“I too was bullied, but I fought back by founding the Bu-Sen Martial Arts School.”
A touching testimony that of the famous Arcorese master Adelio Bottani, founder of the “Bu-Sen” martial arts school, one of the longest-standing associations in the city which on Sunday 19 March 2023 will celebrate the 45th anniversary of its foundation with a party at the PalaUnimec in Arcore.
How was Bu-Sen born?
It was January 10, 1978. It had just stopped snowing, icy roads and Arcore enveloped in the polar cold. But that evening the master Adelio Bottani organized an information evening on martial arts, then unknown to most because the children only attended football, basketball and volleyball. That evening in the chilly school gymnasium in via Edison, where even the tatami seemed frozen, 9 children showed up. From there, from that official baptism, a beautiful story began, made up of faces, victories, satisfactions of a partnership that has become, over the years, a true school of life and a point of reference for martial arts throughout the boot. . A partnership that produced young people who later became champions in the world of martial arts.
A beautiful story born, however, from a traumatic experience
A beautiful story, we said, but born on the ashes of a touching experience lived in the first person by Bottani, which even today, after 9 decades, hasn’t changed at all: the theme of bullying.
“When, as a child, I went to the oratory, during the summer, I had become a laughing stock because of my short stature – Bottani underlined – This experience has always bothered me a lot and from there the idea of having to defend myself was born somehow. Then, at the age of 23, a friend told me that he was going to try to attend a gym in via Arese in Milan, which was called Bu-Sen. After the first lesson I decided to enroll immediately and, when I arrived in Arcore, I didn’t hesitate to call my martial arts school just like that gym in Milan, which literally changed my life”.
A passion born from a very young age
Bottani’s passion for the discipline of judo was born at a very young age, when he attended the master’s Bu-Sen gym in Milan Cesare Barioli.
“He represented a lot for me and for my human and professional growth – continued Bottani – He was probably the best Italian teacher and he passed on a lot to me, so much so that I strongly wanted to call my school Bu-Sen, in honor of his “.
Over the years, the judoka has collected prizes, such as first place in the inter-regional competitions of 1973 and second place in the Italian katà championship, up to obtaining the qualification of 6th dan black belt master. Among his students in Arcore, his son Gabriele Bottani stands out, winner of the youth games and the Coni Lombardia award as best athlete of the year, but also the other Alessandro, now vice-president of the association and 4th dan instructor. Michele Nicastro, who have participated in national competitions.
“Telling 45 years of sporting history is not easy…”
“Telling the story of 50 years of sporting life is not easy, years in which, as in life, anything can happen, exhilarating moments, great results, defeats, mortifications and disappointments – continued Bottani – discouragement undermines all enthusiasm, the important thing is It was always finding the courage to get up and start over again, a task that is not always easy but useful for getting to know yourself.Judo is a discipline that helps in all senses especially in character, when you lose it stays inside a burning toad and you gain experience, when you win you feel satisfied and all of a sudden the effort that you sustained to face a fight disappears, you overcome everything only if you believe it and your head sees positive, it is as if you are fighting against yourself.In the gym of master Cesare Barioli I lived sportingly for more than 20 years, with him and with this sport I learned how to face life, judo teaches a lot and in many aspects it is like the path of one’s existence, the Friendship with Professor Bernardi, a well-known pediatrician who is also a Judoka, has allowed me to learn more about the world of children with whom I have been teaching judo game for years, a method to bring them closer to judo through play and begin to respect the rules with the fun. The honor I received fills me with pride, but I remain humble because we never stop learning, and in front of the world we are little meteors”.
“Respect for the opponent is the first thing”
But, beyond the numerous victories achieved, Bottani wanted to underline the true value that the martial arts transmit.
“The fundamental basis is respect for the opponent – underlined the president of Bu-Sen – Judo has given me so much, it has helped me from a character point of view. If someone verbally attacks me, I try to reason with him and avoid the reaction My leitmotif is a Chinese proverb which says: better to repress a moment of anger than a hundred days of pain.” There was also a mention of the parents.
“For many parents I am not only the martial arts master, but an educator, indeed almost a psychologist – concluded Bottani – Many mothers and fathers ask me to intervene with their children from a character point of view and, unfortunately, many times, I have to act where moms and dads can’t. But I do it with joy and passion”.
Over 2,000 athletes climbed onto the city’s most famous tatami
The martial arts school founded by Bottani, which includes judo, karate and aikido, can boast over 150 athletes, but over the course of 4 decades more than 2,000 athletes have climbed onto the most famous tatami in the city.
“After a few years spent in via Edison, from the beginning of the 80s we began the adventure in the gymnasium of the middle school in via San Martino offering only judo – underlined Bottani – Then, over time, we also added the courses of Karate. Then, in 1985, I started the free course in female self-defense which I carry out every year. This last one is truly a flagship of our activities and every year it is very successful. To this day I have next to me the important presence my son Alessandro Bottani, 5th Dan. He’s a really good guy who follows me with great passion”.
The party on Sunday
Sunday 19 March, at 5 pm at the PalaUnimec, will be a special afternoon full of surprises where judo, karate, aikido, kick boxing, kendo and iaido athletes will perform. There will also be Japanese Taiko drums and the Japanese console will also be present.
