A Family Affair:
Judo Families: The Wrights
Arthur Wright first participated in judo as a teenager. After stepping away from the sport for a while, he picked it up again in his late 20s, shortly before his second child, Kyle, was born.
When Kyle was seven, he was introduced to judo. His older sister, Chantal, started in the sport two years later, when she took a summer course at age 12. Their little brother, Liam, who was always watching them, was only five when he first took to the mat.
Today, the three Wright siblings – Chantal, 25, Kyle, 21, and Liam, 18 – are accomplished members of USA Judo.
“We still are constantly learning,“ said Chantal. “The more we get out there, the more we learn.”
Their father agrees, pointing out that in his family every time the judo athletes see something new, they want to try it.
“Judo keeps us together,” Kyle reported. “The way we support each other and work out together every day.”
Liam describes the trio as very competitive. “We push each other,” he admitted.
“As a parent, we get to share what the kids are doing,” Arthur stated. “It’s good, quality time.”
Gaby, the Wright family matriarch, has never done judo herself, but has a deep understanding of the sport. According to Arthur, his wife is the person all the other parents go to when they have questions.
“In judo, you are not punching or kicking, but learning how to fall properly,” she said, pointing out that this has helped to spare her children from injury. “You also learn time management,” she added, so they have been able to structure their days to accommodate school and sport.
Gaby also credits judo with helping develop social skills, explaining, “On the mat, they are on their own when competing, but they have to train with other people.”
“Judo helps you not just physically, but also mentally,” Kyle stated. “You can still be friends with people you compete against.”
Arthur cites learning self-control as a big benefit of the sport, pointing out that the ability to regulate your temper and restrain anger is important in everyday life.
“Judo is not just a sport, it’s a lifestyle” - Chantal Wright
“Judo is not just a sport, it’s a lifestyle,” Chantal admitted. “You can incorporate it so many ways into your life and utilize all the lessons you learn.”
Chantal, Kyle and Liam, who moved to Texas in 2013, started participating in judo while living in Switzerland. They describe their style as very European.
Explaining the differences in the sport based on geographic locales, Chantal said that Japan is very technical, the Russians and Eastern Bloc are very strong, and the USA, where many judo athletes have a wrestling background, is eclectic.
When it comes to competition, Chantal said it is important to emphasize your strength and bring your style to the mat.
“You want them to adjust to your style; you don’t want them to use their own,” she stated.
According to Arthur, that can be a big challenge for American athletes, especially for kids coming up who don’t get much international experience.
“USA Judo is working to improve that,” he pointed out, by having young people like Liam compete overseas.
Looking toward the future, the Wrights want more people to know about their sport and its benefits. Arthur believes that it is important to make sure that available classes cater to recreational as well as competitive judo athletes – hence the importance of the Judo in Schools Program.
“If the program is not balanced, you lose some of the community,” he said.
“No matter where you go, doors are always open to you,” asserts Gaby. “You can go to any dojo on the planet and the etiquette is still the same. It’s always very open and welcoming.”