English Judo Blogs

Despite facing sizable adversaries, Justin Lemire was not about to go down without a fight at the Judo World Championships Tuesday. The 25-year-old judoka ended his day with one win and one loss in the Under 73 kg category in Azerbaijan. In his first bout of the day, Lemire competed against Adil Osmanov (Moldova), a bronze medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The Québec judoka managed to get on the scoreboard just before to the bout’s halfway point, and successfully defended his ... Read more

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Julien Frascadore and Evelyn Beaton led off the action on Monday at the Judo World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, where the Canadian team will take on the world’s top competitors. For Frascadore, who captured gold at the Commonwealth Games this past summer, Monday marked only his second World Championships appearance at the elite level. Competing in the men’s under-66 kg division, he began his day with a first-round victory over Jusuf Nurkovic of Montenegro. The Québécois scored e... Read more

Today we get to have an insight into the mind of Eugene, a judoka whose story embodies resilience, determination, and the true spirit of martial arts. Eugene shortly after coming out of hospital with his family His journey hasn’t been straightforward — it’s been shaped by years of training, a deep love for grappling arts, a life‑changing health scare, and an inspiring comeback that led him all the way to earning his black belt. Eugene trains with Causeway Judo at North Coast Grapplin... Read more

Don’t forget to Register before the 15th October 2026 – this event is Free of Charge. IJA Members & IJA Coaches Only – 2026 Valid Licence Required 📅Date: Saturday, 17th October 2026 🥋Venue: Waterford Judo Club, Unit 21 Westside Business Park, Old Kilmeaden Road, X91 YR7F 🕒Times: Schedule for the day above for attending coaches ✏️Register Online to attend via Google Forms: https://forms.gle/GdfzPjfrst998nEp9 This Education & Training Seminar is funded by the Department of Rural and Community ... Read more

We’re a good few weeks into the autumn term now. The habits are starting to Read more The post Technique First – Five Technical Drills appeared first on Judo Books by Koka Kids . Read more

The last National Grading of the year took place last Sunday the 27th of September 2026 in Phibblestown, Dublin. There were nearly 80 people on the mat competing or taking part in Assessments or KATA demonstration. We have some new female & male obtaining their 1st Dan as well as members being promoted to 2nd Dan – congratulations everyone! The next National Grading will be the 25th of April 2027 in Phibblestown, Dublin. The post Congratulations to our Dan Grades – National Dan Grading 27t... Read more

The Irish Team representing Ireland at the recent World Veterans Championships in Sarajevo 2026 have returned home safely securing a Silver for Lydia and a Bronze for Dermot. Lydia has written a short report for the event which can be found here   The post World Veterans Sarajevo 2026 – Report from Lydia first appeared on Irish Judo Association . Read more

Every Monday, I send printable technique cards to everyone via the Koka Kids Newsletter. The Read more The post Judo Techniques for Beginners with Printable Technique Cards appeared first on Judo Books by Koka Kids . Read more

World Championships Baku 2026 Joshua Green has been selected to compete at the World Championships in Baku 2026 – Joshua fights on Tuesday the 6th October 2026 in the U73kg Mens Category. We wish Joshua the very best for the World Championships More Details are available on the IJF Website The post World Championships 2026 Baku – Selection Joshua Green first appeared on Irish Judo Association . Read more

Four medals , including a world title, mark Judo Canada’s best-ever performance at the Cadet World Championships Canadian judo reached a historic milestone at the 2026 Cadet World Championships in Guayaquil, Ecuador , as Team Canada captured four individual medals — one gold, one silver and two bronze — for the best performance in Judo Canada’s history at the Cadet World Championships. The historic medal haul was led by Anes Mati, who was crowned Cadet World Champion in the -66 kg cate... Read more

Over the past few months, Judo Canada has welcomed several new members to its team. Coming from diverse backgrounds, Erika Miranda, David Flecha Díez, Yohan Van Langendonck and now Jérôme Tinarelli are strengthening the organization in key areas ranging from athlete development and high performance to communications and the Canadian judo development pathway. These additions reflect Judo Canada’s commitment to continuing to enhance the support provided to athletes, coaches, clubs and the e... Read more

