Too late for the Olympics?

Question

Being an athlete is sort of in my family. Many are national champions or olympians (some from my original country). I wanna be like them. The bar has been set high. I'm 16 and what I excel in is Martial arts. My whole life I've wanted to do martial arts but I started at 12 and got my black belt a few months ago at 15. I practice tang soo do (I know it's not an Olympic sport) many people tell me I'm good and I'm very dedicated I've won multiple medals and trophies (1st and 2nd) it's not a martial arts I wanted it's what was available.

What I really love is judo, you could say love at first sight but I don't think it works with sports (or martial arts, I know many people don't like calling MA a sport) yes I like falling, I find it fun and exhilarating. In my class we do many throws and sweeps. I took a jiu jitsu seminar once, it's not the same but it's something. I really want to be in the olympics I'd do anything.

If I work really hard, excel in the art, dedicate myself, etc could I make it? Am I too old to do so? Please, any advice would help.

Answer 1

I have trained Judo with several national and international level players. This question had been brought up once by one of these veterans I have had the privilege of training with by the name of Steve Seck, who won a place in the 1980 Moscow Olympics (did not participate due to boycott). He said there is a chance to get into Olympic Judo as long as you got into the sport before 21. Age wise, you're still very young so the potential is still strong.



You also have to remember that the Olympic level is no cakewalk. You have to focus on even getting into the top of your own region, let alone the country. The Judokas in that level of competition train in Judo as if it's their full time job, and you would have to do the same. The biggest issue is not going to be just your age or determination, but are you going to have the economical, family, and social support that you need to go all the way through?



Edit:

The Olympics isn't the end all be all in the world of Judo. There are elite level tournaments that you can enter even within the brown belt divisions (which you should be getting into if you intend on going for the Olympics). There are many other international tournaments that are high recognized by Judokas, such as the World Judo Championship and the Pan American Judo Championships to name two. Getting into these tournaments are not a walk in the park either.





Added with more "inspirational" note:

Yoko Tanabe was a Japanese female Judoka who played in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic, 1996 Atlanta Olympic (She won silver in both Olympics), and has 5 world championship medals. She started Judo at age 18. She was older than you. She got into her first Olympic 6 years later.

Answer 2

Soory but you got your black belt in 3 years? You felt in a Mc dojo... For a black belt you need minimum by any martial art of 5-7 years if not more....get to a new dojo because there you will learn the real martial art. Your black belt dosen't mean nothing. And also you can't get your black belt under 16. Sorry that I'm so hard but that's the truth.



And for judo your not to old just work hard and be careful how qouick you get a belt...



Good luck

Answer 3

Im not sure what ur asking, is it to late to go for the next winter olympics? doubt it i dont think qualifiers happened yet. Or did you mean did you start training at a young enough age? There are olympic stories of american volleyball players playing basketball to the age of 19 and switching to volleyball and going to the olympics 3 years later. and of people not starting their sport till they are 15 or 16. So no I dont think its to late.