Thomas golden again

Thomas golden again

By Emanuel Lee, Daily Journal Staff
When incoming Aragon High senior Wes Thomas won the U.S.A. Judo Junior Olympic championship in the 81-kilogram (179 pound) division two weeks ago in San Jose, he knew his friends on San Jose State’s club team would have something special in store for him the next day in practice.
Unfortunately for Thomas, he didn’t think it would involve so much pain.
“They beat the crap out of me all the time, especially since I won nationals,” said Thomas, who trains five days a week with San Jose State, a squad comprised of a world champion, a couple of multiple national championship winners and a number of athletes training to make the Olympic team in 2008 and beyond. “They’ll go out harder to make sure I don’t get a big head.
“I’m nothing compared to these guys. They’re older, more experienced, stronger and have all won junior national championships when they were my age. I don’t think I’m great, but I felt pretty cool winning nationals. Less than 24 hours later, they manhandled me. I got guys choking me and throwing me all over the place. All my glory was gone in a couple of seconds.”
Talk about some tough love. Thomas, 17, wouldn’t have it any other way. He knows in order to one day achieve his goal of making the Olympic team, he’ll have to endure the constant pain and suffering inherent in the sport.
“Judo is a dangerous sport,” Thomas said. “One way to win in judo is to break a guy’s arm. You see a lot of arm and shoulder injuries, and a lot of broken fingers. It’s definitely not safe. I would say it’s as dangerous as football. Injuries are always a factor.”
In the U.S., there are three national judo organizations, and each hosts its own championship. Last year, Thomas won his first national championship in the U.S. Judo Association, and two weeks ago he captured the title that is a part of the U.S. Judo Federation. Having captured two legs of the triple crown, the only thing missing from Thomas’ resume is the U.S. Judo Institute title.
Two weeks ago, Thomas went 4-0, winning the championship by throwing Anthony Phelps with a taio toshi five seconds into the match. Thomas’ toughest match was in the semifinals, which lasted the full five minutes. Trailing in the latter stages, Thomas made his move by flipping his opponent for a couple of points, then burning the clock to hang on for the win.
Since a number of his friends, family members and coaches were in attendance, Thomas desperately wanted to win in his hometown area.
“It was a relief,” he said. “All the national titles are prestigious, and it was important for me to win in front of the people I know.”
Thomas earned the tournament’s best technique award, a prestigious honor in a technically-sound sport.
“Technique will win over strength every time,” he said. “The way to get good at it is practice, practice, practice. I’m fortunate enough to train with the guys at San Jose State and learn from the best.”
Thomas took up the sport at 7, when he stopped by his neighborhood recreation center with five friends to take a judo class. After a couple of months, Thomas was the last person standing.
“I loved the sport from the start,” he said. “I like the roughhousing. I used to wrestle my dad when I was younger, and I always wanted to be a ninja guy and a fighter.”
Thomas has earned a No. 2 national ranking in his weight class by combining strength, discipline and a tremendous work ethic. Still, he said he needs to improve in a number of areas if he wants to make an Olympic team in the future.
“I’ve been told by various people that I have a shot (to make the Olympics),” Thomas said. “If I continue to do judo past high school, I’m looking at 2012, because 2008 would definitely be too soon. I have to get a little bigger, stronger, more experienced and add more throws. I haven’t fought much internationally, and that’s another thing I’m looking to do in the next few years.”
Before the day of a competition, Thomas is a wreck. He’s on edge, jittery and constantly thinking about his match. In order to calm his emotions, he rents a couple of movies.
“You can start psyching yourself out before the match, so I try to keep my mind off the tournament,” he said.
Once Thomas steps on the mat, he’s a picture of focus and determination.
Emanuel Lee can be reached by e-mail: emanuel@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 109. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.