News

Glenrothes Martial Arts Centre (GMAC) Judo Club has been recognised as the first judo club in the UK to achieve Green Dojo Kiai status under the IJF Green Dojo Programme, reflecting months of dedicated work and a strong commitment to sustainability. With support from Greener Kirkcaldy, the Club has installed water-saving shower heads, improved their recycling measures, and are developing an energy efficiency plan.  For the Club, the certification is not an end-point but the beginning of a journey towards their long-term goal of becoming a net zero dojo.  

Commenting, Chair of GMAC Judo Club Stephen Black said: 

“We are incredibly proud to be recognised by the International Judo Federation as the UK’s first Green Dojo. This achievement reflects the hard work of our volunteers and members, including three generations of my own family who have been part of the club. Everyone has embraced the idea that judo is not just about what happens on the mat.” 

“We know that the biggest difference our club can make is within communities facing the greatest challenges, including poverty and young people who may be struggling to feel they belong. That drives everything we do from making the club accessible and affordable to all, to building a more sustainable future for the next generation.”

Commenting, local Councillor Lynda Holton, who has been supporting the Club, said: 

“I am absolutely delighted for GMAC Judo Club on receiving this impressive accolade.  They have worked hard to improve the Club’s green credentials and they have huge ambitions to make use of their riverside location to explore a hydro energy project.  I am fully supportive of their aim to become a net zero dojo and will do whatever I can to support them on their journey.” 

Commenting, Jenny Gilruth, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Education, said: 

“I’m delighted to see the Glenrothes Martial Arts Centre Judo Club recognised with ‘green dojo’ status by the International Judo Federation, the first dojo in the UK to achieve this milestone.  This is a fantastic testament to the hard work and commitment of Stevie and the entire team. 

“The club offers a welcoming environment for all ages, and I would encourage anyone interested in learning a new skill to get involved.” 

Become a Green Dojo Today and Be Part of the Change! 

Green Dojo provides clubs with an opportunity to play an active role in protecting our environment while strengthening their dojo culture and aligning with the values of judo. By participating, clubs can demonstrate leadership, engage their members in positive action, and contribute to the wider judo community’s commitment to a greener future. JudoScotland fully supports this initiative and looks forward to seeing our clubs lead the way in embedding sustainability within everyday judo practice. 

If your club is interested in becoming an IJF Green Dojo, you can find out more by clicking the link below.

JudoScotland is delighted to welcome a new cohort of passionate young leaders into the 2026 Senpai Programme!  

Building on the success of the Senpai Programme in 2024 and 2025, we are delighted to welcome eight judoka from seven venues across four clubs, to the 2026 Senpai Programme. Designed to develop the next generation of leaders within Judo in Scotland, the programme has had a powerful impact in recent years, with participants playing a vital role in bringing the Judo For All strategy to life. 

The programme offers meaningful opportunities to meet new people, build lasting friendships, and connect more deeply with the wider judo community. Throughout the journey, Senpai participants explore a range of development pathways within JudoScotland, gaining insight into coaching, officiating, volunteering, club support and personal development. 

The impact speaks for itself: 80% of the 2025 participants reported feeling more confident after completing the programme, with 20% saying they felt much more confident, and 100% would recommend the Senpai Programme. We can’t wait to see what this year’s cohort will achieve. 

JudoScotland Club Support Officer Sam Ingram, who leads the Programme, added “Building on the incredible achievements of previous Senapi participants, I am excited to work with this year’s cohort and see what they will achieve. In recent years, participants have embraced opportunities within their clubs and the wider community, taking on volunteer and paid roles, supporting younger judoka, and contributing with growing confidence and professionalism. With the strength and scope of this year’s cohort, I’m looking forward to seeing what they achieve through the programme.” 

