English Judo Blogs

The Japanese No. 1 in this category was Hifumi Abe, with Takeshi Takeoka being the No. 2. But when Abe unexpectedly got beaten in the quarterfinal, the burden of winning the gold for Japan fell on Takeoka's shoulders. The folks in Japan must have become more than a little bit anxious when the mighty Abe got thrown for ippon. But Takeoka managed to rise to the occasion and fulfilled his responsibility as the back up in case Abe faltered. Read more

Uta Abe had a quick first victory against Sofia Asvesta (CYP) by throwing her with uchimata at the edge in a little over one minute. Her next fight was her hardest, against Amandine Buchard (FRA), who took her to Golden Score. In the end, Abe won by penalties. Buchard got her third shido for grabbing Abe's leg to stop a hip throw attempt. Read more

He has won it all but he feels motivated for more: Olympic Champion Hidayat Heydarov of Azerbaijan will compete again at the World Judo Championships in Budapest. Heydarov comes off a golden year. In 2024, he not only won the biggest prize, Olympic gold in Paris, in the -73kg but he also struck gold at the World and European Judo Championships. Read more

Amandine Buchard didn’t come to Budapest to bow out early. She came, as always, to fight for gold, but sometimes the draw throws a cruel kind of poetry at you: an Olympic final-worthy showdown in the round of 16. When Buchard stepped onto the tatami opposite Japan’s Uta Abe, she faced not just a fierce rival but a test of spirit. The bout was electric, tense, decided only in golden score. When it was over, the scoreboard read loss… still, her performance told a far deeper story. “Of cours... Read more

It wasn’t the fairytale ending she was after, but Distria KRASNIQI (KOS) definitely feels one step closer. As almost all celebrated ABE Uta’s early exit in the Olympic Games, it was a bitter disappointment for Krasniqi who had spent a great deal of time and effort to prepare for the Tokyo Olympic Champion. Today, she managed to scratch that itch and faced one of her top rivals in the World Championships -52kg final. It was hard because I prepared for three years for that fight, and now ... Read more

You can ask what difference a year can make, but for Mascha BALLHAUS (GER), it is a lot. Now she might be walking away with a medal of the same colour, but she explains she is a different athlete, and the only way is up. My confidence has grown a lot because of good results but I really feel so so good physically, last year the bronze medal was a super surprise, I really had no expectations but this year I prepared really well. Both Mascha and her sister Seija (-57kg European Champ... Read more

The -52 kg category at the 2025 World Judo Championships in Budapest had the world watching for one name above all—Uta Abe. After a shocking early exit at the Paris Olympics, she entered the Worlds unseeded, a rare status for a reigning Olympic and world champion. The biggest upset of the day though was Dzhebov (TJK) who shocked Hifumi Abe, and the world, with this stunning uchimata-sukashi for ippon at the edge of the mat. Read more

Montréal, June 14, 2025 – Canadian  Kelly Deguchi’s  run at the Senior World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, came to a halt in the repechage on Saturday, where she finished seventh in the Under 52 kg category. Early on she won two bouts, but those were followed by losses to the eventual gold and bronze medallists in her category. Photo: IJF / Emanuele Di Feliciantonio Kelly Deguchi This was Deguchi’s fourth appearance at the Senior Worlds, and only her second competition since t... Read more

After coming so close to a medal on day one of the World Judo Championships 2025, the hosts, Team Hungary were eager to place on day two. There were two strong chances in the -52kg category, and one turned out to be medal-worthy. GYERTYAS Roza is the younger of the two entries, but has followed her team mate, and best friend, PUPP Reka for many years, not only an inspiration but someone to lean on. It was tough in the repechage as both stepped on adjoining tatami, and only one became... Read more

On day of the World Judo Championships 2025, the judo community were greatly anticipating the ABE siblings, wondering if they could return to the World stage to reclaim their 2023 titles. The -66kg category medal contests will be heavily dominated by Asia, with only one potential medal for Europe coming from Walide KHYAR (FRA). Coming up through the repechage, he will battle Obid DZHEBOV (TJK) for the World bronze medal.  Walide KHYAR (FRA) © Gabriel Juan There were huge upsets in ... Read more

