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We spoke to our medal winners from the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games to hear firsthand accounts of their remarkable success.

One year ago today, our Scottish judoka created their own piece of history by entering the tatami for the first time at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Though the sport was not included in the 2018 edition, spirits were high thanks to the success of the 2014 Games in Glasgow, where 13 medals were won (6 gold, 2 silver, 5 bronze) over three days, making judo the most successful Scottish sport at a single Commonwealth Games in history.  

In total, 11 judokas travelled up to Birmingham for the games and, with a strong Scottish support behind them, they were once again successful, taking home four medals (1 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze). 

Seven Scottish judoka took to the mats for day one. Finlay Allan was the first to secure a medal, earning silver in his debut appearance at the games. Following an impressive early round showing, beating Mauro Nassone of Mozambique, Steven Mungandu of Zambia and Jasleen Saini of India in the semi-final to come up against Georgios Balarjishvili of Cyprus in the final. It was a thrilling affair and the Cypriot managed to pip Finlay to gold; “The commonwealth games was different to any event I had ever competed in. The media attention was pretty strange to me and the crowd atmosphere was on a different level. I enjoyed the crowd and it helped me with each fight. The most memorable moment was seeing my family and friends in the crowd. They don’t often get to watch me compete so it was really special to have them there and celebrate with them afterwards. 

Malin Wilson was the next Scottish judoka to secure a medal, winning bronze after beating England’s Lele Nairne in Golden Score. Malin’s path to the bronze medal wasn’t straightforward, after winning in her first-round bout she was defeated by second seed Acelya Toprak which meant she went into the repechage and had to win against New Zealand’s Qona Christie to put her back in contention for a bronze medal. Thankfully, a fine display meant she was able to add to the growing medals list. 

Having only recently returned to full training, after an eight-month break for knee surgery – Malin Wilson used the upcoming games as motivation during her recovery period: “I completed eight months post knee surgery, but I went knowing that I had to pick up a medal. If you can focus in the right moments and keep your mind strong and focused in those moments everything is slightly more possible.” National pride also was at the forefront of Malin’s mind, being desperate to add to Scotland’s medal haul pushed her on even further, “I could feel the Scotland logo on my back and the pack patch on my kit. I felt pride but with that came a sense of duty and I felt I must win.” 

We didn’t have to wait long to see our judoka on the podium again as day three saw Sarah Adlington become the first Scottish judoka ever to win two gold medals. Sarah’s success in 2014 meant she was able to use past experience to ensure she had the best possible chance of repeated success: “I think I used everything that I have learned through my judo career to help me win last year. One of the key things I’ve learnt is that you have to enjoy every moment both on and off the mat. A games always brings different pressures. You can go and compete week in week out at judo competitions sometimes you win and sometimes you learn. Often friends and family aren’t even aware that you are competing. When it comes to a games, more people know about it and are interested, the media are interested too, and this is very different for judo players.  I think there was added pressure on me as people assumed because I’d won before I’d do it again, I was very aware though, that in sport anything can happen. My face was on posters in our accommodation and in the Team Scotland house which was a first for me! I had made a solid plan with Billy and Greg for the time we spent in Birmingham before I competed so that everything was geared towards performing my best.”  

Sarah certainly did perform at her best, after beating Dianah Kana of Kenya by Nippon in the quarter-final and beating Abigail Paduch of Australia with a Waza-Ari in the semi-final she faced Tulika Maan of India in the +78kg final. She found herself trailing though was able to produce the decisive ippon, retaining her gold medal. 

Though the tatami may have been in Coventry, you could be forgiven for thinking it was in the heart of Scotland with the stands draped in saltires and a vocal Scottish crowd belting out Flower of Scotland. 

Though the success did not end there for our judoka, Rachel Tytler was able to progress into the bronze medal fight having beaten Hayley Mackay of New Zealand by ippon. Rachel was able to dispatch Coralie Godbout of Canada within 30 seconds, winning again by ippon securing bronze in her debut games.   

Straight after her bout, Rachel was immediately able to share her success with those closest to her: “For me, the most memorable moment was just after I won my bronze medal match, as I went to walk off the mat I look to the crowd behind my opponent and saw two of my best friends. As I turned to face the other side I saw my family, and as I walked off towards Euan I saw my club behind him. I had no idea where any of them were sat. At that moment my eyes were drawn to the most precious people, no matter where I looked. The support and team spirit from every single Scot in the stadium was incredible. You could hear the support throughout the whole thing. It was incredible being able to compete in front of my family and friends, most of which was their first competition to watch. Being able to share the experience, joy and success with them was phenomenal.” 

