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"Throw for Ippon" |
Sportif News |
101 Judo Games Fighting Films who are the official videographers for the International Judo Federation and the World's most famous producer of judo DVD's including the Olympic Games and World Championships have recently completed a coach education DVD called "101 Judo Games". The DVD focuses on Peter Gardiner's coaching methods and features Peter working with players from Sportif Judo and then follows him to Tokyo where he is filmed teaching Japanese players using the Sportif method. The DVD will be released in December this year and will be distributed to judo coaches around the World. Check the Fighting Films website for a sneak preview and more information. Scottish Championships 08 Wow ! 12 Gold's, 7 Silvers and 15 Bronze medals at the Scottish Championships put Sportif Judo squarely at the top of the medal table for Scotland. Everyones hard work and effort paid off, well done. Grading Oct 08 A lot of hard work on the players part and some excellent skills at the grading made October's grading the best so far. Coaches were very impressed with the level of skill shown. All passed.......... no problem. Use this website to learn more about the gradings and the techniques you will need. Just go to gradings page. British Championships 08 Congratulations to Tal Gardiner for silver medal in the B Band under 48kg division at the recent British Championships. Andrew McDonald won Bronze medal in the Under66kg division Band C. |
U10 Boys(Born after 1997) Ryan Thomson u25kg Bronze Mathew Sinclair u27kg Bronze Ewan Bell u30kg Bronze Toby Boston u10 u30kg Gold Andrew Nimmo u34 Kg Bronze Frazer Allan u38 Kg Silver Louis Vaughn o46 Kg Gold Cameron Blair u34kg Silver Elai Roberts u25 Kg Silver Charlie McDonald u30 Kg Silver U10 Girls (Born after 1997) Sarah Armstrong u25kg Gold Linsey Young u28kg Bronze Yasmin Gordon u32Kg Silver Zara Cordiner u40Kg Bronze Nicola Lawson u40Kg Silver U12 Boys(Born 1997&1998) Calum McDonald u12 u30kg Silver Francis Millward u12 u34kg Bronze Kevin Caie u12 u34kg Gold Garry Young u12 u38kg Gold |
SPORTIF JUDO CLUB RESULTS KENKA TOUR 2008 - SATURDAY 22Nov 2008 |
U12 Girls (Born 1997&1998) Anneka Sanders u40kg Gold Cathie Balmer u32 Kg Bronze Drew Hamilton u36 Kg Bronze Laura Nairn u36 Kg Bronze Lois Gordon u40 Kg Silver Abbie Thompson u48 Kg Gold U16 Girls (93,94,95,96) Elizabeth Musgrove u36kg Gold Abbi Blackie u44kg Gold Emili Harris u48 Kg Bronze U16 Boys (93,94,95,96) Robin Sharp u34kg Silver Dylan Paxton u42kg Silver Stefan Cameron u42kg Bronze Ramsay Hunter u60kg Bronze |
Welcome to all new members All the coaches and players from Sportif Judo would like to welcome new players and their parents to the club. Look at the Sportif media You tube page to see Sportif Players in action. See you on the mat |
Well done to all the Sportif Players your hard work has paid off at the Kenka tour |
Ali Kontantonasis -57kg Gold Rachel White -48 Gold Elizabeth Musgrove -36kg Silver Ewan Paul -30kg Silver Emili Harris -48 Silver Laura Nairn -40 Silver Abbie Thompson -48 Bronze Cameron Walker -30 Bronze Laurence Price -46 Bronze Kevin Caie -34kg Bronze Dylan Paxton -42kg Bronze Anneka Sanders -40kg Bronze Ali Mather +57kg Bronze |
SPORTIF JUDO CLUB RESULTS Aberdeen Open 2008 Saturday 6th December |
Grading 2009 Start to swot up on your throws and hold downs the next grading will be at the beginning of March. Check the grading and technique page on the Website you will see all the major techniques and find information about and the belts and different grades. |
News 27.01.09 Pro-Lega Champions - 3 in a row The Pro-Lega is the UKs only judo League. Scotland's Strongest clubs take part, the aim is to give young players and opportunity to develop skills and compete as part of a team. This is the 3rd season of Pro-Lega Sportif have been fortunate enough to win the Pro-Lega in the past two seasons. The final round of the Pro-Lega took place in Glasgow, a 36 strong Sportif Team travelled to the event and although Sportif had a strong lead going into the final round, players did not take anything for granted. Sportif fielded 6 teams and successfully won 6 out of 6 rounds. The coaches think that this is a fantastic achievement and would like to congratulate all the players who took part in the Pro-Lega this season. But more important than the actual victory was the excellent