Ryan Ginstrom <ginstrom@hotmail.com> wrote:

> <mtfester@netMAPSONscape.net> wrote in message
> news:bth4kp$hs6$1@news.Stanford.EDU...

> Although I once nearly starved to death, because I couldn't figure out the
> Portuguese word for "fork" (which they had neglected to give me in the
> restaurant), and "tenedor" wasn't doing the trick. That's when my very
> successful career in miming was born.

Oddly, the only Portuguese student we have (as opposed to Brazilian)
says there are some Brazilian accents he can barely understand, while
most of the Mexican students say they have no problem understanding any
of the Brazilians.

I am not in a position to dispute either contention.

>> He originally wore a gi in the no-holds barred fights, using it as a
>> weapon. That worked for awhile, until everyone figured out how to grab
>> it to their advantage.

> I guess I have been lax in keeping up with these things then. I thought it
> was really cool when I saw him use his gi to choke someone once.

Yep, and that's why Yoshida chooses to wear the gi. Also, if the other
guy isn't wearing a gi, you have enough friction that it doesn't turn
into greased pig contest. Still, it seems the disadvantages outweigh the
advantages, as the skill differences diminish.

Mike