Torin Halsey/Times Record NewsCharlie Robinson uses Zackery Ringwold to illustrate a judo move during class Thursday night at the Bill Bartley YMCA. Robinson is one of very few people that has achieved the level of 8th degree Black Belt in judo
Judo instructor emphasizes respect
By Robert Morgan/Times Record NewsApril 30, 2006
It was in the late 1930's when a 10-year-old Charlie Robinson began training in the martial arts. He wasn't a student at a dojo; instead, he learned from the parents of neighborhood Japanese children.
Robinson grew up in a small and diverse Southern California town. The community was a mix of Japanese, Hispanic and English-speaking children. He recalls the Japanese parents not wanting the other children to learn the Far East fighting techniques, but Robinson did anyhow.
Since those humble beginnings, Robinson, 77, has risen to the rank of 8th degree black belt in the martial arts discipline of Judo. It's a distinction he shares with only about 50 other people worldwide.
The white-haired teacher shared his knowledge with students at the Texoma Judo/JuJitsu Club recently. He spent his time in Wichita Falls teaching children the importance of flexibility in their fighting technique. In the adult class, Robinson displayed his fresh abilities by demonstrating throws on a male student.
His combined experience in the art of Judo is 60 years. In Jujitsu, Robinson has been training for 50 years. During this time, he has learned several things about the martial arts.
In the youth class, he explained the importance of mutual benefit. A class is a group of people supporting each other's talents, so always do what benefits the other person, he preached.
Despite his age, the deceivingly-youthful Robinson still teaches judo to children and adults five times a week at his school in Sacramento. His lessons emphasize the importance of maximum efficiency of body and mind. He defines Judo as a thinking man's form of fighting.
There is no such thing as one technique.
If you're partner says pull harder. Pull harder.
Your techniques will not always work the same way twice. Martial artists need to adapt to different body positions and defensive techniques, he said.
Robinson also lectured on respect. Judo is unlike any other martial arts. It is above trash talking and ego.
He told of Judo competitions where opposing fighters regularly chat following a match. Judo is the only hand-to-hand sport where two competitors are civil after the match.
The opposing fighters will sit down on the same bench and compare strikes. No other martial arts pushes that form of respect.
Respect everyone, he said. Everyone.
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