Part-207

  James straightened up, smiling in response. “I’m ready to learn, sir. Thank you for taking the time.”

  Kashem nodded and turo Ryan. “And you, Ryan, I expect you’ll help James get up to speed. You've trained here before, so you know what I expect.”

  Ryan smirked but nodded respectfully. “Of course, sir. I'll try to keep up.”

  Kashem’s expression grew more serious as he folded his arms across his chest. “Before we begin, I want to make ohing clear,” he said, looking directly at James. “When you spar today, you’ll only be using Judo teiques. I know you’ve developed a habit of mixing styles, but today is about mastering the fuals. Agreed?”

  James chuckled, a bit sheepish. In previous sparring matches with Ryan, he had relied on a freestyle approach, blending teiques from skill list and his limited karate experieo secure quick victories. Today, though, Kashem wanted pure Judo, and James respected that.

  “Uood, sir,” James said. “I’ll stick to Judo.”

  Ryan raised an eyebrow and grinned. “This should be iing. No more sneaky punches or sps, huh?”

  James pyfully nudged Ryan as they both stepped onto the mat. The atmosphere immediately shifted as they took their positions, bowing to each other in respect. Kashem stepped back, watg with hawk-like focus, arms still crossed as he observed their every movement.

  “Begin!” Kashem called.

  The match started slowly, with both boys cirg each other, looking for an opening. James, though eager, stayed cautious, reminding himself to stick to the basics—footwork, bance, and leverage. Ryan was more experienced in Judo, and he moved fluidly, his body rexed yet ready to strike.

  James attempted the first move, stepping in for an *osoto gari*, a cssic Judo throw where he aimed to sweep Ryan’s leg out from under him. But Ryan anticipated it, pivoting quickly and tering with a *tai otoshi*, a body drop throw that nearly sent James crashing to the mat. James narrowly avoided the full impact, regaining his band trying to reset his stance.

  The sparring match tinued with both exging moves—throws, ters, and grappling teiques. Kashem watched silently, nodding occasionally but saying nothing. His eyes were sharp, analyzing every movement, every fw in their execution.

  After several minutes, Ryan finally mao get the upper hand, throwing James ly onto the mat with a swift *ippon seoi nage*, a one-arm shoulder throw. James grunted as he hit the mat, feeling the familiar rush of adrenaline and frustration.

  “Not bad, Ryan,” James muttered, rolling to his feet. “You’ve been practig.”

  Ryan grinned, catg his breath. “Told you. No more punches.”

  Kashem stepped forward, g his hands oo signal the end of the match. “That was good,” he said, his tone approvi firm. “Both of you showed solid teique. But there’s something we o work on—your fitness.”

  James and Ryan exged puzzled ghey were both fairly active, but Kashem had noticed something they hadn’t.

  “You have the form,” Kashem tinued, “but your endurand strength o improve if yoing to st in serious petition. Judo isn’t just about teique. It’s about sting lohan your oppo, having the stamina to push through when you’re tired, and the strength to execute throws when your body wants to give up.”