, Korea, Phillipines, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia and Kazakhstan already have competitors.
Wrestling can be introduced to troubled youths to give focus on discipline, character building and self esteem.
Support Wrestling as it is one of the toughest sports pound for pound. No pain no gain.
Sincerely,
Jimmy T
P.S.
Daniel I read your blog and I admit during your time as a kid the wrestling tights were pretty skimpier back in the day but it is getting better. Lol.
Just look at the B-ball shorts back in the 80's. D-Wade is always cappin' on Barkley about his shorts.
Peace.