Wrestling With Olympic Wrestling Gold Medalist Rei Higuchi

Shintaro recently participated in special training sessions with the Olympic Wrestling Gold Medalist Rei Higuchi as the translator, and shares this incredible experience with Peter. They dive deep into the technical side of wrestling, highlighting the unique challenges and nuances of grappling terminology across languages. Shintaro recounts how the session was not just about technique, but also about understanding the mindset and methods of a champion. The conversation covers Higuchi's systematic approach to training, the benefits of small group training pods, and how these lessons can be applied to judo, BJJ, and beyond. For fans of grappling sports, this episode provides rare insights into the mechanics of elite wrestling and the cross-disciplinary connections within grappling arts.

(00:00:00) Introduction

(00:01:00) How Shintaro Met Rei Higuchi

(00:02:22) The Role of Wrestling Terminology

(00:06:00) Training Session Structure

(00:07:32) Cross-Pollination Between Wrestling and Judo

(00:09:03) High-Level Insights from Rei Higuchi

(00:13:41) What Are Training Pods?

(00:26:46) The Grand Unified Theory of Grappling: Push, Pull, Angle, Kuzushi

(00:34:56) How Rei Higuchi Uses The Grand Unified Theory of Grappling

(00:43:28) How Can Hobbyists Use The Grand Unified Theory of Grappling?