Chuck Jefferson knows judo is a hard sell in the US, but he won't let that stop him from pursuing his dreams.
"Sometimes people in the States ask me to show them a [karate] chop," Jefferson said in Osaka, where he is competing in his first judo world championships. "I have to tell them that's not what we're all about."
Jefferson lost to Georgia's David Kevkhisvili in Saturday's under-73kg class qualifying round, but still has a good shot at representing his country at the Athens Olympics next year.
It's been a long haul for the 27-year-old native of Barstow, California. Funding for judo in the US is limited and he supports his career by working in a martial arts store in San Jose.
Jefferson first got involved in judo at a young age. The local karate school wasn't accepting 5-year-olds so his mother took him to a nearby judo school and he's been involved in the sport ever since.
"I played other sports like baseball and soccer growing up," said Jefferson. "But I preferred judo because whether you win or lose is completely up to you. In team sports you can have a great day and still lose."
To hone his craft, Jefferson makes regular trips to Japan and trains at Tokai University, the home of world champion Kosei Inoue, who is considered by many to be the No.1 judo practitioner, otherwise known as judoka, in the world today.
In Japan, Jefferson sees a totally different attitude toward judo.
"The level of dedication to the sport here is pretty amazing," he said. "And I think that's why the Japanese are the best in the world."
To improve the level of judo in the States, Jefferson would like to see the sport introduced to physical education programs at high schools and universities.
"That's the way it is here," added Jefferson. "I think if we could get judo in the school system we would be more competitive as a nation, but as it stands now, we lose a lot of good people to wrestling once they enter high school."
Jefferson thinks students could benefit from judo on more than just a physical level.
"One of the great attractions of judo is that it teaches respect," said Jefferson. "You always bow to your opponent and never show him up when celebrating a win. You don't see a lot of that in other sports these days."
For the immediate future, Jefferson is focused on getting to Athens.
"My weight class is very competitive so it will be tough," said Jefferson, who trains five nights a week in San Jose.
The US Olympic trials will be held next June. Before that, Jefferson will compete in the Oct.12-13 US Open in Las Vegas.
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