sportsmanship, team spirit and technical skills that all the Sportif players displayed. Abbi Blackie was on blistering form throwing 6 opponents for ippon, but the Sportif player of the tournament had to be Finn Hobbis who fought older players and bigger players, big or small Finn gave all his opponents the same treatment launching them for ippon with uchimata or side body.............. Well done Finn and well done Sportif keep it up "Throw for Ippon". Welsh Open Andrew McDonald who is currently preparing for Team GB selection, kicked of his year with a silver medal at the Welsh Open. He lost on a split decision to current British Champion Max Stewart. Andrew was the only player from the club to take part. Sportif Player of the Year Tal Gardiner from Sportif Kelso was awarded the Sportif players of the year for 2008. Tal won the Budo Nord Swedish Open, British Schools Championships, Scottish Championships and was runner up in the English Open and the British Nationals. Tal was presented with the trophy by three times World and Olympic Champion Kosei Inoue Judo Super Star Kosei Inoue spends six months in Edinburgh Kosei Inoue is the most exciting judo player of his generation. He has won every major title but what makes him so special is the way he wins. Inoue is Mr Ippon blasting his opponents for full points in match after match. In the Sydney Olympic Games final he threw Nic Gill of Canada for one of the best contest throws of all time a lightning uchimata. Look on the superstars page on the Sportif website to see him in action. Sportif Top 10 players will have the opportunity to train with and be coached by Kosei over the next six months as he will train at the National Academy during that time. Kosei is in Scotland to learn English and experience our culture. |
Midland Area Open 31st Jan 09 Callum McDonald -30kg Gold Loran Harris -44kg Gold Andrew McDonald -66kg Silver Sam Hobbis -60kg Bronze Tal Gardiner -52kg Bronze |
Rory Smith ASP funding Rory Smith from Sportif Kelso has been accepted on to the Borders Athlete Support Programme. This is in recognition for his results and efforts in 2008 where Rory became Scottish Champion. This programme will give Rory access specialist coaching, phsyio and equipment. Congratulations Rory you deserve it. |
“Kosei Inoue Vs Scottish Salmon” Judo superstar Kosei Inoue from Japan is studying English in Edinburgh for the next six months. While Kosei is in Scotland he is keen to experience Scottish culture and tradition. When Kosei mentioned that he was a keen fisherman I invited him to take part in a very Scottish tradition, fly fishing for Salmon on the river Tweed. As a guest of Sportif Judo, Kosei travelled to the Kersten beat on the Tweed where he met and fished with Colin Pringle who is a Sportif Judo black belt and famous fishing gillie. Kosei pulled on a pair of chest waders, a body warmer and a flat cap. With a cold wind blowing, a blanket of snow on the ground and a wee nip of malt (for medicinal purposes only) to warm the cockles of his heart he waded into the icy waters of the Tweed. After several hours in the Tweed even the three times World Champion and Olympic Champion Inoue had to admit “very cold......... feet very cold”. |
Later Kosei fished with Colin from a boat which I think was slightly warmer (but not much). This time the elusive Borders Salmon managed to escape Kosei’s fishing fly, but with a steely determination he told Colin “I’ll be back”. Sportif Judo hope that Kosei enjoyed his day on the Tweed and hope he has a good experience while he is here in Scotland. |
North West of England Championships B Band – Sam Hobbis –Silver B Band – Tal Gardiner – Silver B Band – Marc Girot –Bronze C Band – Ali Konntothanassis –Bronze |
Andrew McDonald secures British Squad place March 09 Andrew McDonald from Sportif Kelso secured a his British Squad place for the cadet European Championships and European Youth Olympics later this year. The final GB Team will be named in the coming weeks. Andrew who is a Top 10 players has worked hard over the past year with pre school technical training, strength and conditioning twice a week plus, 3 evening sessions a week. Andrew said after the event “All the hard work has paid off” Good luck Andrew |
Academy conquer the Eildon’s March 09 Players from Sportif Academy scaled the mighty Eildon Hills in the Borders to raise funds for |
