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Friday
March 19, 2010 Since 1922 |
Judo pro takes down foes, builds up kids
By Barrett Goldsmith
Baytown Sun Published July 17, 2007 Hundreds are watching and cheering, but all is quiet. You prepare for months and go over the match in your head for days — then it’s over in three to six seconds.
This is what thrills Charles “Chuck” Wood, and it’s what makes him a force to be reckoned with despite his thin build and unassuming appearance. Wood can toss a man twice his size clear across a room. He can take anyone down in seconds without throwing a punch. He’s also great with kids and a professional drafter.
Wood, 44, is a master of judo, the martial art of takedowns and throws, and he’s also an instructor at the Lone Star Kids’ Gym in Highlands, 211 S. Main St. He was recently inducted into the Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame, and his resume includes an NCAA judo championship and work with the U.S. Olympic judo team in 1981.
“It’s pretty cool to be able to take people down without using any real muscle,” Woods said. “You learn where the off-balance points are. You learn where to grab them.”
Woods has leveraged his abilities to do more than throw weight around in the competitive arena. He is a certified bodyguard, a former field agent with the National Security Alliance. He has served as personal security detail for the wealthy and even the famous, including former Houston Rocket Sam Cassell and current franchise co-anchor Tracy McGrady.
“It’s mostly just bump-and-run, getting them out of the place quick if it looks like there might be trouble,” Woods said. “You meet some interesting people. And of course people think it’s pretty cool when you tell them what you do.”
What Woods does now is pretty cool in its own right. In addition to competing, Woods gets to work with young people at his gym, where he teaches judo, tumbling and karate.
“It teaches them discipline and gives them confidence,” Woods said. “And of course they can tumble around and throw each other, which is fun. The main thing is keeping them healthy. It’s a great way for them to get some exercise.”
The kids themselves all seem to enjoy it — tumbling is the universal favorite, though they like the martial arts as well. Krystal McDowell, 10, said she likes getting to show up the boys.
“It’s pretty fun, but I’m a tomboy, so I’m used to it,” McDowell said. “Some of the girls here act all girly, but that’s not what I’m here for.”
For more information on the gym, call 281-426-7121 or visit ww.judgogym.com.
Baytown Sun Published July 17, 2007 Hundreds are watching and cheering, but all is quiet. You prepare for months and go over the match in your head for days — then it’s over in three to six seconds.
This is what thrills Charles “Chuck” Wood, and it’s what makes him a force to be reckoned with despite his thin build and unassuming appearance. Wood can toss a man twice his size clear across a room. He can take anyone down in seconds without throwing a punch. He’s also great with kids and a professional drafter.
Wood, 44, is a master of judo, the martial art of takedowns and throws, and he’s also an instructor at the Lone Star Kids’ Gym in Highlands, 211 S. Main St. He was recently inducted into the Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame, and his resume includes an NCAA judo championship and work with the U.S. Olympic judo team in 1981.
“It’s pretty cool to be able to take people down without using any real muscle,” Woods said. “You learn where the off-balance points are. You learn where to grab them.”
Woods has leveraged his abilities to do more than throw weight around in the competitive arena. He is a certified bodyguard, a former field agent with the National Security Alliance. He has served as personal security detail for the wealthy and even the famous, including former Houston Rocket Sam Cassell and current franchise co-anchor Tracy McGrady.
“It’s mostly just bump-and-run, getting them out of the place quick if it looks like there might be trouble,” Woods said. “You meet some interesting people. And of course people think it’s pretty cool when you tell them what you do.”
What Woods does now is pretty cool in its own right. In addition to competing, Woods gets to work with young people at his gym, where he teaches judo, tumbling and karate.
“It teaches them discipline and gives them confidence,” Woods said. “And of course they can tumble around and throw each other, which is fun. The main thing is keeping them healthy. It’s a great way for them to get some exercise.”
The kids themselves all seem to enjoy it — tumbling is the universal favorite, though they like the martial arts as well. Krystal McDowell, 10, said she likes getting to show up the boys.
“It’s pretty fun, but I’m a tomboy, so I’m used to it,” McDowell said. “Some of the girls here act all girly, but that’s not what I’m here for.”
For more information on the gym, call 281-426-7121 or visit ww.judgogym.com.