The One-Armed Judo Champion • followHIM Favorites • Oct 12–18 • Come, Follow Me 2026

The 10-year-old boy had lost his left arm in a car accident, but he wanted to study judo anyway. A Japanese master agreed to teach him, and for three months the boy trained a single move—and nothing else. When he finally asked why, the master replied, "This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know." The boy trusted his teacher and kept training.

Months later, at his first tournament, the boy won his first two matches easily. The third match was harder, but his opponent grew impatient and charged—the boy used his one move and won. Then came the finals. His opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. The boy was being overmatched, and the referee called a timeout, worried the boy might get hurt. The master intervened: "No, let him continue." The match resumed. The opponent dropped his guard. The boy used his one move and pinned him. He was the champion.

On the way home, the boy finally asked what he really wanted to know: "Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?" The master answered: "You won for two reasons. First, you've mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. Second, the only known defense for that move is for the opponent to grab your left arm."