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Judo clubs in Suffolk
are reaping the rewards of the British Judo Association’s Enjoy
Judo and School 2 Dojo programmes which continue to drive the
Olympic sport’s growth among young people.
Ipswich Judo Club and
their Felixstowe counterparts have been heavily involved in both
initiatives. Enjoy Judo introduces children to the sport through
classes such as after school while School 2 Dojo offers a high-quality
community club outlet for budding judoka.
Ipswich Judo club, who
recently re-established School 2 Dojo links with Claydon Primary
and Kesgrave High school, held their annual club championships
on Saturday 11 December. Three members of Claydon Primary school,
who regularly attend their Friday Enjoy Judo session, excelled
in the competition as 9th Mon pair, Thomas Martin and Charlie
Pearse, along with 6th mon Luke Minns all came away with gold
medals.
The promising Thomas Martin,
son of Felixstowe Judo Club founder and coach David Martin, was
also in action on the Sunday at the Eastern Area closed in Thetford
where he added a bronze medal to his ever-growing collection.
Fellow Suffolk outfit Felixstowe
Judo Club staged their own annual schools competition on Monday
13 December with several schools represented including judoka
from Claydon and Kesgrave school clubs.
Deben High topped the medal
table as they finished ahead of Causton with Kesgrave, Claydon,
Trimley St Martin and Orwell all producing gold medallists.
Felixstowe Judo Club and
Enjoy Judo coach David Martin said: “I’d like to thank all the
Enjoy Judo players for taking part in the recent competitions.
Martin is also an International
A Licensed referee, which is recognised by the International Judo
Federation, and has all the credentials to develop young players
and officials.
“For many judoka this was
their first taste of competitive judo and they all did excellently,”
said Martin.
“In particular special
thanks should go to Aaron and Jarreth Hawkins, Charlie Pearse,
Thomas Martin and Ben Caldwell as well as all junior referees
who officiated at the Ipswich and Felixstowe Junior competitions.
“I would also like to thanks
Charles Clayton, Ian Caldwell and Lee Unwin who also helped to
make the Felixstowe schools competition run smoothly for giving
up their free time after school to help out.”
Martin, who took charge
at the high-profile Korea World Cup in December, added: “Enjoy
Judo school judoka who have now taken the next step, in training
with Ipswich and Felixstowe community judo clubs, are now showing
a growing confidence and some are achieving medal success outside
their school club which is fantastic.”
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