Hannah Wood Selected for World Junior Championship
Scottish Judoka Hannah Wood has been selected to represent Great Britain at the World Junior Championships in Guayaquil, Ecuador from 10 – 13 August. Hannah who will join a team of five will compete in the -52kg category following her Commonwealth debut in Birmingham.
Hannah saw success earlier this year when she secured Gold at the Poznan Junior European Cup. JudoScotland would like to congratulate Hannah on her selection and wish her the best of luck.
Fighting Fit Returns For Summer 2022
Fighting Fit: The Summer Edition
With the summer holidays here, Fighting Fit returns!
Whether you took part last time or are new to the challenge, Fighting Fit is the perfect opportunity to keep or increase your fitness during the summer break!
Do you have what it takes to be named Fighting Fit champion and win some fantastic prizes?
Who Can Get Involved?
Anyone can get involved in the challenge as you don’t need any previous judo experience to take part!
How Do I Get Involved?
JudoScotland has subsidised this exciting challenge, meaning that entry to Fighting Fit is Free!
Once you have signed up you will be emailed the Participation Guide and added to the leader board when you submit your results for all the challenges. To get an idea of what the challenge will look like, look at our handy video guides below.
Why Should I get Involved?
There are many reasons to get involved from increasing your fitness, to being part of a community as well as a range of awesome prizes!
Prizes are available for the winner of each category as well as the ‘lucky dip’ prizes you have to be in it to win it!
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Time Left In The Challenge
New to Fighting Fit or in need of some extra guidance? Our National High-Performance Coach Euan Burton is here to help. Watch his guidance below where he explains each exercise in full to help you perfect your technique.
Obituary: Joseph Doherty
It is with great sadness that we have recently lost a member of the Scottish Judo family.
Joseph (Joe) Doherty 6th Dan, passed peacefully on the 29th of June in the company of his family at his home in Port Glasgow. He put up a brave fight as he did in his 60+ years in our sport.
Joe was a hard player, Scottish champion, coach, former SJF committee member, sponsor, examiner, referee and a great supporter of all things family and judo. Founder and coach at St Ninians JC then Boglestone JC. He will be missed for his good sense of humour, can-do attitude, stoicism, generosity and always someone to help you when necessary.
British National Team Championships Returns This Weekend!
This weekend marks the return of the British National Team Championships, the first since Scotland hosted the event in 2019! This year's event will be held at the Walsall Sports Centre, The University of Wolverhampton on Saturday 2nd of July.
This year's event will return to the 2018 format with separate male and female teams. JudoScotland will be sending teams to compete in the Pre-Cadets, Cadets/Junior and Seniors in the hope of being named British Teams Champions once again.
This year's event will be a fantastic opportunity to come together and compete under the saltire in preparation for the Commonwealth Games next month. Our senior Teams will also feature three of our Birmingham 2022 Team Rachel Tytler (+70kg), Finlay Allan (-66kg) and Billy Rodman (-73kg).
Good luck to all the Scottish Teams and coaches!
For all event, information click here.
Talent Development Session Summer Break
The 29th of June will be the last Talent Development session before the summer break. Talent Development sessions will then take a break over the summer holidays, resuming on the 10th of August in the East & West (North session TBC).
Ronnie Saez Elected To European Judo Union Executive Committee
British Judo Chairman, Ronnie Saez, has been elected to the European Judo Union’s (EJU) Executive Committee in the role of Education Director.
Saez is one of 16 members that has been elected to the EJU Board alongside new President Laszlo Toth.
Saez has been Chairman of the British Judo Federation since July 2015 and was Vice Chairman for 4 years prior to that.
Earlier this year he stepped down from his role as Chairman of Judo Scotland, after 10 years, in order to take on the role of Interim Chief Executive Officer and currently holds the position of Secretary and Treasurer of the Commonwealth Judo Association in addition to being Chairman of Clyde Judo Club.
6th Dan Saez is a huge advocate for Masters Judo in the UK and is a 6-time medallist at British National Masters Championships, three of which were British Champion. Saez also represented GB Judo at the World Veterans Championships in 2002.
JudoScotland would like to wish Ronnie the best of luck in the role.
Dr George Kerr 10th Dan and Gordon McCathie Honoured at the Scottish Samurai Awards
On Sunday 19th June Dr George Kerr 10th Dan and JudoScotalnd Board member Gordon McCathie were honoured at the Scottish Samurai Awards at Broomhall House.
Based on the Japanese ‘Order of the Rising Sun’ (ORS), the Scottish Samurai Awards were founded in 1994 by Ronnie Watt. The awards celebrate those who excel and those who serve with distinction. In order to be nominated individuals are put forward because they are appreciated and admired for what they have done.
Dr George Kerr was promoted to the highest award the OSS Taisho ( General ) for his services to the martial arts, Japan and Scotland whilst Gordon McCathie received the OSS Shogun for his contribution.
Gordon MaCathie said "Kano said 'The purpose of the study of judo is to perfect yourself and to contribute to society.' This award recognises that achievement which is very humbling and confirms that we are on the right path."
JudoScotland would like to congratulate both Judoka on such a tremendous and well-deserved achievement.
Gary Edwards Awarded 7th Dan
JudoScotland is pleased to share that Gary Edwards has been awarded his 7th Dan diploma from the IJF. Obtaining a Dan grade is one of the highest accolades for a Judoka, working your way through the Dan grades is a truly phenomenal achievement.
In the words of Prof Jigoro Kano; “rank advancement should signify not only technical proficiency, but your level of advancement in issues of morality and character development, and contributions to society, community and the greater world around you."
Gary has dedicated his life to Judo, competing at the highest level for GB Judo at the World Championships in 1995 and three European Championships. In 2002, the former British no1 represented Scotland at the Manchester Commonwealth Games. In recent years Gary has been laying the foundations for the next generation of Scottish Judoka as the National Talent Development Coach for JudoScotland.
JudoScotland would like to congratulate Gary on his tremendous achievement of attaining 7th Dan.
Graeme Maclachlan Promoted To IJF A Referee
Scottish referee Graeme Maclachlan has been promoted to the highest level of referee recognised by the International Judo Federation at this weekend's Madrid European Open. Graeme successfully completed his examination under the supervision of IJF Head Refereeing Director, Daniel Lascau to become an IJF A Referee.
Graeme, shortly after his promotion, said: “I am very proud to represent both Great Britain and Scotland. This has been a dream for me for many years and I’m thankful to all my friends and colleagues who have encouraged and motivated me without each and every one of you I could not have come close to achieving this result.”JudoScotland would like to congratulate Graeme on this tremendous achievement, which is a true reflection of his hard work and dedication to the role. We look forward to seeing Graeme represent Scotland at future major championships.
Obituary: Alistair Davidson
Obituary: Alistair Davidson
It is with great sadness that we have recently lost a significant judoka in the North East of Scotland.
Alistair Davidson was laid to rest on Thursday 26th May 2022 at the age of 80 years old.
Alistair along with his wife Jean Davidson contributed a significant amount of their lives to judo over the years. Alistair was coach of Aberdeen Judo Club for many years, coaching several junior players to National and International success.
Alistair was a referee and was awarded his 5th Dan in 2015 as well as being a JudoScotland life member. Alistair was a role model and someone who inspired many that learnt from him for so many years.
Alistair will be greatly missed.
