A team of nine travelled to Hereford on the weekend of the May bank holiday to compete in this major event. A fine display of Chalfont Judo was evident. A big congratulation goes to Molly J. for her first medal at this event upon third year of entry. Noah also pulled off a spectacular Ippon in one of his contests.
Name
Category
Result
Molly J.
Junior (under 50Kg)
Silver
Jonah
Primary (under 28Kg)
Bronze
Noah
Junior (under 40Kg)
Bronze
Elliot
Junior (under 55Kg)
Bronze
Also competing were Molly C, Hannah, Ellie, Shona and Jonathon. A special mention goes to Molly C. for a brave effort in her first competition at this level where she just missed out on the medals. Videos of those competing can be seen here.
Leicester Open Championship
A team of ten travelled up to Leicester on the 9th April to compete in this annual competition. For a two mat venue there were a lot of contestants with 180 people entered. In our team were two new faces, Oliver and Bradley who initially found the whole experience a bit daunting. However, they quickly settled in and put in a good show.
Name
Category
Result
Jonah
Junior (under 26Kg)
Gold
Chelsea
Junior (under 60Kg)
Gold
Allen Hart
Senior (under 71Kg)
Silver
Ellie
Junior (under 55Kg)
Bronze
Shona
Junior (under 50Kg)
Bronze
Fairoze Akhter
Senior (under 71Kg)
Bronze
Rhys Madden
Senior (under 71Kg)
Bronze
Noah put in a very good show in probably the largest group. Having fought his way through the initial rounds, he unfortunatly was beaten in the final pool. Well done to everyone. Next year, we hope to take a larger team!
On the 12th & 13th March Roy, Ron, David and Laura attended the FPJ2 coaching course being held for our area at St. Albans Judo Club. There were forty people on the course making it very busy with a lot to learn. Afterwards, we worked out that we threw each other around two hundred and forty times in the one weekend plus no shortage of holds, escapes, strangles and armlocks. A lot to learn and remember but great fun! Congratulations to Laura Day on completing this coaching award. It will stand her in good stead as well as helping her be a valued coach to the club.
The course was attended by every Sensei in the Bucks area and almost all of them in Herts area. So there are bound be to faces you recognise. The course was run by Penny Grigg 5th Dan, ably assisted by Tony Grigg 5th Dan and John Crisp 5th Dan who kindly joined us at very short notice travelling down from Newcastle. Richard Hobbs 4th Dan did sterling service as John's Uke being thrown hundreds of times for our benefit during the weekend.
Bob Cleevely 3rd Dan
Bob Sensei from St. Albans Judo Club visited us on the 11th March and gave us a very interesting session concentrating on Sangaku Jimi (strangles using the legs) along with some variations on Cross Armlock. Bob was ably assisted by Darren Rolph 2nd Dan from Luton Judo Club. However, the pictures of Darren are not as fetching! Bob also helped us tidy up our Katame no Kata bringing his experience for all our benefit.
Well done Jessica!
Upon promotion to 1st Kyu (Brown belt) by Mr. Mealing 7th Dan & Vice President BJC
BJA South Coast Competiton
Name
Category
Result
Laura Day
Senior (under 52Kg)
Gold
Jessica Day
Senior (under56Kg)
Bronze
Jessica and Laura entered this competition and did us proud! Laura took the Gold whilst fighting Brown belts and Jessica grabbed the Bronze despite being up against Brown and two Black belts. A fine demonstration of BJC Judo!
Videos are available here (very soon)
Southfields - First Competition of 2011
A team of eight travelled up to Leicester on the 5th February to compete in this annual competition. For a two mat venue there were a lot of contestants with 220 people entered. On the whole, the standard was quite impressive and our team did us proud. In particular, Noah, competing in a pool of sixteen, did well, grabbing a hard earned Bronze.
Name
Category
Result
Jessica Day
Senior (under 56Kg)
Gold
Laura Day
Senior (under56Kg)
Silver
Tom Hargreaves
Senior (under 71Kg)
Silver
Fairoze Akhter
Senior (under 71Kg)
Bronze
Noah
Junior (under 40Kg)
Bronze
Molly
Junior (under 50Kg)
Bronze
Shona
Junior (under 50Kg)
Bronze
Also competing was Jonathon who narrowly missed out on a medal. Next year, we hope to take a larger team!
The first grading of the year was attended by half the club of whom, most were succesful in obtaining a promotion to higher grade. The general standard at each grade was high and it was commented on that the Kata demonstrations were of a higher standard than expected. Well done to all.
