English Judo Blogs

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Montréal, August 12th, 2025 – John Jr Messé A Bessong captured bronze on Tuesday in the over-100 kg category at the Junior Pan American Games in Asunción, Paraguay. Photo Antoine Bouchard John Jr Messé A Bessong The 20-year-old athlete defeated Chile’s Patricio Urra in the bronze medal match. He scored a yuko early in the bout and secured his place on the podium with an ippon in the late stages of the encounter. “He showed up fully prepared. He had set his mind on winning this me... Read more

Australian judoka Katharina Haecker announced via social media to retire from competitive judo. The 33-year old number seven of the last World Championships in Budapest competed at three Olympic Games and nine World Championships. Read more

The Győr European Judo Hopes Tournament & Technical Sessions is soon to get underway, taking place between 16–17 August. This is the fifth stop on the European Judo Hopes Tour and it promises to keep the momentum rolling with an unforgettable mix of competition and learning. Leading the way will be Aleksandar Kukolj, Serbia’s 2017 European Champion in the -90 kg category and silver medallist at the 2021 World Championships in the -100 kg. Known for his sharp tactics and ability to adapt, ... Read more

Charlie Thibault and Carla Van Zyl are awarded bronze medals Montréal, August 11th, 2025 – Arthur Karpukov won silver on Monday in the under-81 kg category at the Junior Pan American Games in Asunción, Paraguay. His teammates Charlie Thibault and Carla Van Zyl reached the third step of the podium. Photo Antoine Bouchard Arthur Karpukov After winning his opening bout, the 20-year-old Montreal native overcame Argentina’s Alem Yuma in the semi-finals but was caught off guard by Bra... Read more

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The reigning World Champion from 1979 in Paris was Kiyoto Katsuki of Japan, who had beaten Italy’s Ezio Gamba to win the gold there. But Japan was not in Moscow for the Olympics because of the US-led boycott. This automatically elevated Gamba to becoming the top favorite. But another top favorite was Britain’s Neil Adams, who had gotten bronze at the 1979 Paris Worlds. Read more

Whether you're a right-hander or a left-hander, you will be more used to fighting righties. Why? Because there are naturally far more right-handed people than left-handed people (about 90% of people are naturally right-handed). Read more

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North Macedonia will remember 2025 as one of the strongest and thrilling years for the judo federation, hosting cadet, junior and senior athletes, not only for annual events, but for major championships and of course, the European Youth Olympic Festival. Now with just under six weeks to go, the federation of North Macedonia are preparing once again, this time for the Senior European Cup on the 20th and 21st of September in the Jane Sandanski Arena. Registration is open for only four mor... Read more

© 2025, Pedro Kolychkine, all rights reserved. Pedro Kolychkine Judo Biography Pedro Kolychkine was born in 1964, started his Judo practice with his grandfather in Havana, Cuba at an early age. When speaking of historical and philosophical perspective as it relates to Pedro, one must first mention that he is carrying his grandfather’s legacy. The […] Read more

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The European Judo Union has released its 2026 calendar , featuring most of the continental championships now confirmed. Fans, national federations, and clubs can start planning for another exciting year of top-level judo action across Europe. EJU-Calendar-2026-Version-01-of-August-05-2025 Download The post The EJU 2026 Calendar Is Here! appeared first on European Judo Union . Read more

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Since her Olympic bronze medal win, Maria CENTRACCHIO of Italy has been recognised for her sporting accomplishments and through her position with the police, has been able to help more and more young women, whether it be through health discussions or gender discrimination, she has been able to use her experience and own stories to guide others and let them know they aren’t alone. That wasn’t the case for Maria following the Olympic Games in Tokyo however, as she found herself in a confus... Read more

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The European Judo Union is pleased to announce that the Austrian federal government will continue to provide financial support for the EJU Head Office in Vienna for at least the next three years, through to the end of 2027. This encouraging commitment was confirmed during a recent meeting between EJU Secretary General Martin Poiger and Austria’s State Secretary for Sport, Michaela Schmidt. “Austria is interested in hosting important international and European sports federations, and ... Read more

Throughout the judo world we have families, coaches and athletes, referees, officials and committee members. Regardless where we find them, they’re a heavy presence, and continue in Team Serbia. A rising star, Aleksandra ANDRIC took the -70kg European Youth Olympic Festival gold just last month, completing her cadet level collection. Not only this but the young athlete has already achieved success at higher levels, with continental medals at both junior and senior level. Aleksandra ... Read more

