Javi Delgado looks back and works on Spanish generation

Javier Delgado was six time Spanish Champion and won 12 national medals. He competed at World and European Championships and fought at the highest level at the Tournoi de Paris. He retired in 2012 and focuses on breeding the new generation in Spain.

Javi Delgado was interviewed by Judo Noticias and walked through his career.

The Madrid is one of those people who don't leave you indifferent... Controversial, direct, honest, always gives the face. Javi Delgado is faithful to his own irreverent, this positive that you enjoy the challenge, fight for what you want with all your heart and yes it gets. Today the ‘Mostoleño’ reveals us a part of his life in the judo in which it is and always will be the ichiban.

1. How did your relationship with judo start?

It begins in a college of Móstoles. I was a kid a little restless (a hand drops lol) and my parents thought that I could come in handy to channel all that activity.

2. Why did you choose this sport?

I always caught the attention of the martial arts, from very small. I tried the karate and other sports such as football, gymnastics, athletics, but without a doubt the judo had something that appealed to me especially...

3. Junior World Medalist... Two medals in the mythical grand slam of Paris... 10 medals in events of the IJF, 6 Senior National titles... With so many good times, which one would you stay and why?

Well stay with for a moment it would be difficult. I have very good memories of some of the competitions of which you have named you, but I will highlight a, the second medal in Paris. I think I did a good competition, I won to people like the Cuban Arencibia and lost in the semifinal to Joao Derly (Double Champion of the world at that time) in the minute 9 M: 40 s in golden score. 6 fighting very hard so I remember it, and the podium speaks for itself (1th Joao Derly, 2^nd Hiroyuki Akimoto and bronze Miki Ungvari and myself).

4. What were the disappointments of your career as judoka?

Stay out of the games of Beijing. He wore in the first 10 of the world in my weight a large part of the circuit and in Germany they kicked me out for three tickets to the doctor for blood to the breaking my nose and mathematically I lost. Tough times but well that's what I got...

5. You're a competitor of a great career and do you see a lot of differences in judo compare from your early years and the current?

Well I think before every country had " your school "," His style ", Clearly identifiable. Now the arbitration rules defined much of the judo competition, and in my opinion we are all very strong physically, very trained tactically, but we don't see those big battles between the European school against Asians, against the claw of Latin countries. I think that has been lost with such modification and ban, I don't know if it's for good or ill of judo, but "now we have to do judo with care" and that's why I prefer the judo from years ago.

6. How has been the transition of being on the mat to be running to your athletes?

Well it wasn't a decision of mine. Almost I accidentally found it and I had to decide. My Coach withdrew from the high competition and some of my fellow (now students) they told me and encouraged me to take the reins of the group in any way that we were at that time.

7. What do you consider the assets to be a good coach?

Character / attitude (what you are as a coach is what your students come, mimic, they follow you and is reflected in some way, experience (as a competitor and coach), Continuous Training (trying to be recycled and informed of progress in training methodologies of judo today), Emotional Intelligence (this that is given by nature and are not studying. Is this a great point for the individual / coach who possesses this quality to the time to train athletes). But for me, the most important thing is to customize and treat the sportsman individually. Adapting everything to him, to the extent that resources allow. Create a special relationship between athlete and coach, teacher and student, that makes it any easier on the road to success. Since then for me the delivery of 100 per cent of the judoka and blind faith in the coach (this is key, and he taught me my coach Antonio Sánchez and I remember it every day, you're absolutely right...)

8. According to your opinion: what entails a greater degree of difficulty... Being an athlete or a coach elite?

I don't have much experience in years as a coach, but the dedicate in body and soul to train people is very hard and you steal a lot of life. To this day, I love, I love being a part of the dream of any athlete, get my hopes up with you, cry laugh, win, lose... It is very difficult, but I feel lucky that people think that I can help them achieve their goals. The competitors are very selfish and the times in which we are living at present I think they're tough, terrible, and that you're going to forge a character sometimes hostile. Apart from the fierce fighting that has a judoka with rivals, ranking, weight, etc… at the time that he's the judo in our country, in addition we have to worry about search for funding for travel to compete... It's crazy! Without a doubt at this time in Spain, it is very very difficult to be an athlete.

