The art of judo
WHEN the world gets too noisy and unbearable, Jemima Daveta turns to the art of judo for physical and mental clarity.
Loosely translated, judo means ‘gentle way’, a form of unarmed modern Japanese martial art that not many Fijians know about.
Jemima’s involvement in the sport of judo has enabled her to travel and participate in overseas tourneys like the Pacific Games.
While she counts herself as ‘not sporty’, her achievements show that anything is possible when one has passion and will.
The 24-year-old had an ordinary upbringing growing up as the youngest of four siblings.
She said her involvement in the sport began during her early high school years.
In those days, Jemima used to play basketball. She briefly took up taekwondo with her brother in primary school but that was affected when their sensei moved back to Japan.
The ‘go-getter’ has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and official statistics. Her post-graduate endeavour is in the field of development studies.
From working during her college days for side money, bartending, interning at the American Embassy to now working as a graduate support staff for PKF Aliz Pacific while also being the secretary for Women in Business and Fiji Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jemima has become a flowering plant spreading her petals.
“I’m a person who will not look at my challenges so much because I believe there’s always somebody out there that’s doing far worse than I am,” she said.
Jemima started Judo in 2017 after being motivated by a friend. However, it was not until the end of 2019 that she began to truly develop an appreciation of the sport.
“It was at a time when I felt like I was focusing too much on work and school that I wasn’t giving myself enough time to be active and meet new people.
“We have a dojo (a room or hall in which judo and other martial arts are practised) out in Nabua and that’s the main dojo that everybody sort of trains out of, so I started back there but now we’ve expanded and we’ve got new clubs.
“I’m now part of the Kame Judo and kame in Japanese is turtle, showing our resilience. It’s more where people my age, from 20 to 28, can actually let loose and fight.”
The first daunting things that she learned were gymnastic moves also used in judo and getting the body to be flexible and warmed up.
“So (in judo) you’re always rolling forward, doing cartwheels, side-rolls and that sort of things. I am a big person so it was frightening for me to roll over myself and protect my neck at the same time.”
“The first thing they teach is how to fall safely, then you can get into the bigger stuff.”
As an active over thinker, during her judo sessions, Jemima focuses entirely on the sport.
“I have no thoughts of work, family or other things and I enjoy it for the exercise, for the exhaustion, the adrenaline rush and the clarity (of mind).
“Judo has eight values that I not only learnt on the mat but off the mat as well.
“It’s friendship, sincerity, honesty, respect, modesty, politeness, courage and control of oneself.”
She recalled a time when someone mentioned to her that judo was like flowing water.
“It flows through any barrier. Even if there were rocks it would still flow through.
“So I’ve taken that into my life, taking things easy and just seeing what comes my way.”
For some, judo can become a sacred place and for Jemima it has also become a place of special bonding.
“So you go in there with the select few who take up the sport and there’s only a handful of you but you end up forming a bond and strengthening your relationship with others.
Jemima says the disciplines of the sport becomes sacred not because someone tells you to do it but because “you have actually come to respect and have a deep gratitude for judo”.
As the 2023 Pacific Games slowly approaches, Jemima has begun her personal training. One of her challenges is keeping a watch on what she eats.
“So the thing about it is if I lose weight and I’m lighter than them (opponent), then I need to be faster but if I’m at the same weight then I’m just going to get stronger so that I’m able to pull and push.
“We’re looking to send a team of 14, seven women and seven men while also keeping in mind the possibility of sending extras.”
Laughing, Jemima explained how it was a funny moment for her family when she initially joined judo.
“It was bit of a joke because I’m quite clumsy according to my mother. I have cuts and bruises all the time.
“So for me to do such a heavy contact sport where you’re physically fighting somebody, my family found that a bit hilarious in the beginning.
“But I’m developing and improving with the South Pacific Games in mind and with the undeniable support and love I get from my family behind me.”