Grangemouth Championships 2009 Gold 17 Silver 11 Bronze 19 Excellent performance from Academy players special mention to Tyler Roberstson, Johannes Lengeling, Ryan Thomson, Chloe Drobinski, Thomas Caldow, Stuart Allison, Fraser Allan, Calum McDonald, Jamie Lee McQueen, Euan Mitchell, Andrew Campbell, Zara Cordiner. Well done everyone it wasn’t just about winning, it’s how you win by using great skill and technique. It’s also how you loose by showing with respect and good sportsmanship to your opponent, everyone win or loose showed excellent attitude and good sportsmanship, well done. And yes we were top of the medals table |
“Sportif Academy on fire at Scottish A & AA Banded Championships” Sportif’s young Academy players took part in the Scottish Championships for A & AA banded players. Players combined skilful judo with good sportsmanship and a positive attitudes. Their excellent results speak for themselves Sportif clearly lead the medal table with a total of 32 medals. The results are important but for the coaches at Sportif Judo it is possibly more important that players win using dynamic skill. Skill is the absolute key factor for World Class Judo players. Young players need to enjoy their judo, develop their individual skills and gain the right experience at the right time. The AA band Scottish Championships are a long way from the Commonwealth or Olympic Games but they do motivate young players and set-up good training habits. Winning is important when you are a young player (or an older player) but developing skill and having a positive experience is even more important. Well done everyone, just keep doing what you are doing and before you know it you will be a proper judo Superstar Peter |
Golds Yasmin Gordon 36kg Rebecca Price 36kg u10 Nicola Lawson 40kg u10 Lois Gordon 40kg Paige McLennon 44kg Toby Boston 34kg Frazer Allan 38kg Fin Hobbis 42kg Stuart Allison 50kg |
Silvers Isobel Reid u32kg Katie Boston u50kg Finn Catterson Tout 25kg Cameron Walker u34kg u10 Francis Milward u34kg Harry Mustard u38kg Ruaira Campbell u42kg Mathew Allan u 46kg |
Bronze Linsey Young u32kg Chloe Drobinski u38kg Luke Carney u25kg Lewis Smiles u27kg Logan White u30kg u10 Ewan Paul u30kg Cameron Blair u34kg Ewan Bell u34kg Alexander Allison u34kg Andrew Nimmo u38kg Thomas Caldow u38kg Calum McDonald u42kg Daniel Roberstson u46kg Robbie Johnston u50kg Stuart Allison u55kg |
Lugi Lions Tour – International Tournament and Training Camp Lund Sweden 2009. This year’s Lugi Camp in Lund Sweden was a great success. A 20 strong Sportif squad including 17 Academy players plus Abbi, Tal and Sam from the Top 10 made the trip. Everyone gave a great account of themselves showing good skill in the tournament and fantastic work rate on the training camp. Sportif took a total of 9 medals including 2 gold, 2 silver and 5 bronzes. 750 players from 12 different countries took part the tournament and camp and although 9 medals was a sportifs best result to date at Lugi the players felt that they could actually have done even better. They set their standards high. I would like to thank everyone who worked so hard to fund raise and organise this even. We cannot mention everyone but special thanks to Denise Allan, Paul & Anne Musgrove, and Graham Young for their efforts. And special special thanks to Ian McDonald, Gary Hobbis, Ian Girot & Ivan Reilly who did a first class job as leaders on the trip. Well done everyone and thanks Peter & Preeti |
Results Gold Calum McDonald Annika Saunders |
Silver Elizabeth Musgrove Tal Gardiner |
Bronze Sam Hobbis Ewan Paul Thomas Caldow Abbi Balckie Kevin Caie |
Well done to Loren Harris from Sportif Cupar who was selected to represent Great Britain in the under 40kg category at the European Cadet Championships in Slovenia on the 27th & 28th of June. Being selected to represent Great Britain is a great achievement, everyone at Sportif is very proud of you. |