A Huge Congratulations to Team Ireland Irish Judo members Shea Magee, Chloe Finlay, Diathí Coney and coach Peggy Magee on a very successful Get Together Tournament in Gdansk Poland. The team members brought home 2 Silver and 1 Bronze Medal at the competition 26th to 27th September 2026. Both Shea & ‘Daithí moved up in their age brackets this year and faced a tougher classification this year fighting against some older players, Coach Peggy Magee noted the players showed ‘ Showed grit and dete... Read more

Canada was one of the best-represented nations this weekend at the World Kata Championships in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Canadian duo Valentina Millan Rincon and Zoey Marie McIntosh stepped on the podium for a bronze medal in the Under-21 Ju-no-kata division. The Ontarians’ performance in the final earned them 351 points, a scant 0.5 more than Spanish pair Sara Fernandez Martinez and Alvaro Sanchez Resino, who finished just off the podium. Team Italy’s Sara Orlanda and Giul... Read more

The Welsh Judo Association is saddened to learn of the passing of Allan McGuinness, who died suddenly on 19 September 2026 at the age of 79. Allan was a familiar and highly involved figure within Welsh judo for many years, contributing to the sport from the late 1970s through to the mid-2000s. During his time in judo, Allan held a number of important roles, including Senior Club Coach, Senior Examiner and BJA Referee, and achieved the grade of 4th Dan. He also served Welsh Judo for a number ... Read more

We worked on Ippon-Seoi-Nage and Leg Extraction. Azyana and Aleeya joined our club! Read more

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It was a marathon day with a disappointing end for Priscilla Gagné at the World Para-Judo Championships in Tbilisi (Day 1). The Ontarian judoka had her heart set on a podium in the Under-52-kg division, but a bronze medal match against a tough opponent would relegate her to fifth place. In the aforementioned match, Gagné faced Spain’s Maria Manzanero Ruiz, a judoka who’s currently ranked fifth in the world in their weight class. The early moments of the bout showed the kind of heated ... Read more

Not every throw is perfect. Sometimes a child throws their opponent, but the landing isn’t Read more The post What Is a Waza-ari in Judo? The Half Score Explained appeared first on Judo Books by Koka Kids . Read more

Women in Sport – Congratulations Lydia Ritchie – Silver Medal A great day for women in judo – Lydia Ritchie Amaze Athlone Judo Club won a Sivler Medal at the IJF World Veteran Judo Championships 2026. Lydia has cemented a Life Long Journey in Judo by adding another medal to her collection! Congratulations Lydia The post Women in Sport – Congratulations Lydia Ritchie – Silver Medal first appeared on Irish Judo Association . Read more

Welsh Judo was proud to host the 2026 British National Kata Championships in Cardiff on Sunday 6 September, welcoming kata competitors, judges and officials from across British Judo for a hugely successful day at Wales’ National Dojo.With 40 entries competing across senior and youth kata categories, the Championships showcased the continued growth and development of kata across Britain, with increasingly close scores and a high standard of performances throughout the day.The Welsh Judo A... Read more

Judo Canada is pleased to announce that Winnipeg, Manitoba, has been selected to host the 2028, 2029 and 2030 Open National Championships, following a competitive national bid process. The successful bid was submitted by Winnipeg Economic Development & Tourism, in partnership with Judo Manitoba, with the support of the University of Winnipeg. This three-year commitment will bring Canada’s largest annual judo event to the heart of the country and establish a strong partnership between Judo... Read more

The Irish Judo Association will be very well represented at the Sarajevo World Championships Veterans which gets underway from the 20th to the 24th September 2026 in Bosnia & Herzegovina. The Association has a team of 11 judoka entered accross multiple categories: Kris Kavanagh, Daniel Grimley, Brian McGilloway – Renbukan Judo Club Sumit Parmar – Yoroi Dojo Paul Cummins, James Ward, Alexandru Aldea, Brian Killeen, Dermot Killeen – Paul Cummins School of Judo John Dennis – Lusk Judo Club Lydia... Read more