The second day of the 2025 World Judo Championships brings intense action in the men’s U66kg and women’s U52kg categories, with top athletes vying for the coveted world titles. The tournament sees the return of the famous Abe siblings, who are among the favorites to claim gold, although seedings remain flexible and the competition is fierce. Read more

Nagayama, arriving with coach Masashi Ebinuma, was utterly focused. A two-time world bronze medallist, he had been chasing the gold for years, and today nothing was going to stand in his way. From the outset, his intention was clear—controlled, powerful and precise, he took the initiative. First, he launched Valadier-Picard with a thunderous sode-tsuri-komi-goshi, scoring waza-ari. Then, a perfectly timed seoi-otoshi earned him a second waza-ari, ending the contest and finally crowning him w... Read more

Assunta Scutto, who entered this competition ranked No. 4 has emerged the victor, over top favorites Shirine Boukli (FRA) and Tara Babulfath (SWE). Scutto began her campaign fighting against Mary Dee Vargas Ley (CHI), whom she defeated with a tewaza, where she just used her hands to tip her opponent over, for waza-ari. It happened early on in the match and she just maintained her lead for the rest of the match. Read more

Last year, Ayub BLIEV (IJF) was forced to settle for a fifth place at the Senior World Judo Championships in 2024, and today, he was committed to standing on the podium. In his opening rounds he was tasked with the likes of two-time World bronze medallist, LEE Harim (KOR), then with only one minute left on the clock, found his way to glory with ko soto gake. Unfortunately, he missed out on a place in the final, suffering defeat to the eventual silver medallist, Romain VALADIER PICARD (FR... Read more

The -60kg category was established in the Paris World Judo Championships in 1979, and fuelled by competition on home soil, France’s Thierry REY became the first World Champion of the weight class. Since then, two bronze medals have been won by Patrick ROUX in 1987 and Philippe PRADAYROL in 1991, and today Romain VALADIER PICARD added himself to the history books by claiming his place in the final against two-time World bronze medallist, NAGAYAMA Ryuju (JPN). I started well, but Nagayama... Read more

Assunta ‘Susa’ SCUTTO is a gem in the crown of the Italian team. In her four times participating in Senior World Championships, she has left with four medals. First, two bronze, in 2024 a silver medal, and today on Friday 13th June 2025, she will be standing on top of the podium, listening to her national anthem and taking home the ultimate gold medal. Both Scutto and her final opponent, Abiba ABUZHAKYNOVA (KAZ) were steely in their approach to the tatami, both perfectly capable of becom... Read more

The first medal contests of the 2025 World Judo Championships was the -48kg category bronze medal bout between Sabina GILIAZOVA (IJF) and Laura MARTINEZ ABELENDA (ESP). Both judoka were looking for their first senior world medal, however given their history it was hard to predict who would come out on top and stand on the podium. Martinez came fifth in the 2019 World Championships held in Tokyo, but today she had a new fire. We expected a fierce contest between the pair, in the past four... Read more

What an incredibly exciting opening day we’ve had in the World Judo Championships 2025! In the men’s -60kg category, host athletes sending out the top seeds, World Champions and Olympic medallists, and in the women’s -48kg we saw the dominance of the top four, their rivals unable to supercede. There is a guaranteed medal for Team Europe in the -48kg category, was we watched two titans go head to head for a place in the final. Assunta SCUTTO (ITA) took a silver medal in last years World C... Read more

Who are the top female favourites for the 2025 World Championships. We have asked JudoCrazy's traiblazer Oon Yeoh, but he dares to give a hazardous prediction. Well let's see, but JudoInside had to build in some realism. You will be the best judge. Read more

Who will be the top favourites of the 2025 World Championships in each of the seven men's categories? Of course it's arguable because it's judo but we will give it a try for some good discussion. JudoInside's Hans van Essen and JudoCrazy's Oon Yeoh give you our best prediction. Read more

After a seven-year hiatus, the IJF World Judo Tour is returning to Mexico, bringing elite-level competition back to the country with the 2025 Grand Prix in Guadalajara this September. It marks a new chapter for Mexican judo, following the last Grand Prix events held in Cancun in 2017 and 2018. Guadalajara, with its proven track record as host of the 2021 Pan American Open, the 2020 Pan American Championships, and even the prestigious IJF Masters in 2016, is ready once again to welcome the wo... Read more