Judo Legends visit Sportif Judo superstar Kosei Inoue and Judo legend George Kerr 9th Dan visited Sportif Tranent. 3 time’s World and Olympic Champion Kosei taught his famous ouchi-gari. He made it look so simple but as we all found out it wasn’t as simple as it looked. George Kerr who is the President of the British Judo Association was also there. George himself a famous judo player with an incredible career in judo. As national coach for Austria he coached a double Olympic Champion Peter Seinbacher. As a referee George refereed 2 Olympic finals. He is/was Peter Gardiners coach, so actually if there was no George Kerr then no one in Sportif Judo would ever have done judo! So in some ways he is the God father of the club (I’m not sure if George would like to be called a God father). George is also Kosei’s mentor while he is in Great Britain After training George, Kosei and their wives were guests of the club. Both George and Kosei said how impressed they were at the level of skill and positive atmosphere at the club and Kosei ask “would you mind if I visited your club again, I enjoyed it very much” . I thought about it for about a milli second and said he would always be very welcome at Sportif Judo (as long as he wore his Sportif Hoodie). Andrew McDonald gets black belt Andrew McDonald achieved his black belt in a 5 ippon line up. Andrew threw 5 Ippons with 4 different techniques that is amazing! And way is even more amazing is that he is only 15 years old. I only know a few players who achieved black belt at such a young age. Well done Andrew Scotland selection Rory Smith and Peter Berrett have been selected to represent Scotland in the UK School Games. Well done boys. Neil Adams Classic Congratulations to all the Sportif players who took part in the Neil Adams Classic tournament at Meadow back in June. Nice judo and great results. Gold 12 Sliver 7 Bronzes 8 |
Happy Birthday Sportif Judo The club is seven years old in October. We have came a long way since our very first class in Kelso. Thanks to all the parents for your support, our sponsors, local sports councils, support coaches, Squad managers and of course the players for your efforts, it has been our great pleasure to work with you. Keep up the good work Peter, Preeti, John And Claire |
UK School Games 09 Congratulations to Rory Smith and Peter Berrett for your Scottish Team selection for the UK School Games. Well done Peter who secured a bronze medal. |
They are back ! After a year break with injury Sportif are delighted to welcome Cora Gardiner and Ramsay Hunter back on the mat. Cora and Ramsay were both British medallists before their injuries. Great to have you both back, roll your sleeves up theirs work to do! |
Scottish Championship 09 Great results and excellent judo at this years Scottish Championships. Andrew McDonald won is 5th consecutive Scottish Title 5 out of 5, not bad. The club won a total of 9 Gold, 9 silver and 14 bronzes putting Sportif top of the table for the 3rd year in a row. Well done! |
Lakeland Open 09 Great effort at the Lakeland Open Ali K brilliant gold medal. Andrew bronze and Rory silver in the super tough 73kg category that is full of many of GBs top players. Good effort effort everyone. |
English Open - Heart of England 09 2 Gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze at the English Open was amazing really good. Lauren and Abbi gold's, Sam Hobbis tough in C band taking a silver was excellent and well deserved bronzes for Marc Girot, Elizabeth Musgrove and Ali Mather. All the hard work is paying off don't take your foot off the gas. |
Kosei Inoue and George Kerr visits Sportif Judo superstar Kosei Inoue and judo legend George Kerr visited the club for a second time. Kosei worked with the Academy and T10 players his skills where amazing. Check the photo of Kosei throwing Nik Gill for ippon with uchimata in the final of the Sydney Olympic Games. Kosei taught uchimata and motivated everyone to throw for ippon! Check out the superstars page on this website and see Kosei in action. And the other photo of Kosei? Thats Kosei with Finn Catterson, this is what judo is all about, good role models and good people. |
British Champions 2009 Congratulations to all the players who took part in the recent British Championships. Sportif had its best result ever taking a total of 10 medals. Everyone is working hard to get on the rostrum but whether players managed to win a medal or not the key thing is and was the effort that every player put in on the day and more importantly in the years preparation that was put in leading to the event. Hard work is never wasted and for the committed players who continue to get up at 5.30am to train before school, the players who drove (by dedicated Mums and Dads) 1hr 15 to training 3 times a week, the players who never miss, the players who are living the dream, it will happen, if not this year then next, if not the next then the next. It will happen believe in the system and believe in yourself, you can do it ! You WILL do it. Thanks to all the parents, club coaches, sponsors for your support. Its your effort that is making this happen. Thanks Peter, Preeti, John & Claire |