IJA Referee & Coach Seminar September 2026 The Refereeing Commission held a referee & coach seminar on the 13th September with morning and afternoon sessions both in the classroom and on the mat. Topics discussed in the morning were IJF new rules, Yuko v No Yuko, Neck Injuries – causation & prevention, Advanced Kumi Kata & grip breaks, an overview of Adaptive Rules and a general discussion on Matsumoto roll. The afternoon session was dedicated to the CARE System – position & function of the ... Read more

Three Canadian judokas reached the second step of the podium in their respective weight classes on Sunday, as the Pan-American Open in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, came to a close.  Artem Neyolov  (-81 kg),  Guillaume Gaulin  (-90 kg), and  Melody Grenier  (-57 kg) will all return home sporting silver medals. Three Canadian judokas reached the second step of the podium in their respective weight classes on Sunday, as the Pan-American Open in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, ca... Read more

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On Saturday, Canada’s judokas enjoyed another action-packed tournament at the Pan-American Open in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, wrapping up the day with a total of nine medals, including three gold captured by  Carla Van Zyl  (-63 kg),  Missy Jen Dorval Mbele  (-70 kg), and  Fahd Fithane  (-73 kg). Van Zyl and Fithane concluded the day in similar fashion, each of them pitted against fellow Canadians in their final matches of the tournament. Van Zyl, of British Columbia, defeated... Read more

Following Thursday’s strong performances from junior athletes, the Canadian cadet team picked up the torch in fine style Friday at the Pan American Cup in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Canadian judokas brought the day to a close with a total of seven medals: four gold, one silver, and two bronze. Roman Semyrozum (in white) at the Cadet World Championships. Roman Semyrozum  continued yesterday’s winning ways with a gold in the Under 66 kg division. Semyrozym, the World Cadet vi... Read more

You look away for one second, and when you look back the referee has an Read more The post What Is an Ippon in Judo? The Score That Ends the Match appeared first on Judo Books by Koka Kids . Read more

You’ve driven across town to a sports hall. Your child disappears into a sea of Read more The post Watching Your Child’s First Judo Competition: A Parent’s Guide appeared first on Judo Books by Koka Kids . Read more

Women in Sport – Join Our Journey in Judo 2026/2027 The Irish Judo Association via its’ Women in Sport Commission led by Ellie Dennis secured further Women in Sport Funding from Sport Ireland in July 2026 for the coming 12 months. The funding will assist with the continuation of the ‘Join Our Journey in Judo’ campaign to integrate girls and women into a lifelong journey in judo. Ellie Dennis as Chair and lead of the Women in Sport programme will engage with clubs in the coming 12 months ahea... Read more

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The Northern Ireland Judo Federation is proud to congratulate Spartan Judo Club on the opening of their new full‑time dojo — a landmark achievement that arrives as the club approaches its 10‑year anniversary in 2027. This moment marks a decade of determination, community spirit, and continuous development within the Portadown, Craigavon and beyond areas. Founded in 2017 by Head Coach Jozsef Balogh, Spartan Judo Club began with a single weekly class and just five children. Reflecting... Read more

Congratulations to Chris on being awarded his 7th Dan, following submission to the International Judo Federation (IJF).   A significant milestone and recognition of his longstanding commitment and contribution to judo. Well done, Chris. 🥋 The post Congratulations Chris Hickey 7th Dan first appeared on Irish Judo Association . Read more

In this post, I’d like to spotlight, Charlotte Potter, 5th Dan, GB International and Head Read more The post Interview: Charlotte Potter on Growing Ippon Judo London while Keeping Admin Simple appeared first on Judo Books by Koka Kids . Read more