A year has now passed since our judoka’s success in Birmingham. Though the team is made up of athletes from across the country, coming from different clubs. The shared team spirit at the games proved to be a huge driving point behind their success.  

Finlay Allan said: “The team atmosphere was great and played a big part. It was great to have a team around us to keep us in the best shape possible it was a massive help.” Malin Wilson added: “Judo is unbelievably hard in so many ways and on so many levels. A strong support network is ideal.” Sarah Adlington echoed their statements: “It’s so important if you want to be successful in anything to have a good team around you that want the best for you.” 

The 2022 Commonwealth Games has reaffirmed our judoka’s love for the sport, Rachel Tytler explained: “My medal was a bit of a confidence boost for my judo. However, I imagine for most judoka it would make them strive for more medals but for me, it has changed my mindset in that I need to enjoy what I’m doing more in order to succeed rather than chasing the medal.” 

As we reflect on the one-year anniversary of our Scottish judoka’s historic achievements at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, we are reminded of the indomitable spirit and dedication that brought them success. The games were a moment of pride for Scottish judo, as our athletes once again proved their prowess on the world stage, securing four medals in total and fantastic performances from all Scottish Judoka. From Finlay Allan’s remarkable silver medal debut to Malin Wilson’s hard-fought bronze after a challenging recovery, our judoka’s determination was unwavering. Sarah Adlington’s outstanding feat of becoming the first Scottish judoka to win two gold medals showcased her expertise and passion for the sport. Rachel Tytler’s bronze medal win highlighted the power of a strong support network and the sense of camaraderie that binds our team together. As we look back on this extraordinary chapter in our sporting history, we are inspired by the shared team spirit and can’t wait to see what’s to come in the next year. 

We are delighted to announce that Luke Struthers has been appointed as Lead Wellbeing & Protection Officer at JudoScotland on a full-time basis.  Luke’s appointment comes after a comprehensive recruitment process which saw over 30 applicants and multiple rounds of interviews.

Luke will continue to build on the great work of Safeguarding & Wellbeing Executive, Colin Aitken, who will step down from the role on Monday 31st of July. Colin held this position on a volunteer basis until 2018 when he joined the staff team part-time, has been pivotal in the expansion of safeguarding and wellbeing within the organisation and has assisted in the development of our new strategic plan, ‘Judo For All’, that aims to embed safeguarding and wellbeing throughout the entire organisation. JudoScotland would like to take this opportunity to thank Colin for his hard work,

On his appointment Luke said, ‘I am looking forward to beginning my new role at JudoScotland, and continuing the great work that Colin has achieved over the last few years, helping to ensure the wellbeing of all participants in judo in Scotland. Practicing sport, and judo in particular, has so many benefits, and I feel that everyone should be able to enjoy sport in a fun and safe environment appropriate to their needs. I look forward to supporting judo clubs to continue the great work they do delivering judo, and helping them make their clubs an even safer space for people to enjoy this amazing sport’.

Luke, who currently holds the position of Regional Development Officer for the West of Scotland, will start in the new role on the 7^th of August. I am sure you will join us in wishing Luke every success in his new position. If you would like to get in touch with Luke to discuss a wellbeing & protection matter, you can do so via email LukeStruthers@JudoScotland.com or call on 07495 836 223.

Looking ahead to the European Championships in Rotterdam next month, Kirsten Taylor on her journey so far, unconventional training methods and her Paralympic aspirations.

Growing up in school, Kirsten hated PE: “My teacher didn’t understand how bad my vision was, it was frustrating because I always liked sport but my teacher used to think I was just messing about and I was seen as disruptive”.

That teacher may be forgiven for being a little surprised when they potentially see their once disruptive pupil represent Great Britain at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Her experience in school never dampened her love for sport. Kirsten tried her hand at swimming, dressage and athletics – though felt she was overprotected as she recalls not being allowed to take part in sprint training: “They didn’t know what to do with me, I was either completely unsupported or if we were meant to be doing sprints they wanted me to just walk.”

After quitting both athletics and swimming, a chance encounter at a Scottish Disability Sport Have a Go Day in 2016 ignited her love for judo.