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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

Click on the link below. Paris 2025 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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The Irish Judo Association is pleased to publish the official results from the All Ireland Schools Championships 2025 , held on Sunday, 25th May at Phibblestown Community Centre, Dublin. This year’s event saw nearly 220 students from across the country take to the tatami, showcasing their skill, determination, and school spirit. It was a fantastic day of competition, and we commend every athlete who participated. A sincere thank you goes to the schools, teachers, coaches, officials, and volun... Read more

Kyokan Judo Club – Coleraine Derry On behalf of the President Ms Sylvia O’Flynn, the IJA Executive Board, our clubs, and our members, we would like to welcome Kyokan Judo Club to the Irish Judo Association. Head Coach Garfield Richardson is very excited to join the Association. Garfield is well-known within the judo circles and looks forward to participating and competing in Irish Judo. Further details can be found in our clubs’ section: https://irishjudoassociation.ie/clubs/ We are delig... Read more

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The Irish Judo Association is proud to announce the results achieved at the 2025 European Judo Championships Veterans in Riga Latvia 🥇 John Dennis claimed the team’s first gold medal of the tournament with a commanding performance. 🥇 Lydia Ritchie followed with another outstanding victory, securing Gold and cementing an unforgettable week for Veterans Judo. 🏅 Donal Tannam secured a bronze medal in the Ne Waza category From fierce contests to podium success, our judoka demonstrated resilience,... 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

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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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🥋 The Irish Judo Association invites eligible members to take part in the upcoming National Grading , scheduled for Sunday, 8th June 2025 . 📍 Venue: Phibblestown Community Centre 🕓 Registration Deadline: Tuesday, 3rd June at 4:00 PM This grading is a key opportunity for judoka looking to progress through their grade pathway. All candidates must be pre-registered ahead of the deadline. Further details and the registration link are available HERE We wish all participants the best as they contin... Read more

🏅 We’re pleased to publish the official Points & Wins from the Connacht Championships (Closed) , held on Saturday, 10th May 2025 . It was a great day of judo in the west, with strong performances across divisions and excellent support from clubs and coaches throughout the province. Well done to all competitors, and a big thank you to the organisers, officials, and volunteers who helped deliver a successful provincial event. 📥 The full Points & Wins list is now AVAILABLE The post Points & Wins... Read more

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

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All Ireland Schools 2025 – Entry List The entry list for the All Ireland Schools 2025 is now available to view, the event this year has nearly 220 entries. If you have any queries on same, please email [email protected] before Wednesday 21st May 2025, otherwise queries will be answered at weigh-in. Entry List – All Ireland Schools 2025 Sunday 25th May 2025 Official Weigh-in for All Categories 08.15am – 09.15am Venue: Phibblestown Community Centre, Phibblestown Road D15 XT85 For th... 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

Montréal, May 19, 2025 – For the second year in a row, Christa Deguchi and François Gauthier-Drapeau were named Most Outstanding Senior Athletes of the Year on Sunday at Judo Canada’s 2024-2025 Annual Awards and Recognition Gala, held at the conclusion of the Canadian Open Judo Championships in Calgary. Deguchi became the first Canadian judoka ever to stand atop the Olympic podium when she won gold in the under-57 kg category in Paris last summer. She also captured the silver medal at the... Read more

Montréal, May 19, 2025 – Ever since he first became involved in the sport in 1975, Michael Tamura has been an important figure in Canadian judo, particularly during his tenure as president of Judo Canada from 2021 to 2024. To honour his extensive contributions and infectious passion for the sport, he has now been inducted into the Judo Canada Hall of Fame. Tamura became involved in judo fifty years ago, first as an athlete, then later as a coach, administrator, member of the executive... 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

Montréal, May 18, 2025 – On Saturday, Lasha Tsatsalashvili (-81 kg) notched up an important victory over his Taifu Club teammate Artem Neyolov in the U21 final at the Canadian Open Championships in Calgary. On Sunday, the two men faced off again, this time in the senior category. Photo Judo Canada Lasha Tsatsalashvili and Laurence Biron Tsatsalashvili once again came out ahead, securing his second title in as many days. “I always work really hard, and it’s nice to see it pay off.... Read more

