JudoScotland is pleased to announce the appointment of Alberto Borin as Head of Performance and Taka Kitahara as Performance Pathway Coach, following a rigorous and comprehensive recruitment process. These key appointments represent a significant milestone in the evolution of performance judo in Scotland, as the programme transitions to being fully managed by JudoScotland. This marks an exciting new chapter, reinforcing our commitment to developing a world-class performance pathway for Scottish judoka.
Both Alberto and Taka bring a wealth of experience and passion to their new roles. Alberto, a former elite judo athlete, trained at the prestigious National Sports School of the Italian Olympic Committee. His coaching journey has taken him to Switzerland, where he served as Head Coach of the U18 national squad. There, he designed and implemented long-term technical and training programmes that helped shape the next generation of athletes. After relocating to Scotland with his family, Alberto spent several years contributing to their family-run gin distillery business. Since 2023, he has been working as a Support Coach with JudoScotland, gaining valuable insight into the local sporting landscape. Now, with energy and vision, he steps into the role of Head of Performance.
On his appointment, Alberto said, “I’m honoured to take on this role and excited to build on the great work already in progress. I’m committed to driving collaboration, encouraging innovation, and delivering meaningful results that strengthen the Scottish judo community and contribute to the continued success and growth of British judo overall.”
Taka is a familiar figure in Scottish judo, in his previous role as Assistant High Performance Judo Coach with sportscotland, he played a key role in developing athletes for international competition. A former high-level competitor in the -60kg category, Taka holds a degree in Physical Education from the University of Tsukuba. His extensive coaching qualifications and deep experience have made a lasting impact on the sport in Scotland, and he continues to be a driving force in athlete development.
Reflecting on his appointment, Taka added, “As Pathway Coach, I’m excited to support the development of judoka across all levels by building strong foundations for long-term success. I aim to create more quality training opportunities across Scotland, strengthen international links, and work closely with athletes to set meaningful goals. After seven years working alongside JudoScotland, I’m proud to contribute to a clear and supportive pathway that helps our athletes thrive on and off the mat”
JudoScotland CEO Judith McCleary remarked on the recent recruitment process and appointments, “We were greatly encouraged by the strong level of interest shown in both roles, with applications received from across the UK and internationally. We extend our sincere thanks to the British Judo Association and sportscotland for their invaluable support throughout the recruitment process, from shortlisting to final interviews. As the Performance Programme transitions to being managed in-house, we look forward to continuing our close collaboration with both organisations to ensure the sustained success and development of performance judo in Scotland.”
“These exciting appointments mark a significant step forward, enabling greater alignment across the wider Scottish Judo community. This will support a more integrated, athlete-centred approach as we build momentum towards Glasgow 2026 and beyond. We look forward to them joining the team.”
With Alberto and Taka set to begin their roles in early August, JudoScotland is set to embark on a new era of performance excellence, alongside Gary Edwards, whose role has been re-aligned as Performance Pathway Coach. Their combined expertise, leadership and shared vision will be instrumental in shaping the future of Scottish judo. We are excited about the journey ahead and remain committed to supporting our athletes, coaches, and wider community as we strive for success on the national and international stage.