- Packing
- Pack your gi and other things before you go to bed the night before the tournament
- all you have to do in the morning is double check your things.
- Gi (if you're planning to wear blue, bring your white gi just in case - some tournaments will not let two blue competitors fight in the same match)
- Jacket, pants, & belt
- TEAM HOODY or t-shirt
- USJI card
- pads
- tape
- plain white t-shirt (females)
- brush and hair ties to put up long hair
- nail clippers (just in case)
- clothes to change into after
- money for fees and lunch/dinner (if you're a team member, you may still have to pay your entry fees and be reimbursed later)
- Get plenty of sleep
- Drink plenty of water and... eat!
- Try not to wait until after weigh-ins to eat. Since a bowl of cereal (*not* the sugary kind) weighs less than a pound, it won't affect your weight.
- Suggested food items:
- Cereal (corn flakes, Kix)
- Bananas
- Apples
- Gatorade (watered down)
- If you're going out to eat, choose foods that are not heavy (greasy or sugary) and eat just until you're full, not stuffed (no carbonated beverages or shakes)
- Subway is a good option.
- If you have to wait awhile before you fight, munch on some fruit or try Hi-C fruit snacks (one package eaten slowly) to help maintain blood sugar levels.
- Same club name
- If you're hoping for that team trophy, it might be helpful if all your points went to the same team.
- "West Georgia Judo" or "West GA Judo"
- Judo Insurance
- if you're a first time competitor (or yours is expired), you'll have to buy Judo insurance (USJI). The cost is $50 and you can purchase it at the tournament (usually) or online. You can print your card yourself once you have paid for your membership.
- Stretching
- During the break between junior and senior competitions, get stretched out and warmed up.
- You will more than likely have to wait awhile before your division starts to try to keep moving and stay warm. Keep your team hoody on under your gi jacket.
- RELAX
- Listen to music, whatever helps you relax or gets you pumped.