Awaken the Earthquake- An interview with Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach and competitor Sean Davitt, by Junior Ambassador Evan "The Earthquake" Stojanov

Today's blog interview has been carried out by Junior ambassador Evan "The Earthquake"Stojanov.

Evan is a superstar of the autistic spectrum who is thriving through the martial art Judo. Evan trains with Williamsburg Judo in VA, USA under the instruction of Pete Mantel who has struck up an amazing friendship with Evan. 

                                                                                                                     

Evan has also been assisting Fighting For Autism in raising autism awareness and our fight for acceptance and inclusion by highlighting positive stories from the autistic spectrum and inspiring others to try something new, maintain a healthy lifestyle and make long lasting friendships. Evan has been training with Williamsburg Judo for nearly 3 years and his moniker "The Earthquake" comes from Evan's other passion and that is seismology - the study of earthquakes.

What is Judo?

Judo  (柔道) is a Japanese martial art that derives from traditional Ju Jitsu, created by Jigoro Kano in 1882,  Judo became a recognised sport 1910 and was adopted as a part of Japan’s educational system the following year, in 1964 Judo became an Olympic sport. 

Judo objectives are to either throw or take down an opponent to the ground, immobilise or otherwise subdue an opponent with a pin, or force an opponent to submit with a joint lock or a choke.                Judo translated means "Gentle Way",  Judo is an activity undertaken worldwide and  has millions of practitioners (Judoka),  famous Judoka include Ronda Rousey, Kayla Harrison, Chuck Norris, Theodore Rooselvelt, Vladimir Putin and so many more.                                                                                                                          

Evan with some of the Team USA Judo Squad

Autism and Judo

Over recent years numerous studies have carried out and highlighted the positive outcomes for those on the autistic spectrum who have trained in a martial art.

Please see below a link to a study carried out by University College Florida 

https://www.ucf.edu/news/ucf-study-judo-may-help-health-social-interaction-of-children-diagnosed-with-autism-spectrum-disorder/

               Evan with his Fighting For Autism Patch that will placed on his Judogi (uniform)

Evan was asked if he would like to interview a martial artist, with little hesitation he chose to interview Judoka and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner and coach Sean Davitt.                                                        Sean is also a Fighting For Autism Coach Ambassador.

Sean who is based in Wexford, Ireland is an accomplished competitor and coach both in Judo and  Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Sean along with James Mulroy of Judo Assist Ireland also dedicate their time and expertise to the promotion of and development of inclusive Judo both nationally and internationally, Judo Assist have worked tirelessly in seeing children and adults with additional needs  become involved in Judo, helping them to get fit, make friends and importantly have fun. 

                                         Sean performing a judo technique on an opponent. 
 

Sean Davitt is Interviewed by Evan "The Earthquake" Stojanov

                                                                                                                                                          

Evan asks.

Who is the best fighter with autism you have trained?

Sean- " I have trained many many competitors with autism, not everyone who trains Judo or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu wants to be a fighter, so I train people to be their best selves. Anyone who gives their all on the mats is a champion to me".  

Evan asks.

How much Jiu Jitsu and Judo should I practice each week?

Sean- " I would say that it depends on how much is available to you, when i first started I was training twice a week, at one point I I trained eleven sessions a week. Now I train two to three times a week, I suggest that you try to train two to three times a week if you can, remember there are more things to enjoy in life than martial arts, but its a great place to start".

Evan asks.

What do you think I should practice most?  

Sean- " I would suggest practising the basics. without a solid foundation you can't master the more advanced techniques, I dedicate a lot of my own training to the basic movements and transitions both standing and on the mats". 

Evan asks.

What is the best exercise for Judo?

Sean- " I suggest the best exercise for Judo is simply doing Judo. This could be working on footwork, practising the techniques in your mind or on the mat, its all awesome and will help you massively".

Evan asks.

What is your favourite throw and pin? 

Sean- "Throw : Harai Goshi or Ura Nage                                                                                                                   Pin : Kese Gatame or Kata Gatame".

Evan asks.

What throw is best for tall people?

Sean- " I would suggest Osoto-Gari , Uchi-Mata, Sumi Go or Ko-Soto-Gari".

And finally Sean wanted to pass on a message to Evan..........

We would like to thank both Evan and Sean for an amazing interview.

if you would like ot share a positive story from the spectrum please get in touch we can be found on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter or our website www.fightingforautismeurope.org 

Fighting With Autism- Shining Through the The Spectrum with Judo and Jiu Jitsu. Maximus Jolly

 

 

Today's Fighting For Autism Blog, is  brought to you by a remarkable young gentleman from Tampa in the USA, his name is Maximus "Prime" Jolly

Max is one of Fighting For Autism's Junior Ambassadors and is an inspiring character not only raising Autism Awareness on the mats, but proving that a diagnosis of Autism does not define you as a person, this gentleman's story of hard work and determination to smash down stereotypes and shine through the spectrum is truly amazing.

 

Maximus Jolly, is a 14 year old who trains and competes in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Judo, Kickboxing, and Wrestling. It is BJJ that is his passion and what transformed his life. Max was diagnosed with Autism at age 2. He did not speak until age 3. He has been bullied, and called “weirdo” and “crack head”.  On one occasion, peers threw balls at him as hard as they could. At the time, he thought they were playing with him, laughing with him. They weren’t. 

Max struggles to overcome the challenges Autism brings which can be invisible to most people. Autism is a diagnosis. He is not a diagnosis. Maximus Jolly is the 2016 FFBJJ State Champion. He is a dedicated mixed martial artist who trains 6 days every week. He runs/swims about 20 miles every week. He has a passion to compete at the highest level.

Max is no longer bullied. He has made a choice to take action and has chosen to speak out about something he is uncomfortable with in order to help others with autism know they can be whoever they want to be by making a decision to break through their barrier as Max has. The fight is not over. Training at Gracie Tampa and Gracie Tampa Judo has transformed the way he views the world and people living in it. He has the honor of training under one of Royce Gracie’s 1st black belts – Prof. Rob Kahn and the 2015 USA Judo coach of the year – Sensei David Cainas.

 

 

Everyone has challenges. Max’s happens to be a diagnosis of Autism that comes with various learning, communication, and social barriers. He was told that if he works hard, he could be whoever he wants to be. Honor, respect, humility, and work ethic are things Max learns from mom and dad and they are reinforced on the mats by his coaches and mentors. Maximus is a fighter and he is proud to be Fighting for Autism.