Weakness or Strength?

I heard this story and I hope I can repeat it properly.

Sometimes your biggest weakness can become your biggest strength. Take for example, the story of one 10-year old boy who decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a car accident.

The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. He was doing well, but he couldn’t understand why, after three months of training, the master had taught him only one move.

“Sensei’” the boy finally said, “Shouldn’t I be learning more moves?”

“This is the only move you’ll ever need to know,” the sensei replied. Not quite understanding but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.

Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches with his one move. The championship match proved to be more difficult, because his opponent was bigger and more experienced.

For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened.

“No,” the sensei insisted. “Let him continue.”

Soon after the match resumed, his opponent dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament.

On the way home, the boy asked what was really on his mind.

“Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?”

“You won for two reasons,” the sensei answered. “First, you mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grip your left arm.”

The boy’s biggest weakness had become his greatest strength.