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Joe Ingram sees the next
two and a half years in preparing for the London Paralympics as
the period when he gets his “degree” in judo. He admits that his
breakthrough in 2009 when he won a silver medal in the under 100
kilos class in the European Championships for the Visually Impaired
as being “a bit of a surprise. But the result has given me confidence
in my ability. Still I know I still have a lot to learn.”
Joe, whose younger brother
Sam got a bronze medal in the 2008 Paralympics, only began judo
in Coventry in 2004. He then had a period away from intensive
training and competition, although he still carried on the sport.
He practised what he terms “recreationally”, while he took a degree
in English at Falmouth College of Arts, completing the three-year
course in 2008.
Then he made an important
decision. “Before I make a lifetime career as a teacher, I decided
I wanted to have a career in judo. I have planned to take a post-graduate
degree after 2012. But for the moment I am aiming for 2012 and
my ambition of a gold medal in the Paralympics”. So he moved to
London, initially training at The Budokwai. “There were great
vibes there. You are surrounded with people, who take judo seriously
and have such a big background in the sport. There is also a great
level of instructors, Ray Stevens and the like. They aroused my
interest, helped advance me and prepared me for the programme
at Dartford.”
He is now living near
the national training centre in Kent, with his fiancée Lysette.
He says: “I was very lucky to be invited to come here, to be part
of such an advanced judo system. Jean-Paul Bell (the contracted
coach for the Visually Impaired Programme) has helped me a great
deal. I have got some of my best judo from him. And when you are
training with the best in the country, you are forced to raise
your level.”
Joe’s promotion to First
Dan, when he had a line-up of three fully-sighted opponents and
scored ippons on all of them, have fully boosted his confidence
as he has tackled the arduous training programme in Dartford.
He has several visually-impaired colleagues alongside him, such
as Steve Turbitt and Mark and Daniel Powell and benefits enormously
from his relationship with his brother, who is training in Scotland.
“Sam and I chat every day on the phone, half of it is gossip and
the other is judo talk. We have a very close relationship. From
my point of view, it does me so much good, having someone of his
quality around. He has been my inspiration.”
Technically, Joe has
been working particularly on ashiwaza. “These throws can be more
difficult for the visually impaired. But you generally know where
the legs are from the placing of the opponents’ shoulders. However,
fully-sighted people act on impulse in doing ashiwaza and that
is what I am working on. In newaza, I am trying to perfect my
mobility – Jean Paul has helped me here and I have also been influenced
by Aurelien Broussal (the BJA Conditioning Coach), who has aided
me with circuits, including judo specific exercises, which develop
my cardiovascular fitness and strength at the same time. We do
get a lot of mat-time but I also have a rowing-machine in my bedroom
at home, which I use for further fitness.”
The 2010 season will
see his preparation continuing with a training camp and competition
in France and then the German Open. These will act as a build-up
to the world championships in March in Turkey. But the final goal
remains the 2012 Paralympics, which follow the Olympics. He says:
“There is a lot for me to learn. I am new to judo compared to
the others at Dartford and I need a great deal more experience.
It is all happening at once but it is very stimulating. That is
why I call these three years as taking a degree in judo.”
For further information
on British Judo's VI Talent Search contact Dave Sanders dave.sanders@britishjudo.org.uk
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