From the cobbled streets of Rome to the soft tatami of Scuola Judo Tomita , Licia Maristella has flipped expectations, quite literally, about ageing, strength, and the power of sport. At 76 years old, while most people might be settling into quieter routines, Licia stepped onto a judo mat for the first time. Today, at 85, she is not only still going strong, she is inspiring generations. Her journey didn’t begin with a grand plan or a lifelong ambition. In fact, judo had never even crossed... Read more

On August 30 and 31, the Cracow Judo Open will mark its fifth anniversary with what promises to be its biggest and most competitive edition yet. Held in the AWF Sports Hall in the heart of Kraków, the tournament has grown into the largest international judo event in the Małopolska region and one of the strongest in all of Poland. Read more

As the Get Together Tour prepares to make its next stop in Győr , we sat down with Megyeri László, one of the passionate coaches behind the Hungarian adapted judo team. In his calm and grounded presence, it’s clear that coaching for him is about people, dignity, and a kind of joy that only sport can offer. “These are special people,” Megyeri says without hesitation when asked what makes this tournament so important to him and his athletes. “Special people, special judoka. That’s what make... Read more

© 2025, Katsuo Watanabe, all rights reserved. Katsuo Watanabe Judo Biography Sensei Watanabe has devoted his life to judo with a significant impact on the development of Judo in the Northeast of the United States and beyond. Over six decades, his contributions span Tournament leadership, coaching, program administration, instruction and the development of judo. Sensei […] Read more

© 2025, Arjun Ramesh, all rights reserved Steve Viera “The USJF Lifetime Achievement Award (“LAA”) recognizes the local heroes of Judo, those who have worked behind the scenes for Judo but without whom Judo would be a pale shadow of what it should be.” Intermountain Yudanshakai nominates Sensei Steven "Steve" Viera for the prestigious LAA […] Read more

© 2025 Don Johnson, all rights reserved. Janet Yoshie Ashida Johnson Judo Beginnings Janet began her Judo training at the Ann Arbor Judo Club in 1968 at the age of 10 under the instruction of her father, Dr. Sachio Ashida. When Miss Keiko Fukuda visited the Ashida family that year, she taught Janet the first […] Read more

© 2025, Tom Sheehan, all rights reserved. Tom Sheehan Judo Biography A Lifetime of Judo and Leadership Tom Sheehan has dedicated over five decades to the art and sport of Judo, making a profound impact as an instructor, referee, administrator, and mentor. His unwavering commitment to Judo has shaped the lives of countless Judoka and […] Read more

Kanō Jigorō comments to Summer Training Course, August 1899 (summary, not verbatim)嘉納師範の暑中稽古の初日に於ける講話大意　(明治三二年） This is a bit of history from 126 years ago seems appropriate for this summer, given the fact that this is the hottest summer in living memory in Japan. A couple of places nearby Tokyo reached 41.8°C today. For us Americans and the … Continue reading Kano shihan on Summer Training – August 1899 → Read more

The Welsh Judo Association is please to announce and congratulate Andrew Burt on the award of his 6th Dan. Andrew’s promotion is a reflection of decades of dedicated service to Judo, both on and off the tatami. From representing Great Britain as an athlete to shaping the future of Welsh Judo through his coaching, officiating, and leadership roles, Andrew’s contribution is exceptional. Throughout his judo journey, Andy has worn many hats, including: GB Squad Member (1984–198... Read more

Maintal is calling and for Europe’s veteran judoka, the answer comes with a packed judogi and a determined heart. After the summer break, the Veteran Tour will return to action on 27–28 September, bringing the spirit of lifelong competition back to the tatami in this welcoming German town. The official outlines are now online, and the journey to Maintal begins in earnest. Official Outlines: https://www.eju.net/download-file?parentId=348156&id=388000 The veteran circuit is a celebrat... Read more

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Cadet and Junior Asian Cups – Hong Kong and Macau (19 – 27 July) 7 Budokan athletes left for Hong Kong on 17th July where they met up with the 4 Budokan Juniors who had fought in Europe.  Read more

Junior European Cup, Paks, Hungary –(12 – 13 July) In the last Newsletter I reported on our 4 Juniors (U/21s) who had competed in the Prague Junior European Cup (EC). Read more

Well done to Alex Lee who had the opportunity to compete at the 2025 Auckland International Open competition in New Zealand in Cadets where he won a Silver medal. He also competed in Junior Men but was unplaced.  Read more

The event is now confirmed with all invited guests accepting our invitation. Read more

One month to go!!   With the success of the last Budokan competition, we will be holding the next Mons (U/9s) and Junior (U/11s) club competition on 31st August. If any of our U/9s or U/11s weren’t able to make the last competition, here is your opportunity to shine. Read more

Entries for this event are now open. The competition will be held between 26 and 28 September at Chandler Arena (Sleeman Rd, Chandler), same venue as last year. Read more