“I originally went to get a shot on the fancy tandem bikes, but judo was one of the sports they were doing. I found I quite liked it and the coach who was running it urged me to keep doing it so I left with a phone number to join a club.”

Upon arriving at her first session at Tayside Judo, she was hooked: “I turned up on the first night and there was absolutely no weirdness about my visual impairment. Everyone at the club treated it like it was completely normal.

Kirsten commented on how the positive influence from judo coaches differs from the stereotypical hardened Scottish coach you may find in other sports: “Judo coaches almost seem to take a more laid-back approach, everyone I’ve come into contact with in judo has this ability to make me want to make them proud.”

Even though she was a novice to the sport, Kirsten’s competitive edge couldn’t be tamed “I have always been paralympic focused. Every sport I look at I ask myself, ‘Can I do this at a paralympic level?’ I was thinking how long could it take for me to be at a level where I can compete.”

Her unwavering self-belief was soon rewarded with a place in the Paralympic Pathway Programme with Team GB after some time in the Para Potential Programme, an initiative to develop the next generation of paralympic judoka. The idea of taking part in the Paralympic Games would be enough to leave any athlete feeling the pressure, thankfully Kirsten has enough on her plate to not get bogged down with nerves. “I’ve currently got three dogs, I’ve been taking part in dog shows and dog sports for 18 years and we go to Crufts (the Olympics of the dog world that takes place annually in the UK). It’s totally different from judo and allows me to switch off and focus on something else.”

Kirsten’s main focus for now is the European Championships in Rotterdam next month. Desperate to improve upon last year’s fourth-place finish and leave the Netherlands with a gold medal, a new training plan – integrating two very different sports- has been developed.

Starting pole training alongside rejoining an athletics club may not sound like the usual training routine, but the displays in her recent performances speak for themselves. “It’s made a big difference, the sprint training has made me feel much more in control of contests, like I can outlast my opponents and with pole training I’ve improved my flexibility, I’m moving my body better and I used to be heavy on my feet but now I can twist and roll a lot more.”

Her message to anyone thinking of taking up the sport is simple: “Try judo. Find a club, it’s just so good and I’m pretty sure anyone who tries it will stick to it. We’ve had a good few VI’s (visually impaired athletes) come through Tayside Judo, they turn up and don’t leave! ” she says, “It’s just great, I love judo. Everyone should do it, definitely, more schools should do it.”

With the backing of the JudoScotland community and her six dogs, Kirsten goes into the European Championships full of confidence knowing she found her true calling in judo, a sport that embraced her. Her athletic prowess, coinciding with positive coaches who helped hone her craft, has set Kirsten up for an incredibly exciting future in the sport.

JudoScotland is delighted to launch our new supporters shop in partnership with Macron Sports Hub Aberdeen. The online shop will allow Scottish judo fans to purchase a range of top-quality Macron training gear to wear whilst training off the mat or supporting our Judoka.

Macron works hard to create cutting-edge, high-performance sportswear to support athletes from grassroots to professionals in their efforts to become their own hero on and off the field of play. They strive to build a community that shares our passion for true sport and believe that high standards of good management, social responsibility and respect for the environment are the way to design the future.

We are pleased to share that as well as hosting our online merchandise shop, Macron Aberdeen have supplied the training tracksuits for the JudoScotland National Squad. The tracksuit will be worn by the team, off the mat, when representing Scotland at all competitions and camps.

You can shop the full range of JudoScotland training gear, compression underwear and accessories via our online shop here.

“Home or away, always stick by your team’s side. Because cheering is a matter of style too.”

Is there someone in your club that goes above and beyond? Is there a referee at events that goes the extra mile to help contribute to a positive experience? Do you know a volunteer in Judo that genuinely improves lives through their actions? Well now is your time to recognise them with the 2023 JudoScotland Coaching, Officiating, and Volunteering Awards!

The JudoScotland Coaching and Volunteering Awards are a National Awards programme designed to recognise the hard work and dedication of the Judo workforce in Scotland. The awards are presented in the Judo club, surrounded by those that have nominated the individual but are celebrated nationally.

Get your nomination in by Friday 1^st of September to show your appreciation!

Community Coach of the Year

This award will be made to a coach who has supported the development of judoka and has significantly increased the Judo opportunities available and participation levels within their community.

Disability Coach of the Year

This award will be made to a coach working with people with a disability. The award looks for evidence of a person-centred development leading to successful performance and/or sustained participation of those taking part.

