Hi Judokas, Family & Friends

Edge Judo was pleased to be involved in joining in with the IJF `s first World Judo Day on 28th October, Jigoro Kano’s birthday.

“The World Judo Day initiated by the IJF aimed to promote the values of our sport as they have been designed from its inception. With the launch of this event, the IJF also wanted to eventually come closer to the people who make judo alive on a daily basis in all the dojo around the world.”

The objective was to promote a global awareness on the values of judo and its education system to all judo clubs and judoka. This year's theme: "RESPECT". Judo clubs were asked to take action "in" and "outside" of their club.

When Master Jigoro Kano created judo in 1882, he wanted to create a means of education. This is the foundation of our discipline. Judo is not simply a sport but an outstanding educational activity.

Edge Judo used this initiative to run a full open day event. The junior section (U12`s) were invited to prepare a written, poster or oral piece of work on the theme “Respect” and deliver their thoughts and ideas to our guest speakers 4th Dan Sensei John Ritchie & Elite GB U70kg Sally Conway, fresh from travelling and fighting in Rome, Minsk, Abu Dhabi & Turkey.

The Q&A session was fantastic and both speakers kept the young judoka & parents captivated with tales and lessons from the past and present judo scenes and the constant reinforcement of the respect theme.   The session concluded with party games, balloons and birthday cake & squash plus gifts of judo memorabilia donated by the guests & the club to all attendees.

The evening session was geared to the teens & senior section of our community. The session was a balance of fun & work and the co operation and respect of these two sections coming together on the tatami. After each group showing some fine Nagekomi randori a social event followed with birthday cake, squash & bier plus gifts of judo memorabilia donated by the guests Sally, John & the club to all attendees.

We were very pleased with the positive effect this event has left in the club and the positive feeling in developing the club and sport within the wider community outside of the club.