Name
New Grade
Jessica Day
2nd Kyu
Allen Hart
2nd Kyu
Fairoze Akhter
5th Kyu
Rachel Weightman
5th Kyu
Molly
3rd Kyu3 Blue
Noah
3rd Kyu2Blue
Stephannie
3rd Kyu
Sofie
3rd Kyu
Emma
4th Kyu2 Green
Ellen
4th Kyu1 Green
Jay
5th Kyu3 Orange
James
5th Kyu3 Orange
James (the elder)
5th Kyu2 Orange
Bradley
5th Kyu2 Orange
Chelsea
5th Kyu2 Orange
George
5th Kyu
Charlie
5th Kyu
Sofia
6th Kyu3 Yellow
Kieran
6th Kyu3 Yellow
Dillon
6th Kyu2 Yellow
Liam
6th Kyu2 Red
Oliver
6th Kyu 2 Red
Middlesex Area Inter-Club Challenge 2010
17th December 2010 at Evreham Sports Centre
This year Chalfont & Evreham Judokwai hosted this event. Despite the problems of snow, illness and various other challenges an event came together that set a new standard at this level as we laid on 4 mats for competitors to test their skill.
At the Peterborough Course November 2010 David was awarded this Technical Coaching qualification. But this is only the begining, he is now after the Shudoshadai Ni.
BJC Senior Nationals 2010
For the first time in more than a decade, Chalfont Judokwai entered a team into the BJC Senior Nationals. Laura who should have been in the under 52Kg found herself 'merged' into the under 56Kg so doubly well to her. Tom had a good sized group to compete in and impressed with his good 'Ippon' technique. All in all, this was a very good start at this level of competiton and next year we expect to double the number attending and produce a larger medal haul.
Chalfont Judokwai once again enjoys great success as we attend the Southampton Samurai Open Championships on the 6th November 2010
Once again, bolstered by our success in earlier competitions, we entered a team of ten into this championship. Particularly gruelling for some such as Jonah and Noah who were forced out of their beds at 6:30am in order to get there on time. All of our members did well and have good reason to be proud. Jonah, for reasons of administrative error was entered into the weight group above his actual weight. That did not deter him as he won his first fight inside two seconds and continued to work his way through the group to his first Gold at this level of competition.
Name
Category
Result
Jonah
Primary (under 30Kg)
Gold
Molly
Junior (under 50Kg)
Gold
Chelsea
Junior (under 60Kg)
Gold
Jonathon
Junior (under 35Kg)
Gold
Allen
Junior (under 60Kg)
Gold
Jessica Day
Senior Open
Gold
Fairoze
Junior (under 65Kg)
Silver
Tom Hargreaves
Senior Open
Silver
Noah
Junior (under 40Kg)
Bronze
A special mention goes to Tom French who started university at Southampton this term. He came along to join us despite not having any 'mat time' behind him since July. Putting in a great show he just missed out on the Bronze and there is no doubt that if he got himself back in practice, that he would be a contender.
Also to be noted are that Jonathon, Molly and Jonah made Gold for the first time!
Videos of many of the contests can be viewed here.
Chalfont Judokwai enjoys great success at the White Horse Oxfordshire Open Championships in Didcot on the 17th October
This year, bolstered by our success in earlier competitions, we entered a team of twelve into this championship and came away with a massive medal haul that once again leaves the Sensi feeling exceptionally proud of their club and its members. Special mentions go to Chelsea for gaining Gold in her first competition and to Jonathon for striking 'precious metal' at last with his Silver.
Name
Category
Result
Allen
Junior (under 60Kg)
Gold
Chelsea
Junior (under 60Kg)
Gold
Jessica Day
Senior Open
Gold
Rhys
Junior (under 55Kg)
Gold
Shona
Junior (under 50Kg)
Gold
Jamie
Junior (under 40Kg)
Silver
Jonathon
Junior (under 35Kg)
Silver
Laura
Senior Open
Silver
Tom Hargreaves
Senior Open
Silver
Elliot
Junior (under 50Kg)
Bronze
Fairoza
Junior (over 60Kg)
Bronze
A special mention goes to Rachel Weightman. Rachel has only recently joined our club with just seven sessions behind her. She entered as a Ladies Senior Novice but there was only one other in her group so she was merged in with the Senior Kyu grade ladies and also had to fight (amongst others) Jessica and Laura. She did win one contest, against the other novice. She put in a gusty display and should be very proud of herself.
BJC Welsh National Championships
Sunday 26th September 2010 Hereford
A team of twelve entered this year, our largest entry ever in this contest. Our hopes were high after the success we enjoyed at the BJC Nationals in May. But we excelled ourselves with the highest medal tally to date! Every one did very well and even those who did not make the medals, showed a considerable improvement in form with the special mention going to Molly.
Medal table
Name
Result
Jessica
Gold
Laura
Gold
Feiroze
Silver
Jonah
Silver
Rhys
Silver
Shona
Silver
Allen
Bronze
Noah
Bronze
Other club members who unfortunately just missed out of the medal stakes include Molly who won two out of four contests, Elliot, Jamie also made it to the quarter finals. Well done to everyone!
