Workshop gives judo students a day with an Olympian

The Owen County Judo Team hosted a clinic Saturday at Owen County High School.  Four-Time Olympian Brian Olson flew in from Dallas, Texas, to share his knowledge on what it takes to become an elite athlete.

Olson discusses and prepares to demonstrate the art of grappling with a volunteer. Below: Clay Beverly tests out some of his newly learned skills on Olson.

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Olson moved to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., when he was just 17 and trained there for 20 years with bronze medalist and current Olympic Training Center Coach Eddie Liddie. 

Now, Olson runs a fitness center and martial arts academy in Dallas and conducts grassroots clinics across the nation in an effort to improve the quality of judo among junior and senior level athletes.

Approximately 50 participants attended the clinic where Olson demonstrated numerous grappling techniques, throws, armlocks, and chokes. 

Nearly every participant had at least one minute on the mat alone with Olson in a competitive setting, no matter if he/she were 2-feet tall or 6-feet tall.