We wish a number of our members well for the upcoming Judo NSW State Dan (Black Belt) grading on Sunday 17th August. Presenting for San-Dan (3rd Dan): Nathan and Josh Katz, Andras Koltai, Franz Tandean Presenting for Sho-Dan (1st Dan): Bianca Tandean Read more

On Wednesday 24th September, we will begin a second Senior Beginner/Fundamentals/recreation class to mirror the existing Monday 8.00pm class. The new session will be run every Wednesday from 7.15pm to 8.45 pm. Read more

It has been part of the Budokan culture for many years for Seniors who have the ability to arrive early for their sessions, to support the Juniors in the last 30 minutes of the Tuesday and Thursday Junior classes, when they primarily do randori. This has a number of benefits. Read more

The latest Junior European Cup concluded this past weekend in Skopje. While most delegations remain in North Macedonia for the three-day training camp, attention is already shifting to the upcoming Junior European Judo Championships 2025 , set to take place in Bratislava, Slovakia, from 4–7 September. Although this will be the first time Slovakia hosts the Junior European Championships, it is not the country’s first experience with continental judo events. Bratislava previously hosted the... Read more

Following a decade of hard work, perseverance and near-misses, Spanish judoka Laura Martinez Abelenda (26) finally stood on a senior World Championship podium, claiming bronze in the U48kg category in Budapest. It was a long-awaited reward for one of Spain’s most determined judokas, who has carried the country’s hopes in the lightest women’s weight category since the Tokyo Olympic cycle. Shortly after her podium finish, Martinez turned a new page in her personal life too, she married fellow ... Read more

Tommy Macias, a world silver medalist from Sweden, identified 5 things that made his judo better. We couldn't agree more with his points. Here are our thoughts on each of them. Read more

Randori in common parlance is "sparring". It's a very important part of judo training. Through randori, you get to test out your skills and see if you can get your techniques to work against a resisting partner. Read more

Fans van vechtsporten zoals judo, karate, taekwondo en mixed martial arts worden vaak gezien als toegewijde, strategisch denkende en gedisciplineerde mensen. Ze trainen op de tatami en in de sportschool, ontwikkelen technische vaardigheden, mentale weerstand en een scherp inzicht in timing en tactiek. Het is dan ook niet verrassend dat veel fans van vechtsporten zich op een gegeven moment aangetrokken voelen tot de wereld van online gokken, waarbij vergelijkbare mentale vaardigheden en strat... Read more

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Uchikomi is where you enter into a throw and load uke up for the throw but you don’t actually execute the throw. You stop short of actually throwing. Nagekomi is when you go through the entire motion, and finish the throw. Both are important for skills development. Uchikomi is especially useful when you are first learning a new throw. You don’t yet have the feel for the throw, so you need to do uchikomi to get a sense of how to enter into the throw. But uchikomi doesn’t actually give you the ... Read more

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Randori in common parlance is "sparring". It's a very important part of judo training. Through randori, you get to test out your skills and see if you can get your techniques to work against a resisting partner. Here are eight common randori mistakes players make that will prevent them from getting the most out of their randori experience: 1. Talking during randori. Randori is when you "play" judo. In sports, you spend some time doing technical training and drilling, and then you play the spo... Read more

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Judo Canada Sport-Études Club Training – INS Québec - Join the elite and reach your full potential! Where? At INS Québec – a world‑class training environment When? Registration now open for the 2025‑2026 school year For whom? Motivated high school athletes looking to balance education and high‑performance sport Train with a dynamic group and the best coaches in the country! Training Schedule: Judo: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 2:15 PM to 3:45 PM Gym: Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, 1:30 ... Read more

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Fighting Fitness Judo Hosts a Rainy but Resilient Community Celebration in Knaphill Despite the rain, the spirit of the Woking and Knaphill community shone through. On Saturday 19th July, Fighting Fitness Judo hosted the Knaphill Community Day to mark its 10-year anniversary — and what started as a wet and uncertain morning quickly turned into a joyful, energetic celebration. A Little Rain, a Lot of Resilience As a mother of two boys, a former Commonwealth Games Champion, and co-founder of F... Read more

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From Wednesday 16th to Friday 18th July 2025, the third Olympic Potential Training Camp of the year took place at the British Judo Centre of Excellence in Walsall. The Northern Ireland Judo Federation’s National Talent and Identification Development Programme (NIJF NITDP) was in attendance at the intensive three-day camp, joining a select group of Britain’s top judoka. Representing the NIJF was senior -66kg athlete Ewan Murray, alongside Performance Lead Coach Sarah Barritt. Ewan is ... Read more