A number of videos have been uploaded and can be viewed Here.
BJC Bucks Area FPJ 1 Course September 2010
On the 18th-19th September Bucks Area hosted the FPJ 1 (Fundamental Principles of Judo level 1) coaching course at Dr. Challoners High School. The course was led by Dr. Penny Grigg 5th Dan and assisted by Len Witts 4th Dan. It was a great success with everyone attending gaining this qualification. Chalfont Judokwai entered in a total of twelve Judoka including eleven who were taking it for the first time (Roy Sensei was revalidating). With all these new coaches, we are looking to develop further our club coaching to make the club even more successful!
Those attending from left to right (Chalfont members in blue): Top row; Chris Harvie 2nd Kyu, Paul Burton Pye 1st Dam, Daniel Saul 1st Kyu, Ron Bratton 2nd Dan, Bob Pearson 3rd Kyu, Nick Chapman 1st Kyu, Jonathan Reypert 3rd Kyu, Allen 3rd Kyu 3 Black, Tom Hargreaves 2nd Kyu, Mariusz Brzozka 1st Kyu, Sarah Murphy 1st Kyu. Middle row; Jack Smith 3rd Kyu, Julia Halstead 1st Dan, Penny Grigg 5th Dan, Jan Gascoigne-Rice 4th Dan, Roy Brewster 4th Dan, Len Witts 4th Dan, Harry Monaghan 1st Dan. Bottom Row; Bob Jones 1st Dan, Simone Briggs 3rd Kyu, Laura Day 2nd Kyu, Shona 3rd Kyu 3 Brown, Jessica Day
3rd Kyu.
Chalfont Judokwai 2010 Awards
These awards are given to the Judoka who have consistently demonstrated within the club the attributes mentioned
Hannah
Best Judo Etiquette
Hannah always demonstrates excellent etiquette both on and off the mat. Pleasant and attentive, it is a shame that not everyone is like her says David Sensei (referring to his own offspring). Roy Sensei retorts "The apple never falls far from the tree".
George
Best Judo Improvement
George struggled with the techniques early on but this year has made a dramatic improvement. Now displaying a much better understanding of the process of breaking balance and moving into each technique, he is demonstrating a good control and understanding of Judo basics. David Sensei is keeping his eye on George for future competitions.
James
Best Judo Spirit
James has been a club member for some time now. He always shows great enthusiasm and commitment. He tries hard and happily works with the newer members so that they can benefit from his experience. His collaborative nature is exactly what Kano envisioned when he developed Judo towards the end of the 19th Century - that people should work together for mutual personal development.
BJC Bognor Summer School 2010
Chalfont & Evreham put in a very strong showing this year with Allen, Jessica, Laura, Molly, Jamie, Elliott and Jonathan in attendance all week and with Shona, Noah, Ellie, Emma, Rhys and Jonah each attending two days. David Sensei was there for three days.
On the Friday for the grading all of the above turned up plus Nick Chapman who initially was 'probably not' going to step onto the mat and then 'might give it a go' with an attempt for his Brown belt. In all we sent 14 Kyu grades which represented an impressive 23% of the total Kyu grades on the mat. This was noted by the senior officers of the BJC and does us all proud.
Name
New Grade
Nick Chapman
1st Kyu (Brown)
Laura Day
1st Kyu (Blue)
Allen
3rd Kyu (Green) 3 Black tabs
Shona
3rd Kyu (Green) 3 Black tabs
Ellie
3rd Kyu (Green) 1 Brown tab
Elliott
3rd Kyu (Green) 3 Blue tabs
Jamie
3rd Kyu (Green) 3 Blue tabs
Noah
3rd Kyu (Green) 1 Blue tab
Molly
3rd Kyu (Green) 1 Blue tab
Jonathan
3rd Kyu (Green)
Rhys
4th Kyu (Orange) 1 Green tab
Emma
4th Kyu (Orange) 1 Green tab
Jonah
6th Kyu (Primary White) 3 Brown tabs
The Pyjama Game
David Sensei has recently finished this book and says "it is the most interesting book on the history of Judo that I have read".
Covering the history of Judo from its roots in Ju Jitsu to Jigoro Kano's grand idea and the legacy that he has passed onto all of us, it is cleverly interspersed with the equally enthralling tale of Mark Law, the author who discovers his own passion for this sport at the grand age of fifty and embraces it for all his worth as he tries to get his body to obey the commands his brain sends it.
An easy enjoyable read it tells its tale in a witty style that keeps you going until the end.
It is rumoured that Mr. Law is busy writing a sequel. David Sensei will certainly one of the first to grab it upon its publication. To find out more, click below.
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