For USA judoka Ari BERLINER and Jack YONEZUKA, travelling to Europe to hone their craft has become a key part of their journey to success. Fresh off competing in the Zagreb Grand Prix last weekend, the pair arrived in Montenegro for the Podgorica European Cup, continuing their mission of balancing high-level competition with development opportunities.
While it may seem glamorous to travel and compete around the world, it’s a carefully thought-out process. When asked about how they plan these trips, Ari explained:
“Great question. We often have to balance our world ranking points with our development and improvement. European Cups and Opens are great for gaining match experience and improving but they give very few ranking points, if at all. So, for this trip, Jack and I planned to go to Zagreb for points and then Podgorica for development. So far, it’s working out.”
For many athletes, medals are the ultimate goal but for Ari and Jack, these European Cups are more about growth. Ari emphasised that the real value comes in the sheer number of matches.
“I got seven matches today,” Ari said after his performance in Podgorica, “and at an IJF World Tour events, I might get one or two. Medals are a bonus but they matter more for sponsors and social media. I have sponsors that will be happy with this medal, and it helps mentally with confidence.”
The Reality Behind the Scenes
Although the life of an international judoka may sound exciting, it comes with its own set of challenges. From booking flights and accommodations to coaching each other on-site, these athletes manage most aspects of their trips themselves and with the support of their hometown. Living out of a suitcase is not much fun after 5-6 weeks but their dedication speaks for itself. While Ari sometimes spends a little longer at home, Jack’s turnover can seem instantaneous at times.
Currently, Jack is fortunate to have the support that allows him to travel long term and also to concentrate fully on training at home. For Ari, it is a constant balancing act between his judo career and a part-time job back home. Ari works with an organisation that sets up theatre and music shows, and this flexibility allows him to train and compete internationally. “I’m also studying finance,” he added. “I am not sure if I want that to be my career after judo but more avenues and more education always leads to more options.”
Eyes on the Prize: LA2028
With the next Olympic Games taking place in Los Angeles, both Ari and Jack are thinking ahead about their paths to qualification. Although the USA, as the host nation, may not need to qualify, Ari sees this as an opportunity to stay sharp and establish himself.
“Some athletes will choose to focus mainly on domestic events but Jack and I want to do more Cups and Opens, along with the IJF World Tour,” he explained. “We want to stay on top of our game and aim for direct qualification.”
For Jack, the journey is a bit different. Having competed at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Jack is already an Olympian but remains just as dedicated to improving his judo. Some athletes are in Bali, others are on the beach in Rio de Janeiro, you took four days off after Paris and you are already back in action. Why so early at the Zagreb Grand Prix last weekend?
“Last week was rough for me and the whole month after the Olympics was pretty tough for me mentally to come back from. I am young and still a developing athlete so I really wanted to get back into competition straight away, I feel like my body didn’t need much of a break. I am young and can still recover quickly. But after Zagreb last week I felt like maybe I needed a little more rest, but sometimes you just have to learn the hard way, like mentally I thought I needed a break. Though it is good that I can learn from my mistakes last weekend and I did better this weekend, so it worked out. I just love judo and I love training so I really didn’t see myself taking a long break, just right back to work.” explained Jack.
Jack finished in second place in Podgorica, a strong result considering his recent return to the mat. “Even though the final didn’t go the way I wanted, I beat some good guys and it feels great to gain some momentum back. These Cups are excellent for getting a lot of matches, finding mistakes, and working on them for bigger events.”
Self-Coaching and the European Judo Family
Despite their coaches supporting them from afar, Ari and Jack often find themselves relying on self-coaching during these long trips. From planning their tournament schedules to analyzing their performances, they take on a lot of responsibility for their own development. Fortunately, the pair has built strong connections in Europe and they have found their extended judo family here. Jack said; “We’re lucky to have friends and training partners across Europe who support us along the way.”
In a few hours, Ari will board a plane back to the U.S., bringing home his bronze medal from Podgorica and plenty of valuable lessons. His next stop? The Tokyo Grand Slam, where he plans to stay for additional training. Jack, on the other hand, will head to Valencia before competing in another European Cup in Portugal, followed by the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam.
Visualizing the Future
With LA2028 in the back of their minds both athletes are determined to keep pushing forward. When Jack was asked if he envisions himself on the podium in Los Angeles, he was quick to respond;
“Absolutely, I always use visualisation techniques no matter the level of the event. Actually, Jimmy Pedro says you always have to have a vision before you can make it the reality. He is very big on that and I try to follow that.”
For Ari and Jack, their journey may be filled with long flights, tough matches and the occasional cultural shock, but their love for judo and dedication to the sport continue to drive them toward their goals. With a combination of planning, perseverance, and passion, they are on their way to making their Olympic dreams come true.
Author: Szandra Szogedi