The Bowling Green Kentucky Judo Club will host the 2013 O. J. Helvey Kentucky State Judo Championship. Judo clubs from across Kentucky will compete in the state Judo tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at Hillvue Heights Church. The tournament will begin at 12:00 noon. Clint Brizendine, Michael Elliott, Bobby McDaniel and Donny Wallace, instructors for the local Judo Club, have been named tournament directors.
Clint Brizendine, a third degree Black Belt in Judo, is a former Judo instructor for the Western Kentucky University Judo Club prior to the formation of the current Bowling Green Kentucky Judo Club. Mr. Brizendine says “I am grateful to the Kentucky Judo Council for allowing our club to host the 2013 State Judo Championship. This will be a unique opportunity for the community to see sport Judo and to observe excellent Judo competition. I invite the community to come out and support our club on the day of the tournament.”
Mr. Brizendine further comments “Judo is a sport originating in Japan. Judo players combine techniques of throwing, grappling, chokes and joint locks in an effort to demonstrate superiority over their opponents. Judo has been taught in Bowling Green since 1965 when Judo teams were formed at WKU and Bowling Green High School.