Dear USA Judo,

In 1912 Teddy Roosevelt announced his candidacy for President with the fighting words "My hat is in the ring". I threw my hat in the ring by running for President of USA Judo this year. It was not my intention to pick a fight with the current administration. I ran for this office to serve USA Judo in a position that would make full use of the management skills and education I had acquired in anticipation of the inevitable end of my competitive Judo career.

It is a shame that the rhetoric of political elections can sometimes become personal and lead to bitterness between those who participate. As Judokas we know a better way. We always bow with respect to our opponent after each hard fought match on the mat. We teach our youngest Judokas that our greatest losses come when we give up or fail to step onto the mat. Win or lose the real lesson is that both competitors are trying to help each other improve. I still want to help make! e the state of Judo better in the USA. As a Judoka it would go against everything I have learned to turn my back when I am needed.

I have watched the recent decisions of the USOC with dismay. I'm sure most good Judokas have been wondering what they can do to help. I have thought about this a lot myself. I am willing step out onto the mat by offering my service to Judo once more. USA Judo needs a qualified Executive Director.

The responsibilities of Executive Director of USA Judo include:

Fundraising and Sponsorship

- Membership Services

- All business related activities and operational management duties including Insurance

- Accounting

- Budget Oversight

- Staff Management

- Working closely with USA Judo Executive Committee & Board of Directors

- Liaison to the U.S. Olympic Committee

If you go to the web site set up while I was running for USA Judo President (www.pedroforusajudo.com) you will see that my experience, education and skills meet or exceed these requirements. The most important abilities needed for this position are without question fundraising and sponsorship skills. If we can't raise enough funds, then the other duties of the Executive Director become much more difficult. Obviously Budget Oversight can not be effectively performed without the required funds to meet our budget. I have the best combination of experience and exposure to get the doors open to the sponsors we need.

We must pull together now for the sake of our athletes and USA Judo. I think it would send a strong message for the USOC to see Ron and myself working together under the same banner. In 1912 both President Taft and former President Teddy Roosevelt lost to a third candidate due to continued bitterness. I am offering to serve as the new Executive Director so that USA Judo will be unitedunder strong leadership as we face the challenges ahead.

Yours In Judo,

Jimmy Pedro

Don't forget, about the Emerson Family YMCA Holiday Season EVENING Judo Tournament hosted by Eiko Shepherd and the Kitokan Judo Club. The tournament is scheduled for 7:00 pm on Wednesday December 29th, with weigh ins starting at 5:30 pm. That's right you read it correctly this is a Wednesday evening tournament. What better way to take advantage of all those out of school with nothing to do students just itching for some activity during the school year Holiday break? Full details for this event can be found below. Well that's it for now. But stay tuned new announcements are coming in all the time. Hope to see you on the mat. -Sempai Russ Kirkwood Judo Club

Emerson Family YMCA

Holiday Season EVENING Judo Tournament

Sponsored by Emerson Family YMCA - Kitokan Judo Club

Sanctioned By the United States Judo Federation

Date	December 29, 2004
Location	Emerson Family YMCA 3390 Pershall Road St. Louis, MO 63135 Tel 314-521-1822
Entry Fee	First division: $ 15.00 Second division: $ 10.00) Please make checks payable to Emerson Family YMCA
Eligibility	Participants in the tournament must be current members of USJI, USJF, USJA. USJI, USJF and USJA memberships may purchased at the tournament site. Proof of valid national membership must be presented by all participants – NO EXCEPTIONS.
Procedure: Competition Shiai Match Time IJF Rules with the following modifications	1 Mat area Modified double elimination: in case of very small pools, the tournament directors reserve the right to run ROUND – ROBIN competition. (Match length: 3 minutes for Junior) ( 4 minutes for Senior) Chokes allowed for ages 13 and up. Arm locks allowed on senior divisions only. No arm locks in Junior divisions (16 yrs and under) Tournament Director reserves the right to adjust divisions to ensure fair and safe competition.
Special Division	Back to Back Division For Juniors and Seniors (mat work , newaza only)
Awards	Medals for 1st 2nd and 3rd Places
Weigh in	5:30 to 6:30 PM Competition will start at 7:00PM
Tournament Directors	Jennifer Schlueter (Youth/Adult Sports Director YMCA) Eiko Shepherd, Ben Ott and Richard Bowes Tel (618) 875-2558 H or (618) 781-5157 Fax (618) 875-1617 Fax E-Mail : eiko judo@apci.net
	Thank you for your support.