He started his judo career at the age of 10 when he enrolled in a YMCA program. Then he practiced in the gymnasium of St. Paul’s School.
Today, 14 years later, Glenn Beauchamp has outgrown school gymnasiums – applying his skills at international events.
Last week Beauchamp returned to Canada after competing at a judo competition in Japan as a member of the Canadian team.
“The competition is equal to the Olympics and is held every four years,” explained Beauchamp on the weekend.
The 24 – year – old who competed in the 78 kg. Category, came away from the event with an award in recognition of his talents.
“They pick a gay from a division who exemplifies good techniques and skills,” said Beauchamp.
He showed no sign of the disappointment two years ago when he finished fourth in the 1984 Olympics. Instead, he talked about his decision to remain in the sport two more years, and hopefully an appearance in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, Korea.
“I guess I am just taking a chance. I’m certainly not in it for the notoriety.”
That notoriety is almost non-existent in Canada, where Beauchamp feels the sport has a bad profile.
“It’s looked at as a foreign sport here,” said Beauchamp, adding that the judging which is done in a foreign language, does not help matters.
“You certainly cannot make money at it here, not like you could in the States.”
Beauchamp is not worried about his future after judo. He possesses an economics degree from the University of Waterloo.
Judo skills not only belong to the younger Beauchamp in the family; his older brother Brian is also skilled in the art.
In a November 15 – 16 competition, Brian placed first in the Ontario Open held in Scarborough. He competed in the 86 kg. class. The 28 – year – old was also ranked number one in Canada last year.
“Brian doesn’t take it seriously, though,” commented Glenn as the two brothers began reminiscing about the times they had together in Montreal and France where both have gone to train.
Training, however, is only a part of judo. Beauchamp believes it is also a sport which requires a lot of mental preparation.
“It’s not like swimming where you dive in the water and you know what your time will be within a second,” said Beauchamp, explaining the finer points of the sport.
“You plan a strategy because you know the night before who your opponent will be,” he continued, as if describing manoeuvres in chess.
“If he has a strong point and you can take it away from him, then you have a better chance of winning.
“And before a match, you sometimes ask yourself why you should win and you try and figure out why.”
The Olympian returned to Montreal on Sunday night (Nov. 23) to begin preparation to for the 1988 Olympics. Although he would like to train in his hometown, there is no facility available in Whitby.“I tried to get a judo club started because I know I could produce more Olympic athletes.”
But with Whitby Council’s decision earlier this year not to fully expand the Iroquois recreation facility, Beauchamp feels he will not have that opportunity for at least 10 years.
For now he is concentrating on the upcoming Olympics.
“Everything you do two years prior to the Olympics is taken into account,” said Beauchamp who spends four to five hours a day training in Montreal, where he has an apartment.
But what will he do after the Olympics?
“After 88 – that’s it.”
But in 1992 I’ll still be young enough…”
