Manuel García Pizarro, a prominent figure in Spanish judo with over 45 years of experience, including a World Kata Championship runner-up title and three European Championship wins, recently visited Gran Canaria to conduct a course. During his stay, Pizarro was able to assess the state of the discipline on the island firsthand.
The Master, who holds an 8th Dan and has been Spanish Champion 15 times, agreed with the prior assessment by Japanese Master Yoriyuki Yamamoto. Pizarro emphasized not only the observed technical proficiency but also the exceptional human quality of the Canarian judokas, calling them "extraordinary people."
“"I fully agree with Master Yamamoto's assessment. During my stay for this course, I was able to witness firsthand the excellent technical level of judo in Gran Canaria, but above all, I was impressed by the human quality of its practitioners; they are extraordinary people."
García Pizarro expressed his pride in the effort and consistency shown by the course participants in absorbing the knowledge imparted. He noted that their dedication and passion for the martial art are evident among the island's judokas.
Regarding the kata and 7th and 8th Dan grading course, the Master described the experience as "extremely enriching." Despite the demanding physical and mental load of the sessions, the participating masters showed "absolute" interest, demonstrating a strong desire to learn and improve, even spontaneously asking about katas not part of the official program.
For beginners, especially children, García Pizarro encouraged them to look beyond the immediate goal of achieving a black belt. He invited them to fully immerse themselves in the sport to discover that judo is "much more than a physical discipline or a competition: it is a true way of life." He highlighted the values it fosters, such as respect, education, camaraderie, and courtesy, which are fundamental in shaping not only athletes but also "people."
