Comments on: Teddy Roosevelt; 26th President & Jiu Jitsu/Judo Brown Belt?

By: TurtleShroom

TurtleShroom — Wed, 05 May 2010 19:15:47 +0000

This is an excellent and informative article. I like your opinions and views on martial arts.

While I myself have never even considered taking or involving myself in martial arts, I have a close friend who is working on his third-degree black belt, and a six-year old cousin who is also partaking in karate classes (interestingly, the same martial arts studio as my friend). I’m sure that my friend would enjoy your writings even more than me.

When people talk about the sheer epicness of Teddy Roosevelt, they often forget his political side, which was also epic. He was a no-mercy man in economics, too, smashing up monopolies like they were windows or his enemies.
.-= TurtleShroom´s last blog ..Dystopian: The Musical! Part Deux! =-.

By: John W. Zimmer

John W. Zimmer — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:34:22 +0000

Hi Robert, Truer word were never spoken. This is the basis for all fighting.

By: Robert H Layman

Robert H Layman — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:39:22 +0000

For every strength there is a weakness, what is important is to recognize your opponent’s weakness and then exploit it.

By: Neal Martin

Neal Martin — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:06:14 +0000

I agree. The greatest attribute a martial artist can have is an open mind and a willingness to accept and learn new techniques.

By: John W. Zimmer

John W. Zimmer — Sun, 31 May 2009 20:08:39 +0000

Hey Neal, that is the beauty of most martial arts, if one has more skill, he or she can negate a weight/power advantage of an opponent. I liked that Mr. Roosevelt had an open mind (as many fighters do) about learning new techniques.

By: Neal Martin

Neal Martin — Sun, 31 May 2009 15:07:49 +0000

I found that interesting, what Mr. Roosevelt had to say in that letter about the westerner’s overpowering the Japanese fighters. Ju Jitsu men will tell you that technique is everything, that superiour technique will defeat any man, despite their size. This isn’t always the case. Being a Ju Jitsu man myself I have to testify to the fact that I sometimes struggle to apply technique to bigger guys. Strength and power will usually win out in the end, especially if the skill levels of both fighters are the same. The stronger guy will always have the edge.

Technique will only win over bigger opponents if the skill levels are unmatched. If the skill levels are matched, then the strongest will win.