Technical Official/Referee of the Year

This award recognises the hard work and dedication that technical officials and referees make to the competition structure in Judo.

Pathway Coach of the Year

This award will be made to a coach who has supported the development of judoka and has significantly increased the Judo opportunities available and achievement levels within their community.

Volunteer of the Year

This award will be made to a volunteer in a non-coaching role, aged 26 years or more (on 1 September 2022), who has made an outstanding contribution to their club, the wider judo community or to the development of judo.

Young Coach of the Year

This award will be made to a coach aged 25 years or younger (on 31 August 2023). This award looks for young people who have invested in their development as a coach and have made a significant impact on the people they coach. The club will be a better place for having them in the team.

Young Official Award of the Year

This award will be made to a Technical Official or Referee aged 25 years or younger (on 31 August 2023) and recognises the hard work and dedication that these roles make to the competition structure; providing fantastic opportunities and experiences in judo.

Young Volunteer Award of the Year

This award will be made to a volunteer in a non-coaching role, aged 25 years or under (on 31 August 2023) who has made an outstanding contribution to their club or the wider judo community.

Community Coach of the Year: Gregor Gardiner – Azami Falkirk

Young Coach of the Year: Charlie McLean – Irvine Judo Club

Disability Coach of the Year: Michele Strachan – Tams Brig Judo Club

Volunteer of the Year: Niall Allison – Orkney Judo Club

Technical Official/Referee of the Year: Andrew Swinburne – Carnegie Judo Club

Young Volunteer of the Year: Amy Staunton – Hamilton Judo Club

Young Official of the Year: Paige Sweetland – Jidel Judo 93

Pathway Coach of the Year: Andrew Malone – Hibari-Kan Judo Club

The Scottish judo community recently got behind Kavan Majidi, who trains with Edinburgh Judo Club, as he competed at the World Championship in Doha as a member of the IJF Refugee Team, however, the impact of Judo on the Refugee Community in Scotland goes much further.

The UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency, estimates that there are 32.5 million refugees worldwide as of mid-2022. In 2001, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan founded the Office on Sport for Development and Peace (SDP), advocating sport as having “an almost unmatched role to play in promoting understanding, healing wounds, mobilising support for social causes, and breaking down barriers”. Recognising that Judo can provide a positive release of energy for those that have suffered the trauma of war, three groups in the West of Scotland are providing opportunities to support the refugee community.

In North Ayrshire, The Loretta Doyle Foundation has started a 13-week programme designed to enrich the lives of 20 Iraqi refugee children and young adults who have been rehoused in the area by the Scottish Government and local authorities. Which will shortly be followed soon by another programme for Ukrainian refugees in the same proximity.

Not only does the class aim to help these new judokas achieve their first grade, it offers so much more. Bringing refugees into the judo family provides a sense of belonging and social connection that might overwise be missing in their new alien circumstances, away from their homeland.

World and European Judo Champion, Loretta explains the purpose of the foundation, “I’ve had a good life through Judo. I now want this Foundation to give to others what Judo has given to me… to share the benefits that Judo can provide with those who are disadvantaged in life for whatever reason their age, poverty, illness, physical or mental incapacity.”

Meanwhile, Clyde Judo Club will be hosting a 12-week programme to support refugees in Erskine, with the hope to expand in the surrounding areas. The project aims to integrate those taking part into the Judo community, helping them to find clubs in the local area when they are re-housed to provide a level of stability through Judo.

In Glasgow, Pro Judo is offering refugees in the area free Judo sessions at all their club venues, which they have been able to fund through their charitable arm Sporting Chances Alba. For the club, integrating with all communities in the areas run is just the norm, Stuart Mallan Pro Judo Trustee added: “We are operating as a club to provide a community resource, for us that just happens to be Judo.”

Through building relationships with local community groups, the club has been able to welcome seven refugees to participate in free judo sessions recreationally right through to participating on the JudoScotland Talent Development Squad and also supporting Kavan before he moved on to train in Edinburgh. Providing them with the support they need to participate in mainstream judo classes, Stuart added “Sporting Chances allows for us to go above and beyond for our members that need it.”. But it isn’t just the club, parents and club members have also gone above and beyond to support the most vulnerable members of their club, with one parent providing two bikes to young judoka who had no transport to get to their judo classes.

We know that these three groups are not the only clubs in Scotland living the Judo values through their community outreach work, if you have a story that you would like to share with us, please email info@judoscotland.com.

