Capel Invitation Judo Championships 08

 Capel Judo Open Photo Album.

Members of the Young Judo Club attend the 1^st Capel Invitation Judo Championships on Saturday July 12^th at Capel Le Ferne Village Green near Folkestone. YJC instructor Colin Carrott 3^rd Dan also runs the Capel Judo Club, he like a lot of people in Judo are worried about the decreasing amount of Judoka wanting to take part in Judo competition and with the National Governing Body the BJA removing competition from the grading syllabus under Black Belt  it will becoming increasingly difficult to make Judoka realise contest is an important part of Judo, thankfully all YJC members are affiliated to the IBF which still insists on competition playing an important part of the grading syllabus and with this knowledge YJC students can do well in BJA tournaments. So Colin has chosen a different approach he has made the competition a fun event by putting it outside in the open air, bringing in some Bouncy Castles, Trampolines and a Bar B Q everyone enjoyed this village fete atmosphere, youngsters who had never competed took part in a very relaxed mood with no stress, Colin hopes to introduce stalls and side shows to next year event maybe calling the event the Capel Judo Club Fete. If Judo is to survive as a truly National Sport this is the way to go by creating small fun events before moving on to the big tournaments. This type of competition maybe unique for Judo but several hundreds of years ago all local fetes would have wrestling and strong man competitions as people did not have the means to travel they would have to make their own entertainment, something which will start to happen in the UK although modern day man has the means of travel they do not have the finances to fund the cost of travelling , with fuel, electric , Gas, Water and food all on the increase people are finding it very difficult to take part, so we need to find different ways to attract people to Judo.

Although the day was a friendly casual affair there was some outstanding Judo mainly from the adults who produced some high flying throws the type of throws the audience expects. The big throws make Judo look dramatic and make people think that the art is worth doing. For a lot of youngsters this was their first competition and all of them put up a good performance and pleasingly enough trying to attempt good Judo throws rather then pulling their opponent to the ground for hold downs, this looks good for the future standard of the club. It has always been my argument that children follow by example in all aspects of life and Judo is no different, the youngster saw some brilliant Sporting Judo from the adults who all behaved with impeccable manners and respect, this tells the youngster this is acceptable behaviour and standard expected of a quality Judoka.

When doing these reports I try to be even handed but this time I must be a little bit bias as the first of my Grandchildren Lewis Clarke entered his first competition, his father John has just retired from Senior judo competition a career I have watched with great pride and enjoyment and now it starts all over again MARVELLOUS. Lewis is the forth generation of Clarkes to compete in Judo and I know my Mum and Dad (Margret and Nobby) were watching the whole event from that Big Dojo in the Sky, I can remember myself and Nobby watching John as a child me shouting my head off getting  frustrated because he was not making the right moves, moaning at the refs because he lost and congratulating them when he won, telling him of for whining and then Nobby calming me down by saying let the boy enjoy it if he is to be champion it will happen and remember Judo is only a Martial Art. Funny all those things he was saying I am now repeating am I turning into the Old Man or am I maturing? I promise this will be my one and only indulgence when it comes to reporting events

The YJC has a few more events before the summer recess. Next Saturday our Bredgar Branch will be holding a closed event at Bredgar Village Hall this is its 2^nd year and hopefully it will be as successful as last year. YJC Bredgar original coach Drew Cullen 2^nd Dan has returned from a stint in the USA and will be back coaching September, the club was looked after by his sister Marcella 1^st Dan holds an IBF Instructors Certificate and  a BJA Coaching Award. With Bruce Fisher leaving the Club last month with out any notice we had to shut the Monday section, it transpires that Bruce has a really bad Heart condition and the stress of teaching children Judo was to much for him we wish him well for the future. Now Drew is back, Marcella is offering her services on a Monday night which will be great as it has been a few years since the YJC has had a section led by a woman, this class will restart in September. At the end of July members will be participating in the Scottish Open Judo and Sombo Championships which is held in Dumfries, Keith Costa who is in charge of the Supporters Club has been fund raising for the last year collecting waste paper and he will be helping YJC members with the fuel expenses well done Keith.

Senior Judo Grading results:

Elviey Brown 3rd Kyu Green

Sian Costa 3rd Kyu Green

Nolan Brown 4th Kyu Orange

Vicky Franks 4th Kyu Orange

Anyone interested in Judo should contact 01795 437124, youngjudoclub@yahoo.co.uk, www.sittingbournejudo.co.uk, www.yo

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