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Montréal, May 17, 2025 – The action continued on Saturday at the Canadian Open Judo Championships in Calgary, Alberta, with competitions in the U16 and U21 age categories. Quebec’s  Catherine Toshkov  pursued her impressive run, winning her third gold medal in three years at the event. Photo Judo Canada Catherine Toshkov and Vincent Nepton The victory felt extra special to Toshkov, given that it was her first title in her new weight class of under-63 kg. In the final, she defeated M... Read more

Montréal, May 16, 2025 – Last year’s champions  Myroslava Bondarenko  (-57 kg) and  Lowan Le Bris  (-73 kg) successfully defended their U18 titles on Friday at the Canadian Open Judo Championships in Calgary, Alberta. Photo Judo Canada Myroslava Bondarenko and Lowan Le Bris In the under-57 kg category, Bondarenko defeated fellow Québécoise Nicole Manaila in the big final to claim the category title, an accomplishment of which she was very proud. “I’m really happy. That was my main go... Read more

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Montréal, May 15, 2025 – For  Wesley Enns  and  Kelly Palmer , the fact that the Canadian Open Judo Championships were being held in their home province of Alberta gave them the perfect excuse to capture three gold medals on day one of the event. On Thursday in Calgary, they took the top spots in Ju-no-Kata, Katame-no-Kata, and Kodokan Goshin-Jutsu. Photo Judo Canada Kelly Palmer and Wesley Enns In Ju-no-Kata, they accumulated a total of 367 points, edging out Shane Legros and Dan ... Read more

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The Irish Judo Association is proud to highlight the achievements of one of our own, Lydia Ritchie , who recently completed the Women in Sport Leadership Programme . Lydia has shared her personal experience of the course, reflecting on the opportunities, challenges, and motivation it provided. Her insights show the value of empowering female leaders within our sporting community. This course, supported by Sport Ireland and the Women in Sport programme , plays a vital role in developing confid... Read more

Montréal, May 13, 2025 – Although the Canadian judokas competing at the World Para Judo Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, were unable to secure a victory on Tuesday, they will nevertheless retain valuable lessons to be applied in the future. Photo: Archives Justin Karn Such is the case for Montreal’s Eitel Houedakor, a first-time participant in the World Championships. Despite his first-round loss to Uzbekistan’s Shokhrukh Mamedov in the J1 under-81 kg category, the competition w... Read more

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

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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

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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

Juji-Gatame Iatskevich Roll Adams Roll Version 1 Adams Roll Version 2 Sit-Back Armlock Traineau Roll Armlock Finishings Pull Towards the Head Pull Towards the Legs Arm Lever Ecky-Gatame Figure-4 Hold Figure-4 Crunch Armlock from Guard Position Near Arm (Face Down) Far Arm (Partial Rotation) Far Arm (Full Rotation) Other Armlocks Ude-Garami (Bent) Ude-Garami (Straight) Ashi-Gatame 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

Launching our month of ippon-seoi-nage mastery with two useful interactive resources to help children learn this throw Read more The post Learn Ippon-seoi-nage with Animated Resources appeared first on Judo Books by Koka Kids . Read more

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Get the 10 Throws Poster by Koka Kids. Just sign up. It’s free for all Read more The post 10 Throws Poster | One Dynamic Poster, Ten Captivating Animations! appeared first on Judo Books by Koka Kids . Read more

Commonwealth Sport today announced it has signed an exclusive agreement with Seven for the network to become the official Australian broadcast media partner for the 2026 and 2030 Commonwealth Games.  The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place in Scotland from 23 July to 2 August next year. The host selection process conducted by Commonwealth Sport for the 2030 Commonwealth Games is currently in progress.  The agreement covers broadcast, digital, connected TV, radio, social... Read more

Montréal, April 26, 2025 – After a successful first day of competitions at the Panamerican and Oceania Championships where Team Canada collectively earned four medals, Canuck judokas added two more medals to the overall haul, Saturday, in Santiago, Chile. Keagan Young (-81 kg) and Coralie Godbout (-78 kg) both reached the finals in their respective categories, but lost their final duels. No tears were shed though, as both athletes will take home bronze medals. Recall that yesterday, Fr... Read more