This is how we develop a Family of Techniques for newaza. Read more

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The Welsh Judo Association is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Istvan Babos , a hugely respected figure within Newport Judo Club and the wider Welsh judo community. Steve passed away in hospital on 7 August 2026, just three weeks short of his 90th birthday, following a fall at home. Born in Hungary in 1936, Steve came to the United Kingdom as a refugee at the age of 20. He moved to Newport in 1958, where he joined Newport Judo Club and began an association with the club that ... Read more

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Join us for the 3rd Jita Kyoei Open Practice hosted at Shojin Judo on August 22nd from 12:30 to 3:30 pm Read more

Join us for the second part of this clinic on Kumi Kata and Attack Patterns. Read more

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How did you get the opportunity? Having volunteered at the previous two Commonwealth Games held in the UK — Glasgow 2014 and Birmingham 2022 — I was eagerly waiting for applications to open in September 2025. A detailed selection process followed, involving a number of different tasks and assessments. Thousands of people applied, and in March 2026 I was delighted to be offered a role at the Games. What does your volunteering role involve? At these Games, I will be working as the Internat... Read more

Reminder – All paperwork is due July 23, 2026 Date: Sunday August 23, 2026 Time: Registration: 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm, Clinic: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Location: IPPON Martial Arts, 16735 Ridge Road, Northville, MI 48168 Registration Fee: $20 All candidates must submit all their paperwork by July 23, 2026. Submit paperwork to Frances Glaze, […] Read more

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The Welsh Judo Association is delighted to announce the appointment of Natalie Powell to its newly created Head of Performance and Pathway position, following a competitive recruitment process.  Powell brings a unique combination of world-class competitive experience and a deep understanding of the Welsh judo system across a 25-year career. Having started her journey at Irfon Judo Club, she went on to become Wales’ most successful judoka, culminating in winning gold at the Glasgow 2014 C... Read more

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The Welsh Judo Association is proud to recognise the induction of Natalie Powell as inductee number 217 into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame. The honour was presented at last week’s Road to Glasgow: Team Wales with the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame event at the Parkgate Hotel in Cardiff, recognising a career that has helped define Welsh judo on the global stage.   Natalie’s journey is one of sustained excellence at the very highest level of international competition. Competing in the -78kg cat... Read more

The ever popular North Yorkshire Festival on the 28th June was once again held at York.An event that year on year proves to be very popular with players of all ages from 8 years  old. In the region of 200 competitors took part in the event across 3 mats, doing their best to show off their judo skills. We also saw presentions for young player of the year for 2025 & Mike Leng recognised for decades of voluntary service to area judo.  There were also referee assessments for a few of the volunte... Read more

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The Welsh Judo Association is seeking a passionate and committed volunteer to support the continued development of technical officiating across Wales. Welsh Judo Association Technical Officials Representative Technical officials play a vital role in the successful delivery of judo competitions. From timekeepers and scorers to recorders and competition controllers, they help ensure events are delivered safely, fairly, and professionally. The Technical Officials Representative will act as ... Read more

Welsh Judo is pleased to announce the athletes selected to represent Wales at the British National Team Championships 2026, taking place on Saturday 4 July 2026. The annual event brings together some of the best young judoka from across the Home Nations, competing as teams in a unique format that rewards both individual excellence and collective team spirit. The Welsh squad features athletes from clubs across the country, reflecting the strength and depth of the Welsh performance pathway... Read more

It is my great honor, on behalf of the United States Judo Federation, to congratulate Corinne Shigemoto on her induction into the U.S. Judo Hall of Fame. Read more

The Welsh Judo Association is proud to announce the selection of eight judoka who will represent Wales at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, marking a significant milestone for the athletes, their coaches, clubs and the wider Welsh judo community. The squad showcases the strength and depth of Welsh judo, bringing together Commonwealth Games experience, World Class Performance Programme athletes, British champions, international medallists and some of the country’s most exciting emergin... Read more

The United States Judo Federation extends its sincere appreciation to Dr. Ron Tripp, USA Judo CEO Corinne Shigemoto and USJF Executive Director Robert for their collaboration in establishing this reciprocal membership agreement. Read more