If you are a club looking to provide a similar opportunity but not sure where to start, contact a member of the JudoScotland Business Delivery Team on 0131 333 2981 or email info@judoscotland.com.

JudoScotland are delighted to add Shohei Ono to the already exciting lineup for The Gathering 2023!

Double Olympic Champion, three-time World Champion, Asian Games Champion, three-time All Japan Champion, five-time Grand Slam Champion and two-time Grand Prix Champion Shohei Ono will join Masashi Ebinuma and Kana (Abe) Ebinuma to deliver an exciting weekend of Judo.

After an excellent session at The Gathering 2022, we are pleased to welcome back three-time World Champion, Masashi Ebinuma and Two-time All Japan Champion Kana Ebinuma to The Gathering 2023! Shohei Ono will deliver a guest session sharing his immense skill set with the Scottish Judo community.

However, The Gathering isn’t just about what is happening on the mat. JudoScotland are pleased to welcome Dr Mike Callan who will be talking us through a history of judo in the UK, thinking about the lineage of Scottish clubs.

Booking is now open, book your space here.

Team JudoScotland had a fantastic day at the 2023 British National Team Championships. An excellent opportunity to compete as one team with some brilliant wins throughout the day, in a great show of camaraderie from the Scots. Finishing the day with six medals was just the cherry on top of a great day of competition.

The Cadet/Junior Girls’ Team secured a silver medal after an incredible day of competition. An exciting semi-final against the Midlands with a 3-2 win taking them into the final where they lost out in a 3-2 battle to NHC. It was a bronze for the Cadet/Junior Boys Teams who, after a strong day of competition lost out to NHC in the semi-final.

It was a bronze medal for the Pre-Cadet Girls Team, they made their way to the semi-finals following their pool win, however, after giving it their all they sadly lost out with a 3 – 2 loss. In another nail-biting semi-final, the Pre-Cadet Boys lost out to NHC in a 4-3 loss, securing the bronze medal after a fantastic day full of excellent matches.

The Senior Women also secured a bronze medal after a close 3-2 semi-final loss against London.  The Senior Men started the day with a 3 – 2 win against NHC, before moving through the pools to the semi-final where they eventually lost out 4-1 to the South to take home Bronze.

Congratulations to all our Scottish Judoka for a fantastic day of competition!

A Brief update from the Chair of some key events and recent news from June. 

Hi Judo Community,

I’d like to start this month’s report with a huge congratulations to the Scottish Judo Community – clubs, coaches, members and families. I’m delighted to announce that JudoScotland membership has pushed through the 8,500 mark! This achievement is due to all of your hard work and commitment.  We’re exceeding our targeted growth rate and well on our way towards our new set of targets where we’re aiming to have over 10,000 members in the next 3 years.  Very well done and please keep up the good work!

A few more ‘well dones’ to hand out. Notably to Sean Allan, who won Gold at the Special Olympic Games in June in Berlin, and to Chris Murphy who retained his U81kg title at the Virtus Global Games in Vichy, France.

Also to Sarah Adlington who was inducted into the University of Edinburgh’s Sports Hall of Fame and to Paul Grady, winner of the Rob McPherson Volunteers Award at the Scottish Student Sports Awards, marking his commitment to supporting Student Judo.

From a personal perspective, I’m very pleased with the way the Board is developing. At the beginning of the month, we met up with Andrew Scoular, CEO of British Judo, to catch up on general business.

During June we held induction sessions for our 3 new Independent Directors. The session went very well and got excellent feedback.  Then, a few members of the Board, including myself, attended a workshop run by external consultants entitled ‘Building a Sustainable and Effective Board’.  Very interesting!  At the end of the month, we used Teams to run an Online Board Meeting which the Vice Presidents also attended.

Finally, in June we started the process of reviewing our gradings process – looking at ideas for upgrading and enhancing the offering, more on that to follow.

I’d like to wish everyone all the best over the summer. I hope you are getting a chance to have a break and relax!

Thanks

Marc

This Saturday, the British National Team Championships will return to the Walsall Sports Centre, The University of Wolverhampton for an exciting day of Judo. Arguably one of the most exciting events on the domestic schedule, the National Teams is one of the rare opportunities Judoka get to compete under the saltire.

50 Judoka from sixteen different Scottish Clubs will compete together across three teams, in an attempt to be named British National Team Champion!

JudoScotland Teams