Different clubs have different belt grading criteria. At some competitive clubs, the basis for grading is how well you do in competition. If you win lots of medals, you get promoted. At other clubs, it could be based on attendance. You've been in the club for a certain length of time, and have trained for a certain number of sessions, so you get promoted. At KL Judo, we believe that for an adult judoka to be promoted, there should be several objective and subjective components that are consid... Read more

National Teams 2025 – Yorkshire Returns! In 2025 we entered teams into the National teams competition. I'd expent my thanks to all those involved in making this happen, Dave Dunsford taking resposibility for overall management. Caroline Brayson and Liam Doody supporting players with team sessions prior to event and guiding them through the event on the day. Of course thanks to players and parents for getting behind the project and providing so much enthusiasm! Ben George, Y&H Chair. What foll... Read more

Char's report, presented to the 2025 AGM in June. Not a bad year for the area, with successes across the spectrum of Judo. We purchased modern scoreboards a few years back and in 2024 we added video replay for the referees (CARE) which proved a solid and popular investment when first used at the annual Sheffield University Kyu grade Tournament. We continue to see individuals from the area representing the area within the BJA, Caroline Brayson joining the Veterans Commission and Ben George joi... Read more

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The Irish Judo Association wishes to formally announce the resignations of Mr Kevin Fitzmaurice, Chair of the Refereeing Commission, and Mr Eddie O’Loughlin, Secretary of the Commission. We extend our sincere thanks to Kevin and Eddie for their outstanding service and dedication to the refereeing community within Irish Judo. Their leadership and commitment have played a key role in shaping the current refereeing structure, and we wish them both continued success in their future endeavours. A ... Read more

This is a unique opportunity to lead a values-driven, ambitious National Governing Body through the final phase of its current strategic cycle. We’re looking for an inspiring and experienced leader to take up the role of CEO at the Welsh Judo Association. You’ll lead a small but dedicated team, help shape the future of Welsh Judo, and drive forward our vision of judo as a force for individual and social transformation. Working closely with the Board of Directors, Sport Wales, a... Read more

On behalf of the Irish Judo Association, I wish to express my deepest sympathies on the passing of Joan Kennedy Kelly. Joan was not only a passionate advocate for archery and woman in sport, she was also a good friend to many of us in the judo community. Her warmth, energy, and dedication were truly remarkable. Even during her illness, Joan continued to give so much of herself to the sport she loved—a reflection of her incredible strength and character. I was privileged to know Joan personall... Read more

As part of her journey supported by the Women in Sport programme and the IJA Referee Commission , Sarah O’Gara recently officiated at the Venray International Judo Tournament 2025 , one of Europe’s largest youth judo events. Held in the Netherlands, the tournament celebrated its 50th anniversary with over 1,500 competitors across U10s to Seniors, and Sarah was among a select team of international referees across eight tatami areas . Sarah’s report highlights both the technical depth of the to... Read more

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15 Fun (and Screen-Free) Summer Activities for Kids in Woking (Plus a Powerful Way to Build Confidence and Focus This Holiday) When school’s out, screen time goes way up . Without the structure of a school day, many children (especially between ages 5–12) end up spending their holidays glued to tablets, TVs, or game consoles. As tempting as screens are, they often lead to increased anxiety, disrupted sleep, reduced physical activity, and meltdowns when it’s time to unplug. That’s why we’ve p... Read more

Montréal, July 13, 2025 –  Yehor Paladii  earned the best result from among Team Canada’s judokas on the second day of judo action at the Junior European Cup in Paks, Hungary. Competing in the Under 100kg class, Paladii finished in fifth place, after having posted two wins and two losses. Photo EJU – Photographer: Gyula Molnár In the bronze medal round, the Canadian had his first bout against Serbian Lazar Zdrale – the athlete who had won a gold medal one week earlier in Prague. Sad... Read more

Montréal, July 12, 2025 – Following a performance that fell short of her expectations last week in Prague,  Catherine Toshkov  worked hard to ensure she was in top form for the European Cup this weekend in Paks, Hungary. The Québécoise’s efforts paid off, as she clinched a bronze medal in the under-63 kg category on Saturday. Photo Judo Canada Catherine Toshkov In her final bout, Toshkov swiftly dispatched of Serbia’s Jelena Nisavic, requiring only ten seconds to secure the win. ... Read more

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for last night’s Grading Seminar! 🙏✨ It was fantastic to see so much lively discussion around best practices for grading our members from Mon to Kyu levels. We really hope you enjoyed it and found it helpful! 😊 For anyone who couldn’t make it, no worries — you can catch up by watching the  recording here  🎥💬 Grading Seminar Presentation 09.07.2025 Club Grading Form 2025 The post Grading Seminar – Walkthrough from Minor to Senior held 9th July 202... Read more