Edinburgh University Judo Club is a club that makes creating an inclusive and supportive environment for women a priority 🥋 With a strong history of female leadership in the club and through Judo Girls Rise investment, they’ve built a culture where women aren’t just participating, they’re thriving. One individual at the forefront of this is Coach Xavière Hermant who has become a pillar in the club for all of it’s members.

March was another busy month for judo.

It started for me on Monday 2nd March at 8am when I had my weekly catch-up with our Vice Chair Sandy Hodge, to discuss the current issues and key topics.  These sessions are always highly productive and valuable.

Then, on the 3rd, Judith and I flew down to London for a prearranged meeting with the British Judo Council.  It is crucial that we maintain good working relationships with such organisations to the benefit of all.    Again, I felt that the meeting was highly beneficial and will be followed up on in due course.  I’d like to thank the British Council Team – Bob, Bernard and Annette for hosting and attending.

Next, we had the annual Hibari Kan event on 14th March at Ravenscraig.  Again, it was good to catch up with the membership and to talk about current issues, and, as always, the event went very well.

On 17th March, we had our JudoScotland board Meeting – a stacked agenda which ended up in the session overrunning by 30 minutes – apologies to attendees!

And finally, I would like to thank Sensei Yoshihiko Iura, 8th Dan, for an excellent Kata Weekend on 28th and 29th March at Cluarankwai Judo Club in Kilmarnock.  It’s great to have such incredible and influential figures in world judo sharing their skills and experience here in Scotland!

Marc Preston, 7th Dan 

In our latest episode of In Conversation With, we sat down with JudoScotland directors Anthony Daye and Richard Marsh to discuss their roles on the Board and the skills and expertise they bring from their lives outside of it, experience that is helping to shape our new Board portfolio model.

JudoScotland has taken an important step forward in strengthening its leadership and organisational effectiveness with the evolution of its governance structure, a move that reflects the Board’s innovative and forward-thinking approach to supporting the future of Scottish sport. 

The organisation is introducing a new Board portfolio model, designed to ensure each Director’s skills, experience, and expertise are directly aligned with JudoScotland’s strategic priorities. This targeted structure will help drive excellence across every area of the organisation while supporting clearer decision making and more efficient leadership. 

This development reinforces JudoScotland’s ongoing commitment to delivering Judo For All, a strategy focused on creating opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to realise their potential through judo. By strengthening governance now, the organisation is building the foundations needed to support a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable future for the sport. 

The project has been led by JudoScotland Vice Chair, Sandy Hodge, who highlighted the significance of this structural evolution: 

“This evolution of our governance model is essential to the successful realisation of our Judo For All strategy. By ensuring our Directors’ expertise is directly connected to key areas of the organisation, we are building a stronger, more effective Board, one that is fully equipped to support the future of judo in Scotland.” 

As part of the new model, each portfolio will be supported by two Board members, ensuring continuity, shared learning, and smooth transitions over time, a positive example of succession planning and longterm resilience in action. 

The portfolios will reflect the organisation’s core areas of focus, covering: 

• Corporate Excellence 

• Membership 

• Athlete Success 

• Impact on Scottish Society 

This structure not only strengthens Board alignment with strategic priorities but also reinforces JudoScotland’s role as a progressive, responsible, and well governed Scottish sports Governing body setting a strong example for leadership across the sector. 

Details on which Board members have been appointed to each area, can be found here. 

Are you ready to help shape the future of Scottish Judo? We’re seeking a passionate full-time Performance Pathway Coach to enhance our team at JudoScotland. This isn’t just another coaching role, this is your opportunity to lead, inspire, and elevate the next generation of Scottish judoka, from Pre-Cadet to Senior levels, guiding them toward success on the world stage. This role is initially a 12‑month fixed‑term position, with the possibility of extension beyond that period.

About the Role

As Performance Pathway Coach, you’ll:

• Coach and support judoka across all stages of our performance pathway

• Deliver inspiring, high-quality training sessions and workshops

• Work with athletes to set goals and track progress

• Build strong links with clubs and personal coaches

• Help organise camps, events and international opportunities

• Promote athlete wellbeing and support smooth transitions across the pathway

If you’re passionate about performance coaching and want to help shape the future of Scottish judo, this could be the role for you.