Gold - Abbi Blackie Gold - Kevin Caie Silver - Tal Gardiner Silver - Jamie Ritchie Bronze - Elizabeth Musgrove Bronze - Lauren Harris Bronze - Racheal White Bronze - Andrew McDonald Bronze - Marc Girot Bronze - Finn Hobbis |
Ready 4 Rio The Olympic Games of 2016 have been awarded to Rio De Janeiro. We have 6 years to get a Sportif player or players in the GB Team. Impossible dream? Well If someone told Abbi Blackie or Kevin Caie's Mum that they would be British Champion within 4 years they would have said "Impossible Dream". The Clubs goal was to have players in the Team by 2020 but we have 6 years to prepare and 1 year to qualify the place for Rio...... Why not, lets pull on our kits, tie our belts and live the dream. Lets get Ready4Rio. |
Sportif Performance Centre. To give Sportif players the very best opportunities to reach their goals its important that we have the best training environment. From the 23rd October Sportif Judo will create its first Performance Centre in the Loch Centre in Tranent. The mat area in Tranent will be 17m x 8m and Academy players from The Borders, East Lothian and Fife will attend Friday training in the Performance Centre. Every 6 weeks or so depending on our preparation phase there will be open randori for all clubs plus invited guest clubs, on these evenings we will put out another 12 x 7 mat area to give us the capacity for 80 players per session. If we are to turn dreams into reality Sportif has to evolve. In the coming months you will hear more of this new concept of "Judo Evolution". |
Peter Gardiner 50 ? |
Emotional The Tranent Judo sessions were put on hold on Friday as Rory Smith interrupted proceedings and made a well rounded speech detailing the last 7 years of Sportif Judo achievements under the stewardship of Peter Gardiner. Peter who celebrated his 50th birthday on Wednesday the 4th, seemed visibly touched and heartened by the tributes from Rory who is the Sportif team captain. Rory also gave Peter a framed copy of the speech with a Sportif Photograph and the email address for the producer for 10 years younger. ( just kidding ) He actually gave him a family photo session voucher . Looking forward to seeing them Peter hope they do a better job than me. |
Players of the Year 2009 Traditionally we select one Sportif player of the year but this year and for following years we will announce 2 players of the year male & Female. |
In 2009 Abbi has won the Scottish, Heart of England and British Championships throwing her opponent for a full ippon in the final of the British. Abbi was also selected for the ASP programme by the Scottish Borders Although Abbi has won various other tournaments she has not been selected on medal results alone. Her fantastic work rate, commitment and positive attitude have been an important part in the selection . Well done Abbi Live the dream |
ABBI BLACKIE |
Andrew finished second in the GB cadet trials in May, won his 5th consecutive Scottish title before moving up to D band where he beat youth Olympic bronze medallist twice in the British Championships where he finished 3rd. Again it is not simply Andrews results that set him apart it is also his work ethos and commitment to skill. In these year’s Van Helder Open in Holland he won bronze throwing 3 of his opponents for perfect ippons with 3 different throws both left and right. Get ready for Rio |
ANDREW Mc DONALD |
Ali Mather became the first Sportif girl of the next generation to gain her black belt. What makes this achievement even more impressive is that she done it before she saw 16 the official age of a senior and possible black belt. Ali has shown fantastic improvement in the last year finishing second in the Scottish championships and third in the Heart of England. Keep it going Ali you’re improving all the time |
Ali Mather wins Black Belt aged 15! |
Friday night squad sessions just got better. While Peter is in India from the beginning of December till end of February the squad classes will be taken by Preeti and guest coaches check out the coaches !! Kosei Inoue – 3x World and Sydney Olympic Champion John Buchanan – World bronze medallist – GB Olympic Team Member Sydney Olympic Games Euan Burton – world bronze medallist – GB Olympic Team Member Beijing Olympic Games |
