BY KELLIE TAYLOR
Enquirer contributor
At first glance, Blaine Jones seems like your typical eight-year-old boy - energetic and inquisitive with a charasmatic smile.
But Blaine is anything but typical. The Hamilton native is the defending National Judo champion and two-time state judo champion (1997,'98).
"The kid is a golden child," Blaine's father and coach, Mike, said. "He was walking and jumping off steps at seven months. When he was three, he learned to ride his bike in the snow without training wheels. He's amazing. I'm lucky to have him as a son."
Blaine, who competes in the heavyweight division of his age group, has been involved in judo since he was four years old. In the past four years, Blaine has never lost to a competitor in his age group. At the United States Incorporated Junior Olympic Nationals in Indianapolis last year, Blaine swept his competition by winning all five of his matches. Blaine will defend his title in June in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
Last year, Blaine was competing for more than the national title. "My dad said he'd get me hamsters and a tube if I won," Blaine said. While rodents can be a great incentive, Blaine tells his dad that he strives for the gold for a different reason.
"He says he wins the gold medals for Camen," Mike said. Camen is Blaine's six-year-old autistic brother.
In addition to training under his dad at Spears Amateur Boxing, Kick Boxing and Tae Kwon Do in Hamilton, Blaine has received instruction from Frank Herzog, a 17-time state and four-time national champion. Herzog was also an alternate on two Olympic teams.
Judo has been in the Olympics since 1964, but the sport originated in Japan in 1882. Judo is derived from the samurai martial art of jujitsu. The sport involves grappling, throwing and choke holds (Choke holds are not allowed in Blaine's level of competition). The judokas, or competitors, use their opponents' force and body weight to their advantage.
"Judo is based on the maximum efficient use of energy," Mike said. "Work smarter, not harder is the whole maxum. It's a lot like the idea of that which does not kill you will make you stronger." Judokas win matches by accumulating points or by an ippon, or decisive throw. Blaine won the national title last year by using a left-side ippon, his weak side. Even many adults judokas are unable to master the weak-side ippon.
"It was just amazing," Mike said.
While Blaine appears to be dominating the national judo scene now, he will not be able to compete internationally for five more years.
Judokas must be at least 13 to start earning points for the world championships and the Olympics.
In the meantime, Blaine has plenty to keep him occupied. Mike and wife Stephanie, both registered nurses and Miami University alums, lead hectic lives with their phenom. In addition to judo, Blaine takes karate lessons, was the leading scorer on his soccer team, leading rebounder on his basketball team and power hitter on his baseball team.
Blaine, an "A" student at Pierce Elementary who wants to be a scientist when he grows up, takes his success in stride.
"He never really thinks anything of the attention and I don't want him to," Mike said. "I want him to be an ordinary eight-year-old. He's just an all-around good kid. That's all I care about."