The Welsh Judo Association is pleased to announce the release of the Athlete Nomination Policy for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, taking place in Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August 2026. This policy outlines the process by which judoka will be considered for nomination to Team Wales’ selection panel. Developed in collaboration with Commonwealth Games Wales (CGW), the nomination framework ensures a transparent, performance-based pathway for selection. The Commonwealth Games is the bigg... Read more

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Exclusive for Members: 10 Throws Poster with 10 Animations! Exclusive Release to Members: Koka Kids Read more The post Exclusive Release: Koka Kids I-Dojo Poster Featuring 10 Essential Throws! appeared first on Judo Books by Koka Kids . Read more

As mentioned in my introduction, we are incredibly proud to announce that 2 x Olympic medallist, World Champion and multiple World medallist Baul An will be coming to Budokan in 2 month’s time. Read more

Cadet (U/18) and Junior (U/21) Panamerican Oceania Championships 18-19April Clarissa Vumbaca and Crosby Peake with Kerrye Katz coaching   Read more

Welcome to all new club members. We hope that you are enjoying your Judo experience with the Budokan family. Membership is steady at 210 and there is a lot going on. This Newsletter contains an update to the #1 April Newsletter with a view to keep you informed before the news gets dated. Read more

2025 major events   Read more

See the attached document . 16 Budokan athletes competed in 27 divisions at the Melbourne International Open. Rob, Kerrye and Nathan attended this competition to provide coaching support for our guys.  mio_2025_results.pdf Read more

Don’t forget that nominations to the NSW State Team CLOSE IN 2 DAYS TIME on 24th April and are completed on-line at https://www.judonsw.com.au/2024/03/2024-nsw-state-team-nominations/ Read more

In February, Judo Australia, together with CombatAUS celebrate an expanded performance coaching team. Performance Judo in Australia takes to a new level of commitment with the announcement of a bolstered National Coaching team to spearhead efforts towards Brisbane 2032.  Read more

In the last Newsletter, I acknowledged a number of very generous families that have made donations to the club: Shahmatov family for the filtered and chilled water dispenser in the kitchen, Ma family for the new Loan Judogi rack, and the Lee family for the new colourful Budokan Bag Tags. I failed Read more

Due to the limited dates that Baul An could be locked in for the seminar, we have needed to reschedule our Budokan-hosted NSW Junior competition 1 week earlier than planned, from 29th June to 22nd June.  This competition is a fantastic opportunity for first-time competitors from Budokan to compet Read more

17 category awards were presented to 66 recipients at our Awards Night late last year, as well as some special awards celebrating our Olympic representative and Olympic referee. Read more

📱 Scan, Watch, Learn! Our QR-Animated Posters bring judo techniques to life instantly. Revolutionizing how Read more The post QR-Animated Posters Take Judo Education to the Next Level appeared first on Judo Books by Koka Kids . Read more

The first draft... And here's the Director's Cut! Read more

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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What an amazing start to the year the club has had at our new home as part of Parity Martial Arts and Wellness. Starting with a Thursday session, we quickly needed a Sunday session too. Highlights have included hosting a session with our friends from Fleming Park Judo club and a club visit from our friends at Fort Purbrook Judo Club. As we go into second quarter of 2025 we shift focus to grading some people (once club revalidation proces... Read more

Newaza Openings 1. Knee Roll 2. Sankaku Sit-Back 3. Fukuda Roll 4. Alligator Roll Right Wrist Control Series 1. Thread-the-Needle 2. Keylock Roll 3. Power Half Nelson 4. Briggs Sankaku 5. Shiba Lock Left Wrist Control Series 1. Figure-4 Roll 2. Figure-4 Roll (Sumi-Gaeshi) 3. Adams Juji-Gatame Roll (Version 1) 4. Adams Juji-Gatame Roll (Version 2) 5. Kataha-Jime & British Strangle 6. Traineau Roll 7. Figure-4 Sit-Back Roll Jacket Skirt Tie-Up 1. Regular Roll 2. Reverse Roll 3. Bulldozer Roll 4... Read more