Download the application pack to find out more and apply.

JudoScotland is delighted to announce that The Gathering will return to the Emirates Arena, Glasgow, on 31 October and 1 November 2026, bringing together the Scottish judo community for a truly exceptional weekend of judo.  

The Gathering is more than a CPD weekend; it’s a celebration of judo. It’s a chance for our community to connect, learn from one another, and be part of something bigger. This year, we’re thrilled to welcome two Georgian greats, judoka who have helped shape the modern era of international judo. 

With the British Veterans Championship taking place in Paisley just down the road that same weekend, we’re excited to once again make the greater Glasgow area a destination for Judo. 

Tato Grigalashvili — Triple World Champion, Olympic Medallist 

Tato Grigalashvili has become one of the defining competitors of the –81kg category. Known for his dynamic gripping, powerful throwing style, and exceptional technical clarity, he has dominated the world stage with: 

• Three consecutive World Championship titles  

• Multiple European gold medals 

• Olympic silver at Paris 2024 

• A reputation as one of the most complete judoka in the sport today 

Tato made a huge impact at The Gathering 2025, with attendees praising his detaildriven delivery and the time he dedicated to every individual on the mat. Feedback included: 

“His attention to detail, his enthusiasm and the amount of time he gave to everybody!” 

“Main takeaway was the Georgian grip, taught me some things I had been wondering about and unable to find online, was very thorough in his explanations and genuinely cared that we learnt from him.” 

“The detail in his demonstrations was superb. He gave a brilliant insight into the Georgian style of Judo through the techniques he demonstrated.” 

We are thrilled to welcome him back. 

Lasha Shavdatuashvili — Triple Olympic Medallist, World Champion 

A true legend of the sport, Lasha Shavdatuashvili is one of Georgia’s most decorated judoka. With medals at three Olympic Games (gold in 2012, bronze in 2016, silver in 2020) and a World Championship title in 2021, Lasha’s career reflects extraordinary longevity, adaptability, and tactical intelligence. 

Competing across both –66kg and –73kg categories, he remains one of the most respected and influential athletes on the world stage. His appearance at The Gathering 2026 offers Scottish judoka a rare opportunity to learn from a true master. 

We’re inviting all creative minds to design the official medal for The Scottish National Closed Championship 2026. This is your chance to leave a lasting mark on one of Scotland’s biggest judo events! 

Competition Details 

Theme: 

• Scottish identity meets the spirit of judo. 

Requirements:  

• Must include the event name: The Scottish National Closed Championship 

• Incorporate elements of Scotland (e.g., thistle, saltire, unicorn, tartan pattern) and judo symbolism. 

• Design suitable for gold, silver, and bronze variations. 

Format:  

• Submit a digital design (JPEG/PNG) or a hand-drawn sketch (photo/scan). 

• Deadline: Thursday, 30th April 2026. 

• Submit to: info@judoscotland.com with subject line: Medal Design Competition. 

• Please note: The winning design may need minor adjustments to ensure it works effectively as a medal. 

Prize 

• Winner’s design will be featured on all 2026 The Scottish National Closed Championship medals. 

• Plus a JudoScotland goodie bag. 

As momentum continues to build ahead of Glasgow 2026 this summer, we want to embrace the theme of #GiveToGain this International Women’s Day and celebrate the incredible Scottish female judo medallists from Commonwealth Games past. These individuals continue to break down barriers, inspire change, and understand first-hand the power of investing in and supporting future generations of female judoka in Scotland.   

After being included in the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh as a demonstration sport, judo has proudly featured in four Commonwealth Games over the decades with Team Scotland securing medal success at each one.  At every stage of that journey, Scotland’s female judoka have not only delivered podium performances but helped build a stronger pathway for the young women now coming through the sport. 