In a landmark show of unity and purpose, the Judo Home Nations, British Judo, JudoScotland, England Judo, Welsh Judo, and the Northern Ireland Judo Federation, have officially signed the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration, reinforcing their collective commitment to gender equity in sport. The Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration, established by the International Working Group (IWG) on Women and Sport, is a globally recognised framework that promotes the full involvement of women and gi... Read more

In a landmark show of unity and purpose, the Judo Home Nations, British Judo, JudoScotland, England Judo, Welsh Judo, and the Northern Ireland Judo Federation, have officially signed the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration, reinforcing their collective commitment to gender equity in sport. The Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration, established by the International Working Group (IWG) on Women and Sport, is a globally recognised framework that promotes the full involvement of women and gir... Read more

Montréal, July 6, 2025 –  John Jr Messé A Bessong  showcased the full extent of his talent at the Junior European Cup in Prague, Czech Republic, on Sunday, in his first continental competition since November 2024. And although the Québécois was defeated in the quarter-finals by the future gold medallist, he kept his chin up, ultimately claiming the third spot on the podium in the over-100 kg weight category. Photo : EJU – Photographer: Vojtěch Pazdera In the bronze medal final, Mess... Read more

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Building Character Through Judo’s Values This week’s featured book, “Jigoro Kano and the Moral Code” Read more The post Jigoro Kano and the Moral Code: How Judo Helps Children Develop Focus and Self-Control appeared first on Judo Books by Koka Kids . Read more

Montréal, July 5, 2025 –  Charlie Thibault  obtained Canada’s best result of the day at the Junior European Cup in Prague, Czech Republic, on Saturday, finishing fifth in the under-70 kg weight class. And although she did not earn her coveted spot on the podium, she did gain a wealth of experience over the course of the day. Photo EJU – Photographer: Vojtěch Pazdera Charlie Thibault In her late-afternoon bronze medal final, Thibault found herself up against Ukraine’s Anna Oliinyk-Ko... Read more

Date: Sunday September 21, 2025 Time: Registration: 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm, Clinic: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Location: Ronaldo Candido Academy Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, 22002 Novi Rd Novi, Michigan. 48375 Registration Fee: $20 All candidates must submit all their paperwork by August 24, 2025. Submit paperwork to Frances Glaze, Chair of Konan Board of Examiners, […] Read more

Canada collects five medals in Saint-Dominique Montréal, June 29th, 2025 – Canadian judokas Coralie Godbout (-78 kg) and Justin Lemire (-73 kg) stole the show at the Pan American Open in Saint-Dominique, Dominican Republic, with their gold medal performances. Photo Evelyn Beaton, Justin Lemire, Laurence Biron, Isabelle Harris et Coralie Godbout Godbout won her first duel by ippon against Puerto Rican Sairy Colon and overcame Guatemalan Keilly Esteban before facing Colombian B... Read more

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and driven coach to lead preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting athlete qualification, preparation, and matside coaching for judoka aiming to represent Team Wales. Working closely with the National Coach and WJA staff, the role offers a chance to make a meaningful impact on performance outcomes at a major multi-sport event. Location : Cardiff-based with domestic an... Read more

The summer holidays present a unique challenge for parents of young judoka. As structured school Read more The post Summer Judo Reading for Kids: Top 5 Judo Books For Judoka appeared first on Judo Books by Koka Kids . Read more

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14th and 15th of June saw players from around country converge on York for our Senior & Veterans events. From Scotland, Cornwall and even Portugal & Gibraltar ! A competition ( results ) on Saturday followed by a competitive dan grading ( results ) on the Sunday, a whole lot of points won by players towards their respective grades. Alongside the points winners were the lower grades competing, for many of whom it was their first competition.  Read more

a) Tenri Grip Version b) Arm Drag Version c) Osoto-Makikomi Read more

a) 3-Step Motion b) 1-Step Motion c) Sode Grip Version Read more

To All Members & Clubs Please note we are aware an email purporting to be sent to members from the IJA President Sylvia O’Flynn with the title ‘ President – Irish Judo shared “Irishjudoassociation Invoice Statement” with you ‘ is in circulation. This is a SPAM email and should be ignored and deleted. We have informed our IT Department of same. Deirdre IJA Office 25.06.2025 13.16pm The post **Urgent** Spam email from President Irish Judo Association first appeared on Irish Judo Association . Read more