9. What's your opinion about Spanish Judo?

Pffff long and hard you could talk about this... Some time ago I stopped to talk and talk, even in my closed circles that is wrong and that's okay, and that must be done, do you know why? Because it's not worth anything and I think a lot of you to read this you will understand me. In the end get lit, you get angry and nothing you can do. Until I see a change, a project that motivated me, I've stopped talking about all this since at the moment there's nothing I can do to change, so I'm still in my club working with my people playing " the game and using the rules for the best I know ".

10. and how do you see the future of the National Judo?

In my opinion this is not good (of course I'm not talking about Spanish judokas that I think that regardless of what you win or lose, we're the true "Heroes" for what they achieve and how we do it) and the future ahead as Do not change much the thing, isn't it better. All of this in relation to the structure and the system, no doubt the raw material that we have in Spain (the judokas) is very very good (there are young people in our teams that I'm sure they'll provide so many joys to the judo Spanish) but you have to take care of them!... Of course this is just my opinion.

11. What was the creation of ajm?

Well, it was a project, an illusion and today it is a reality. The City of móstoles (my city) gave me support at all times because you got the idea and got involved. Try to create something more than a club. Get close to what in my idea is or must be a high performance centre (up to where it can be reached with the means that I have my scope of course) and the truth is that I'm very pleased to date of what is ajm.

12. Tell us about your project in the ajm and sportsmen who train under your baton.

Well, as I explained earlier in ajm giving or attempt to contribute to the athletes who train with me a plus, something else, which I think I can make the difference between the good and the best. I also have the luck of having the confidence of more than 25 judokas of first line at the national level and some at the international level, who came to get me to help them to fulfill his dream and given how young she is this club I am very happy How are things going.

13. How to motivate your athletes??

A lot of talking to them, by convincing them of how good they are (because you really are), To strengthen its weak points, improving their strengths, encouraging them to dream and fight without limits, provided they are consistent with what they invest (effort, training, preferences, etc) without a doubt to trust in themselves and they don't wrinkle before anyone ... Give equal the rival Japanese, Korean, French, Russian, try to remember what you've worked to be here, that's what you want and in front of you wants it remove so for him (her) ¨...

14. You own two European medals, various national titles, individual and team medals, various World Cup medals, what result do you cherish?

It wouldn't be fair to decide by one of those titles, because I also get: the who managed to qualify for a championship of Spain, which was recovered from an injury, come back and compete and win a cup of Spain, with the first time Stay champion of Spain in the seniors, with the time that I heard one of them: " I told you, I told you that you would be among the best in Europe and the world¨, when we managed to qualify for a global and a European, When between hugs a friend of mine almost retired stays champion of Spain to me and says: " thank you without you I would have given up..." All I'm left with all, in this short journey as a coach there are many precious moments to stay with just one...

15. What characteristics do you think that distinguish your athletes?

The good judo, the grip, the courage, the race, the day to day on a tatami mat, the training, the mental spirit. You can win or lose but their attitude on the mat is always very good.

16. How can you combine your work in the judo with your professional life?

Well my life is anything but quiet. I have always open a thousand fronts (Judo today because today is my passion, not my way to earn a living) but I feel very fortunate to be able to live as I live and I am very happy that, although it is sometimes exhausting the day to day.

17. What motivates Javier Delgado to get up every morning?

The search for being the best at what I do, To see my loved ones in good health, my dog, life's great and I'm trying to savor all the good times enjoying to the gills.

18. What's the phrase essential in your life?

Oops! I like a lot of it depends on the moment... But mind talking about sports, I'm staying with a word and not a phrase: Ichiban!

19. What makes you laugh?

A chat with my friends talking about anything and everything...

20. What he hates?

Bad people...

21. Something you want to add to the readers of judo news?

Well I would like to thank you all to help us to meet the people of Judo Spanish with your interviews. I like to know more things from our athletes, technicians, etc.. I encourage you to keep you in this line!

A big hug to all the readers of judo news.