Yusana and Azril did a demo of judo techniques at SMK (P) Pudu under very rainy conditions. It's difficulty enough to do judo techniques well, imagine how hard it was to do it when the mats are slippery due to the rain! But they did an excellent job. Read more

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In today’s world of likes, shares, and social status, many children chase popularity at the cost of their values. As a parent in Woking, you’ve likely seen this play out—whether in your child’s classroom, on the playground, or online. And with the rise of social media and peer influence, children often feel pressure to fit in rather than stand out for the right reasons. But here’s the truth: popularity doesn’t always equal happiness or good choices. Two Approaches to Popularity Consider these... Read more

Northern Ireland Judo Federation (NIJF) is proud to announce its continued engagement with Disability Sport NI as part of its mission to make judo accessible to all. As part of this initiative, the NIJF will be undertaking the Inclusive Sport Award for the 2025-2026 period and beyond, reinforcing its dedication to fostering an inclusive sporting environment. The Inclusive Sport Award, presented by Disability Sport NI, is a benchmark for standards, and recognises organisations that ac... Read more

Stress Awareness Month: The Connection with Judo and Mental Well-Being April marks Stress Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the effects of stress on mental and physical health. In this month-long observance, individuals, organisations, and communities are encouraged to explore strategies for managing stress, learning about its impact, and seeking ways to improve overall well-being. One interesting and often overlooked approach to stress management is through phy... Read more

“Nothing short of inspiring. Engaging, empowering girls of all ages and skill levels” – Sanshirokwai Dojo Girls That Judo (GTJ), a groundbreaking initiative led by Steph Walker, a Welsh Judo employee and final-year student at the University of South Wales, launched Girls That Judo in July 2024 to address the unique barriers women face in judo, a discipline that has long been male-dominated. GTJ, now in it’s 8th session, continues to provides a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for ... Read more

What a year it’s been so far! Welsh judokas have already made a significant mark on both the national and international stage. From impressive podium finishes at regional and national competitions to standout performances on the world stage, our athletes have showcased remarkable skill and determination. These accomplishments reflect not just the talent of the athletes but also the dedication of their coaches, support teams, and the growing judo community across Wales. With every co... Read more

Our Young Judokas Make Us Proud at Bishop’s Stortford This weekend, our young team from Fighting Fitness Judo headed to Bishop’s Stortford for another exciting children’s judo competition—and they did not disappoint! With determination, teamwork, and great spirit, our judokas competed against children from clubs across the region. For many of our members, this was another step in their journey to becoming confident, skilled martial artists. Here’s how they did: Gold Medalists Anastasia Tur... Read more

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If uke is familiar with the Arm Roll, they might flatten out to prevent any roll. There are several options you can pursue. Here are four that are practical and effective. Read more

From a basic Arm Roll grip, you can roll uke into an osaekomi. Here are three options you can pursue depending on uke's reaction. Read more

Russell Brown Chair NI Judo, Marc McLaughlin Sales Director SmartPay NI and Steve Setterfield Area Leisure Manager for Derry City and Strabane Council In fact, in April, you will be joining us for the SmartPayNI Northern Ireland Open, as the team at SmartPayNI have come on board to help us deliver our biggest event of the year. SmartPayNI deliver payment solutions to businesses and this year, for our spectator entry fee you will be able to pay by card! Excitement is building for the ... Read more

We offer everyone a free one week trial. You can come out Thursday and Sunday sessions to try it out. If you register at https://www.paritymartialarts.co.uk/memberships you can sign up to try Judo… Or try Judo, BJJ, Kick Boxing and all the classes at Parity Martial Arts and  Wellness. We have classes for children and adults. A majority of our participants are new starters, so it’s a great time to start. We teach in a informal style (yes, there is often music) with traditional Ju... Read more

The USJF has appointed Dr. Diba Mani as Chair of its Referee Development and Certification Committee. Read more

We’re delighted to announce, that Sarah Barritt will commence her role as the part-time Performance Coach on the 17 th of February. Sarah is a recognised high-level competitor in Judo and was previously part of the Performance pathway of the NIJF for many years. A multiple medallist on the World and European circuit, Sarah represented Northern Ireland in the Commonwealth Games in 2022, narrowly missing out on a medal. She brings to the role a wealth of experience, alongside innovativ... Read more