Inspiring the Next Generation of Referees and Officials at Doraiba Judo Last weekend’s Level 1 competition at Doraiba Judo Club was not only a fantastic opportunity for young judoka to step onto the tatami—but also a major development moment for our next generation of referees and table officials. With guidance from Wendy Allan , Gareth Piper , and a dedicated team of officials, six young novice referees had their first chance to put their new skills into practice. The even... Read more

We’re excited to share that Sport Ireland has announced a significant €4 million investment into the Women in Sport (WIS) Programme , reaffirming a national commitment to gender equity in sport. The head of Women in Sport Programme for Irish Judo Association, Ellie Dennis,  was present at the recent photocall celebrating this announcement — you can view the official event images here: 📸 Photocall Images – Sportsfile 📰 Read the full press release here: Ministers Announce €4m Funding for WIS Pr... Read more

Date: Sunday August 24, 2025 Time: Registration: 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm, Clinic: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Location: Ronaldo Candido Academy Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, 22002 Novi Rd Novi, Michigan. 48375 Registration Fee: $20 All candidates must submit all their paperwork by July 24, 2025. Submit paperwork to Frances Glaze, Chair of Konan Board of Examiners, […] Read more

Published: June 23, 2025 The Challenge: Reducing Judo Dropout Rates Among Young Practitioners Judo offers Read more The post Keeping Kids Engaged in Judo: Preventing Dropout Through Continuous Learning and Motivation appeared first on Judo Books by Koka Kids . Read more

National Training Centre – Next Gen Coach Information Read more

Montréal, June 18, 2025 –  Kyle Reyes , the last Canadian to hit the tatamis at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, saw his day come to an end when he was defeated by the future under-100 kg world champion on Wednesday. Photo: IJF, Tamara Kulumbegashvili Kyle Reyes (in blue) fighting against Matvey Kanikovskiy (in white). Reyes began his day with an overtime victory by ippon over Serbia’s Bojan Dosen, before being eliminated by neutral athlete Matvey Kanikovskiy, who won ... Read more

The Irish Judo Association is delighted to share the successful Dan grade promotions from the National Grading held on Sunday, 8th June 2025 . We congratulate all judoka who have advanced in grade. These promotions reflect the dedication, technical excellence, and spirit of judo that each of you brings to the tatami. Thank you to all the coaches, examiners, and volunteers who supported the day and helped make it a smooth and successful event. We look forward to seeing our newest Dan grades co... Read more

Judo Education for Kids: Get activity sheets to accompany the Koka Kids Books Hi, it’s Read more The post Judo Education for Kids: Activity Sheet for Learning Hold-Downs appeared first on Judo Books by Koka Kids . Read more

Mastering the Foundations of Groundwork Skills in Judo For young judoka looking to strengthen their Read more The post 10 Judo Hold Downs: Essential Groundwork Skills | Koka Kids Book of the Week appeared first on Judo Books by Koka Kids . Read more

Judo at Home: 7 Fun Exercises to Practice with Your Child  Judo is a journey Read more The post 7 Judo Exercises to Do at Home with Kids appeared first on Judo Books by Koka Kids . Read more

Shortly rolling out across the Northern Ireland Judo Clubs – Breakfalls for Life is a truly refreshing approach to mental fitness and wellbeing, especially for Judo players and beyond. The combination of movement, problem-solving, and play creates an engaging experience that stands apart from traditional mental health workshops. By integrating the principles of Judo and breakfalls (and falling safely), this workshop offers a unique way to empower individuals with self-care strategies... Read more

“Confidence Can’t Be Downloaded…”   This new Minecraft movie broke my concentration—and it broke my kids’ focus too. Here’s why it matters to you.   I might be late to the party—but my two energetic boys, after a lot of nagging, finally watched the latest Minecraft movie . And… honestly? It was an assault on the senses: Constant shouting Rapid-fire scene changes A barrage of colours, chaos, and noise … But worse? Because they had just watched the film, they wanted to play the game (a... Read more

Fighting Fitness Judo Takes 3rd Place at the Woking Dragon Boat Race! A Day of Teamwork, Community Spirit & Raising Over £600 for Woking Hospice This past Sunday at Goldsworth Park Lake , something special happened. Our team from Fighting Fitness Judo stepped off the mats and into the boats to take part in the annual Woking Dragon Boat Race — and it was a day filled with teamwork, fun, laughter… and even a podium finish! Out of 19 boats, our crew paddled their hearts out and proudly took 3r... Read more

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Below are links to all the techniques (tachi-waza and newaza) that you need to master in order to grade up to each belt: Yellow Orange Green Blue Brown Read more

Start Date: Mid-September 2025 📍 Location: University College Dublin (UCD), Belfield Campus UCD Judo Club is currently seeking a new head coach for the 2025–2026 academic year. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a vibrant and committed university judo club located on one of Ireland’s leading campuses. We are looking for an enthusiastic and qualified coach who can help develop the technical skills and competition readiness of our members while fostering a supportive and inclusive tra... Read more