Auckland 1990 

The 1990 Games in Auckland marked a historic milestone as the first Commonwealth Games to feature judo and our female judoka made an immediate impact. Loretta Doyle led the way with a gold medal in the -56kg category. With World and European Champion titles already in hand, Loretta’s influence has continued far beyond her competitive career. Serving as a regular commentator for the EJU and IJF Media teams and holding senior leadership roles across the Paris 2024 Olympics, and the Birmingham 2022 and Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games environments, she continues to raise the visibility of the sport. 

Scotland’s medal success was further strengthened by Claire Shiach, who secured silver in the -52kg division and she has since become a key figure in athlete development. Recently recognised as JudoScotland’s Performance Pathway Coach of the Year for her coaching work at Pro Judo, Claire now plays a direct role in nurturing young Scottish talent and strengthening the pathway for aspiring female athletes. Donna Robertson added bronze in the -48kg category, completing a remarkable debut for Scottish women in Commonwealth judo and setting the standard for generations to follow.  

Manchester 2002

At the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games, Scotland’s female judoka delivered another impressive medal haul, showcasing depth across the weight categories. Jenni Brien secured silver in the -57kg division, while Sarah Clark added another silver in the -63kg category. Sarah Clark has since continued to shape the sport off the mat as CEO of Edinburgh Judo Club, previously serving on the JudoScotland Board and working as an athlete mentor with the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust. Through these roles, she has directly supported and guided the next generation of female judoka, ensuring that success on the mat manifests into opportunity off it. 

Bronze medals followed across the programme: Stephanie Hart in the +78kg category, Fiona Robertson in the -48kg division, Karen Cusack in the -52kg class, and Amanda Costello in the -70kg category. Together, their performances in Manchester marked another significant chapter in the growing legacy of Scottish judoka in the Commonwealth.  

Glasgow 2014

The Glasgow Games will forever be remembered within Scotland’s judo community as a moment in time of judo excellence, with 13 of a possible 14 medals secured, with all seven of the female judoka stepping onto a podium.   

Sarah Clark claimed gold in the -63kg category, completing a remarkable journey by upgrading the silver she had won 12 years earlier. Golden sisters Kimberley (-48kg) and Louise (-52kg) Renicks shared an impactful medal achievement that now sits alongside their work giving back to the sport through their club, Kanokwai Judo Club in their hometown, nurturing the next generation of judoka. Sarah Adlington added another gold in the +78kg division, underlining Scotland’s strength across the weight categories.  

The medal momentum continued with Stephanie Inglis taking silver in the -57kg, while Connie Ramsay earned bronze in the same division. Sally Conway secured bronze in the -70kg category, adding to a distinguished career that included representing Team GB at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where she claimed an Olympic bronze. Now a Head Coach with Sweden, Sally continues to influence the sport at international level, a fitting reflection of how Scotland’s female medalists continue to shape and elevate the pathway for young athletes long after their own Games have finished. 

Birmingham 2022

At the most recent Games in Birmingham in 2022, Sarah Adlington made history by securing her second gold medal, becoming the most decorated Scottish Commonwealth judoka ever. Her sustained success provides a visible role model for young female judoka in Scotland, showcasing what is possible through dedication and resilience.

Bronze medals from Malin Wilson in the -57kg division and Rachel Tytler in the -78kg category ensured Scotland’s presence across the podium once again. Rachel now extends her impact beyond competition, recently joining Great Athletes a social enterprise that brings elite sportspeople into primary schools to inspire young people.

Across every Games, our female judoka have done more than win medals, they have strengthened performance pathways, taken on leadership roles, mentored young athletes and invested their time and expertise back into the sport.

As we look ahead to Glasgow 2026 this summer, their legacy reminds us that success is not only measured on the podium or medals brought home, but in the opportunities created for the future generations of females in our sport.