"Smilin" Peter Andrada Nidan, USMA Jujitsu Shodan, USMA Judo 1999 Minnesota State Judo Heavy Weight Champion E-Mail Pete

Began formal study of Judo 1986

I intrest in the "mysterious" martial arts began similar to most boys, with something called "Kung Fu Theater". Strangly enough, my father had a true interest in Sumo wrestling as well, and would wake me on Saturday mornings to watch Japan's National Championships when it was shown on TV. This planted the seed of my interest, and when I was 12 my mother enrolled me in a community ed "self defense" class. The twice a week training was Karate-based, and for a summer I backfisted x-ray film and kiai'd loudly.
    The fall of 7th grade my mom again signed me up for a martial arts class, but this one was different. This one involved grabbing, and pulling and holddowns and using your whole body. This was Judo. I began my training under Yosh Sudo, a Godan. I trained with all the way through high school and remain loyal to his ideals to this day. A true grappler at heart, Sudo Sensei delighted in round after round of matwork where he would win with all manner of submissions and crushing holddowns.
    After a short two year hiatus from any martial arts, I saw that the University was interested in starting what it called an "Olymipic Judo club". I was of course was interested, and attended the first planning meeting. An old adversary of mine was there as well, Nathan Erishman, and together with the help of some other Judoka from outstate we founded the Uof M's Judo Club. It still is pratices now as it did then - a welcome home for true Judo players.
In recent years I have taken a liking to full contact fighting and a mixed martial arts approach. I have begun to branch into other arts, among them Jujitsu, Sambo, folkstyle/Greco Roman wrestling, boxing, Muay Thai and filippino Escirma (stickfighting).
    I am thankful for the powerful grappling base Sudo Sensei gave to me, and to others who have more recently assisted my "blossoming" - Mike Reilly, Adam Rachuy, Sishir Chang, Kevin Garcia, Cory Baron, Robert Rivera, Jason Sedlak and any others I have foolishly missed...

FAVORITE TECHNIQUE: My favorite series of techniques involves the close in striking I so enjoy and then moves onto a grappling range and finally ends with a submission. I like to close with a Muay Thai round house leg kick from my back right shin, and enter into boxing range with left jabs/hooks and right hands to the body. This tends to get your opponent bent over forward as they attack back. Here I like to use a throw to take them down, and preferably land on them in the process. (any of the "makikomi" throws are best here). I tend then to keep the opponent on his back, and make attempts at knees and head butts as I reach across the body for a far coild armlock, my favorite submission....