The Irish Judo Association is pleased to publish the Points & Wins list for the All Ireland School Championships 2025 , which took place on Sunday, 25th May 2025 . This year’s championship was a celebration of youth judo, bringing together students from across the country for a day of spirited competition and excellent sportsmanship. 👏 A huge thank you to all players, schools, coaches, referees, volunteers, and supporters who made the event such a success. 📄 You can now view and download the... Read more

The Irish Judo Association held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2025 on Saturday, 31st May 2025 at Irish Sport HQ, Sport Ireland Campus . We would like to thank all members, club representatives, and delegates who took the time to attend and participate in the discussions on the future direction of Irish Judo. 📄 The AGM Report 2025 is now available for download and review in the Policy & Guidelines section of our website. Your continued support and engagement help us to build a stronger, mor... Read more

This National Coaching Week, we’re shining a light on a brilliant story that reminds us why coaching is about so much more than just sport. It’s about people, connections, and life-changing opportunities. Meet Thasan and Ashwin Yoganathan, a father and son from Wales whose journey into judo started in the most unexpected way. What began as a chance introduction soon turned into something much bigger. After moving back to Wales, Thasan took the plunge and committed to the spo... Read more

  This week, we’re excited to highlight an exceptional resource for young judokas who are Read more The post Book of the Week: Learn 20 Judo Combinations by Nik Fairbrother appeared first on Judo Books by Koka Kids . Read more

Judo Terminology: A Parent’s Guide to Understanding the Lingo    When your child begins their Read more The post Judo Terminology: A Parent’s Guide appeared first on Judo Books by Koka Kids . Read more

Confidence Isn’t Always Loud: Supporting Shy, Sensitive & Quiet Kids in a Loud World A guide for parents whose children feel deeply, think carefully, and need something a little different to grow “She just needs to speak up more.” “If he had a bit more confidence, he’d be fine.” “They’re too quiet to compete.” If you’ve ever heard those phrases about your child — or thought them yourself — you’re not alone. But here’s something we believe deeply at Fighting Fitness Judo : Confidence doesn’... Read more

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Why Kids Quit Things (and How to Help Them Stick With It) What judo teaches children about perseverance, progress, and showing up — even when it gets hard “I don’t want to go anymore.” If you’ve ever heard your child say that — about football, piano, swimming, gymnastics — and it came out of nowhere… You’re not alone. At first, they were excited. They loved their new uniform. They ran in smiling, buzzing with energy. But then, one week — something changed. And suddenly you’re stuck between ... Read more

In a world where screens compete for children’s attention and instant gratification is the norm, Read more The post Building Character Through Judo: How Becoming a Judoka Shapes Young Minds appeared first on Judo Books by Koka Kids . Read more

Helping Your Child Handle Big Emotions: A 5-Step Plan for Parents How martial arts can support emotional resilience and confidence in children It’s a familiar moment for many parents… Your child comes home from school, quiet… or explosive. Something didn’t go their way. Maybe a teacher was stern. A friend said something hurtful. Or maybe they’re just carrying the emotional weight of a long day. And suddenly — there it is: A meltdown “You don’t understand!” Or silence and shutdown If this s... Read more

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Here’s a quick reference guide to help you manage your Welsh Judo membership using Sport:80.  For Welsh Judo Membership & Account Help please see below: Welsh_Judo_Sport80_Help_Guide_Branded Download Please take a moment to log in to check your email and contact details are correct on sport80. If you have forgotten your password, click “forgot password” to reset by clicking here: https://welshjudo.com/new-renew-membership/ Clubs: Please pass this message on to members. We hav... Read more

At the weekend we had a number of players from our teams get together for a training session at Pudsey club led by Caroline Brayson. We got the team t-shirts sized up. Players did some drills, randori and games. Some discussion of rules. Great to see players putting in the work ahead of the national teams. It's coming together!   Read more

Whether you're a right-hander or a left-hander, you will be more used to fighting righties. Why? Because there are naturally far more right-handed people than left-handed people (about 90% of people are naturally right-handed). Right-handers are used to fighting right-handers and left-handers are also more used to fighting righties. Which is why everyone finds fighting lefties to be a bit awkward. We're just not that used to it. This is the reason why in some clubs (and in fact, in some count... Read more

On the 17 th and 18 th May, 5 players from the Northern Ireland Talent Development Squad headed to East London, to compete in the London Open. The London Open was held in the UEL Sportsdock this year. The pools of players were amongst the highest amounts for any events this year, so every placing was fought for and earned. Noted in the competition calendar, the London Open is a prestigious and high-level event, attracting not only players from the Home Nations, but from Europe and a... Read more

