[Grimm_Wolfe]

(04-21-2017, 09:49 AM)Nether_Ruler Wrote: Judo also sounds quite interesting, being able to choke and break people, just might be helpful later on...

It's pretty useful, especially in conjunction with a strike-based martial art or fighting system to round our your technique-arsenal.  A bit of warning though.  If you do pick up Judo, there are some risks involved with it.  It is a full-contact combat sport, which means risks for sprains, dislocations, broken bones, and concussions.  That being said, any instructor worth their salt will thoroughly train you on safety practices, how to safely be thrown before you spar anyone at full-speed, and instill you and your partners with a healthy respect for the safety of one another.

One benefit from Judo sparring though is that you'll get first-hand experience in actively trying to fight someone.  You'll learn what works for you and what doesn't work, as well as how to fight people of varying heights and weights.  It's also one hell of a workout.

I do have a good testament to Judo's effectiveness, too.  Last year–during spring-break–an unarmed man tried to sexually assault one of the female students my instructor and I taught.  She kicked his ass and he had to run away.  The police caught him later.  Even though she was only about 5'6" (167.6cm) and weighed ~150lb (68kg), she was mean as fuck when we sparred.