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  Part- 303:

  James inhaled deeply. He loved this feeling—the drive that everyone around him exuded, eadividual striving toersonal excelleoday, he was here for the same reason. Without wasting time, James weaved his way through the hall and headed toward Kashem Chowdhury’s office at the ter of the building. Kashem was a legend in the world of judo, known not only for his teical expertise but also for his ability to get the best out of any student willing to learn. His influeretched beyond judo; his teags carried lessons applicable to every aspeartial arts.

  As James approached the office, he could hear the faint shuffle of papers and the squeak of a chair inside. He knocked on the open door and stepped in. Kashem, standing tall and imposing with his arms crossed, turo face him. He was a man in his mid-forties, with sharp features and a no-nonsense demeanor that demanded respect. His salt-and-pepper hair added to the air of experiehat surrounded him.

  "Coach Giioned you might e," Kashem said, nodding slightly iing. His voice carried the weight of authority but also the subtle warmth of someone who uood dedication.

  James gave a polite nod iuring his bag down beside the door. "You know him? Yeah, I o work on some specific things for the finals. Something I rely on if the match gets... plicated."

  Kashem’s lips curled slightly in what might have been approval. His sharp, assessing gaze lingered on James for a moment, as if evaluating his curreal state as much as his words. "Good. You’re thinking ahead. I guess you have grown up than a week ago," He uncrossed his arms aured toward the training mats at the ter of the room. "Let’s focus on transitions today. If anything will carry you through a tough fight, it’s those small moments—when you turn a failed move into an advaransitions are the hardest to master, but they make the differeween winning and losing."

  Without a word, Kashem stepped onto the mat aured for James to join him. Until now, Kashem had never given James a one-on-one lesson, usually verbal advice while James practiced with Ryan. Refleg on this, James hurried to the mat, rolling up his sleeves and preparing for a demanding session. They started with slow, deliberate movements—Kashem demonstrating each sequence, and James following with focused precision.

  "Again," Kashem said, his tone firm but patient, as James practiced moving from an attempted throw into a quick armbar. "Don’t hesitate. Flow into it. Even a split-sed dey gives your oppo an opening."

  James gritted his teeth aed the sequerying to make the transition smoother. He could feel the subtle difference each time—how his muscles began to memorize the movements, how his bance shifted naturally with practice. Kashem offered corres as they went along, often with just a word or a tap on the shoulder.

  "Weight on the ball of your foot. Now shift—there you go. See how that keeps your ter stable?"