Lyubov Galabova - IJF 7th dan Judo Coach

A great mentor and teacher throughout my time leading to my Master's graduation in Sport at the NSA University.
Professor Petar Kirov, Ph.D. is a two-time Olympic Gold medalist in wrestling.
There is no other Bulgarian athlete so vividly prominent in teaching and sports.

If you've been following along on this page, of all the places I've visited, most of them have a Japanese theme to them.

Besides becoming enmeshed into Japanese culture through judo at a very young age, I lived in Japan for many years and had two amazing children born there.

Very few places in Japan are as enriched with its history than the Hiroshima Castle. Built in the early 1590's, it saw various uprisings from within.

Considered keeper of "The Last Samurai", as it holds many of the artifacts and military uniforms collected over the last 400 years.

Guardian to the "invasion of the Japanese mainland", the castle was considered the centerpiece of the Atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in August 1945 which ended the Second World War, most of which was destroyed.
However, to the great surprise to the city, the Castle was not as damaged as it was first thought, and eventually, it was rebuilt and many of its artifacts restored and remain there to be viewed by all.

Soon after my return to Bulgaria from Japan, my students chose to have a celebration.
For the special event I was able to change into my kimono, which for women is not used for martial art training, but rather a traditional dress.
While one of my dearest students tried to encourage me to judo play while she was still in her judo gi, my beautiful son, Ryu taro played with my head-dress throughout the picture taking.

In 1870, Jigoro Kano, at the age of ten, (the year after his mother died) he received his father's katana, shortly before the Emperor of Japan outlawed the use of them.

After the creation of judo, Kano added the sword into training through kata.

It's now a part of the many artifacts at the Kodokan.

Shiro Saigo (February 4, 1866 – December, 1922) was one of the earliest disciples of Judo. Saigo, together with Tsunejiro Tomita, became first in history of judo to be awarded Shodan by the founder of judo Jigoro Kano.

"With no disturbance in mind, feel the wonder of nature and without intentional actions, pursue the essence of changes", written by Katsu Kaishu who was inspired by Kata performance of Kano Jigoro Shihan.

Masahiko Tanaka, 8 Dan Karate do, Japan Karate Association, practiced judo at a very young age at the Kodokan for over 10 years.

At his time at the Kodokan he was trained by Kyuzo Mifune and Toshiro Daigo, both of whom earned the extremely rare rank of 10th dan.

Mifune is considered one of the greatest exponents of the art of judo after the founder, Jigoro Kano.

Some of the proudest moments of my lifetime have been to witness a student I've guided through to their own successes.

"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge."

- Albert Einstein

In 1990, I prepared for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

Since this would be the first Olympics in history to allow female judo competitors, the Japanese Judo Master Kentaro Tsujihara, prepared the national judo team including myself for the Barcelona Olympics.

Months before the Olympics began, I was injured, and could not compete.

Archangel Michael is the leader of angels, and the patron saint of soldiers.
At the entrance of Orthodox temples, he is depicted with a sword and scripture, inviting us to enter with a pure heart and thoughts.

"At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people; It shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time."
- Daniel 12:1

It comes with great sadness to announce my long-time friend and mentor, Professor Naoki Murata, 8th dan, has passed away, earlier today.

Born in Saitama Prefecture, Japan in 1949, he was the curator of the Kodokan Judo Museum and Library and has been a judo instructor and Kano lecturer in more than 20 countries.

A prolific writer of essays and several well-researched books on judo, he was considered a high authority on the history of judo.

Truly, a huge loss to the world of judo and its richest history.
Rest in peace.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jBxTrsMzNw