An exciting opportunity to join the staff team of the Northern Ireland Judo Federation has opened up. The Northern Ireland Judo Federation is looking for a dedicated Administrator to help manage the day-to-day operations of the organisation. This role is perfect for someone with strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and a passion for sports administration. As an Administrator , you will be responsible for coordinating events, handling member enquiries, ensuring complianc... Read more

What 150 children learned about themselves at our Judo Festival at Woking Leisure Centre Yesterday, something special happened at Woking Leisure Centre . Not because medals were handed out. Not because the mats were packed with energy. But because over 150 of our students , aged just 5 to 14 , did something many adults struggle to do: They faced their nerves… and they stepped up anyway. For some, it was their first-ever competition. They tied their belt a little tighter. They shuffled their... Read more

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Mastering the Basics: 5 Essential Judo Techniques Every Beginner Should Know Judo, the gentle way, Read more The post 5 Essential Judo Techniques for Beginners | Koka Kids Judo Guide appeared first on Judo Books by Koka Kids . Read more

Osaekomi Turnovers Billy Roll Kata-Gatame Roll Fukuda Roll Oshima Roll Yoko Ono Roll 1 Yoko Ono Roll 2 Huizinga Roll Kata-Sankaku Series Matsumoto Roll Reverse Roll Nikolic Roll Circular Roll Hara-Zutsumi Series Fletcher Roll Pinewood Roll Funakubo Roll Knee Roll Uta Abe Roll Wrist Control Series Thread-the-Needle Keylock Turnover Power Half Nelson Briggs Sankaku Shiba Lock Figure-4 Roll 1 Figure-4 Roll 2 (Sumi-Gaeshi) Jacket Skirt Tie-Up Circular Turnover Reverse Turnover Switch to Koshi-Jim... Read more

Yoko-Sankaku Reverse Sankaku Reverse Sankaku (Uke Flattens) Reverse Sankaku (Uke Stays Turtle) Bilodid Sankaku Bilodid Sankaku (Uke Flattens) Bilodid Sankaku (Uke Stays Turtle) Other Sankaku Ushiro-Sankaku Omote-Sankaku Read more

Koshi-Jime Classic Leg Grip Leg Insertion Switch to Hold-Down Switch to Hadaka-Jime Kataha-Jime Modern Kataha-Jime British Strangle Sode-Guruma-Jime On the Side (of Turtle) On Top (of Turtle) On Top (Face-to-Face) Trap Choke Side Roll Climb-Over Read more

Mental Health Awareness Week: Judo’s Role in Mental Well-being and Seeking Help Mental Health Awareness Week, held annually in the UK, provides an important platform to discuss the significance of mental health, raise awareness about its challenges, and emphasise the importance of seeking help. Mental health is just as crucial as physical health, and understanding how it impacts our lives can help reduce stigma and encourage people to reach out for support when needed. During this week... Read more

The Welsh Judo Association is seeking passionate and committed volunteers to help drive the continued development of judo across Wales. We are currently recruiting for the following key voluntary positions: Welsh Judo Association Technical Officials Representative This role supports the recruitment, development, and progression of technical officials (timekeepers, scorers, controllers) across Wales. The representative will act as a key point of contact for officials, help coordinat... Read more

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UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) is excited to welcome Natalie Powell, double Olympian and judo icon, as one of seven new members of the UKAD Athlete Commission. Natalie brings with her over 15 years of elite sporting experience, having represented both Team GB and Team Wales on the international judo stage. A former world number one, Natalie’s dedication to clean sport is matched by her academic background — holding a BSc in Biomedical Science and an MSc in Advanced Coaching. As a member of ... Read more

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Real strategies used by our judo coaches that most sports clubs won’t tell you — but every parent should know. “Why is my child acting out after the Easter break?” If you’ve found yourself asking this question lately — you’re not alone. Maybe they’ve become a little more moody. Maybe they’re glued to a screen again. Maybe they’re bouncing off the walls one minute and melting down the next. You’re doing everything right… but it still feels like something’s off . Here’s the good news: It’s not... Read more

Yesterday we held our first “open mat” which was attended by Judoka from Winchester Judo Club, Fleming Park Judo Club, Southampton University Judo Club and Matsumachi Judo Club. Judo and BJJ open mat attendees With 6 Judo black belts on the mat, we enjoyed well over an hour of randori with other Judoka and with some of the BJJ practioners (including BJJ black belts). This fortnight our coach Lance has been teaching Judo to the BJJ learners as part of their take downs block of traini... Read more

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