Guest coaches |
This month Head coach Peter Gardiner headed out to New Delhi to launch the first part of an exciting new project Sportif Judo India. This initial pilot project will introduce the Sportif Judo model at schools and club level. It’s a very ambitious project which has never been done before. If the first phase of the project is successful then a second project will be launched “Friends of Judo” which will link judo to the support and development of slum children in India, providing food, education and judo for some of the Worlds most deserving people. We ask for everyone’s support at Sportif for this project it could be the most important thing the club ever does. Lets work together to try to make it work. Sportif India.............. Sounds good Judo Builds People |
Sportif Judo India |
To date we have operated the highly successful Academy and Top10 programme in the club. As the club changes so too must our performance model. So at the beginning of 2010 we will say goodbye to the current Top 10 programme, maintain the Academy programme as the first rung on the Sportif Performance pathway and introduce two new rungs on the ladder. |
New performance programmes for 2010 |
R4R - Ready4Rio The Olympic Games have been announced for Rio de Janeiro for 2016. Sportif Judo’s aim is to have one person in the GB Team for Rio. Ambitious yes, impossible NO. |
2-for-20 20 Sportif hopefuls will be selected for this programme. Our first aim is to have 2 players selected for the GB Team for the Olympic Games 2020. But the actual goal is for one of those players to become Olympic Champion. That’s where we want to go............... who wants to Live the dream? |
A maximum of 4 players may be selected for this. Selections based on results, positive attitude, commitment and ability to carry out a set programme in conjunction with studies. |
Three Sportif players Sam Hobbis, Tal Gardiner and Andrew McDonald travelled to Van Helder in Holland to take part in an 8 nation 1200 participant International Tournament. All 3 gave a good account of themselves. Tal lost on a shido for the bronze medal. Andrew McDonald displayed excellent skill to take bronze, while Sam Hobbis fought hard scoring a very skilful rolling strangle along the way to win Gold. Great performance everyone. |
Sam Hobbis wins Gold in Van Helder International Tournament |
All the performance programmes are reviewed at the end of each year. Players may drop out of the system new ones may take their places. Players not yet selected for these programme will remain Academy players with the potential to win a place in R4R and 2-for-20 programmes. |
George Kerr 10th Dan |
George Kerr 10th Dan Honorary President of Sportif Judo George Kerr is one of only 7 judo players in the World to hold the grade of 10th Dan. The rank of 10th Dan is only awarded to people who have made an exceptional contribution to the sport of judo. George was a British Team Captain, he refereed in 2 Olympic Games and as the National Coach for Austria he produced the Worlds first Double Olympic Champion. He was a Sports Director for the European Judo Union and the International Judo Federation. He was the Chairman of the British Judo Association and is currently the President of the British Judo Association and at 72 years of ages George still coaches judo to children and adults. He is one of the Worlds most respected judo players and is in truth a living legend. So what is George Kerr's connection to Sportif Judo. Sportifs Head Coach Peter Gardiner started judo with George when Peter was just 6 years of age. During the 44 years they have know each other George has been coach, mentor, boss and is now a close friend of Peter. Georges influence and inspiration has had a direct effect on Peter and when Peter retired from competitive judo because of injury it was George who encouraged him to pursue his coaching career. In many ways George Kerr is the God Father of Sportif Judo because without his influence Sportif Judo would probably not exist. George believes in the values and direction of our club so much so that he sends the most talented players from his club to Sportif Judo and visits the club on occasion. We are privileged and honoured to have George Kerr as the President of Sportif Judo. George Kerr 10th Dan " I am delighted to be the Honorary President of Sportif Judo. I believe that Sportif Judo is a unique judo club which not only strives to develop skilful, positive judo players but more importantly strives to develop positive people. Judo is not just about winning, judo it is a sport for life which develops self confidence, self discipline and respect for others. The founder of Judo Dr Jigaro Kano famously said "Judo makes People" how right he was and this commitment to develop the whole person is what I find special at Sportif Judo." |
The Sportif Silverado’s – Lugi International Tournament and Training Camp -2010 A sixteen strong Sportif Team travelled out to Lund, Sweden in early May to take part in the World famous Budo-Nord Cup and Lugi International Judo Camp. 1000 competitors and 15 nations took part so we defiantly had our work cut out. With 5 silvers and 3 bronze medals the players should not be too disappointed, although I think everyone agreed we could have had a gold or two. That to one side the individual performances were excellent, with a total commitment to throwing for ippon and that’s really what we are looking for skilful, dynamic judo.............. Ippon is the name of the game |
The Silverado’s |
Silver Abbi Blackie Silver Dominic Reilly Silver Calum McDonald Silver Finn Hobbis Sliver Francis (Snoop) Milward |
Bronze Gary Young Bronze Danny (Snip) Fish Bronze Kevin Caie 5th Robin Sharp 5th Dylan Paxton |
The players also got to meet and work with one of judos most dynamic judo players of the past decade, Olympic and World medallist Nuno Delgado of Portugal. Nuno is without doubt the coolest guy in World judo, how cool does he look with his Sportif Judo Hoodie. Nuno was in the same hotel as the Sportif Squad and spent long periods of time with the guys chatting about training, the Olympic Games and all things judo. When we left he came over to the Team and shook everyone’s hand. Like Kosei these are the real stars of judo, humble, respectful and down to earth, perfect role models for our group. Well done guys and thanks Nuno! |
Ali K Black Belt “Ali K Black Belt” Sounds great! For those who know Ali you will know there is not a kinder or more caring person in the club. Ali is an extremely hard working girl both on and off the mat. She is in the middle of her higher grades at the moment hoping for 5 straight “A”s which I’m sure she will achieve. |
Well done Ali, we are very proud of you. You are a huge asset to Sportif Judo. |
Camberley Judo Club which is situated just outside London is one of GBs most successful clubs. It has produced European, World and Olympic medallists. The club offers fulltime training for talented and motivated players. Sportif has a long history with Camberley and in fact a very young John Buchanan left Sportif in 1992 aged 16. When he left John had not had his first shave, when he returned to Scotland and Sportif Judo in 2005 he had captained the British Team, was an Olympian and was a World medallist. He left as a boy and returned as a man, strong in mind and body (and he shaved twice a day). So we are very proud to continue to build on this history by making Camberley our twin club. Our next generation of players have already begun to work at Camberley, Andrew McDonald, Sam Hobbis, Peter Berrett, Rory Smith spent a week at the full time centre giving a really good account of themselves. We were also joined by our friends from the Danish National Team, including recent World Cadet bronze medallist Phuc Kai. Craig Fallon GBs World Champion who lives and train’s in Camberley spent a lot of time with the boys and when we drove to London to practise at the Budokwai (Europes first judo club) guess who as on the mat World & Olympic Champion Kosei Inoue who has now moved to London to complete his studies in UK. At one point Sam was doing technique with Craig and Kosei came over to help him with his technique. Two World Champions! We are lucky. Now Sportif players will visit Camberley throughout the year for a week or two blocks. Plans have been made for to give Sportif players the opportunity to move to Camberley in next few years to train and to study in local Universities. |
Sportif Judo & Camberley Judo become Twin Clubs |
Carl Finney took the Camberley training at Camberley in the absence of head coach Luke Preston. Carl himself a World Class player put the boys through their paces on a gruelling gripping circuit seen above. Right Sam does the high climb grip circuit. |