Kata has been a core part of Judo training in Scotland since 2009, steadily gaining recognition and importance among judoka of all ages and skill levels. Over the years, JudoScotland has seen a significant rise in interest and participation in Kata, with more judoka embracing it not just as a requirement for grading but as a lifelong learning journey that enhances both personal development and technical proficiency.
Last weekend marked a milestone for Scottish judo as a strong Scottish contingent headed south to compete in the British Kata Championships. It proved to be a successful weekend, with several standout performances. Paul Laverty and Alex Reid delivered exceptional displays, securing gold medals in both Katame-No Kata and Nage-No Kata, and a silver medal in Goshin-Jutsu. Colin Dunlop and David Gibson were in a competitive field of 12 kata teams and did well to achieve a bronze medal in the Katame-No kata. The pairings of Robert Milne & Andrew Gardner and Stanley Shaw & Peter McCann put in commendable efforts narrowly missing out on medals. In addition to their competitive achievements, Colin Dunlop and David Gibson were both promoted to the prestigious position of British Judo Kata Examiners, further solidifying Scotland’s growing influence in the Kata community.
Paul Laverty, who has performed in World and European championships, shared his insights on the evolving perception of Kata and how beneficial it can be in judo training. Speaking to Paul, it was clear that Kata is on the rise in Scotland and although some may view it as a requirement for grading purposes, it’s much more than a technical exercise.
“Kata can be whatever you want it to be,” Paul explains. “If you go into it with an open mind you’ll have a lifetime of learning from it. It benefits everybody, from your own personal development to coaching. I coach differently from before I started kata. I see things so differently. It teaches me best practice and breaks things down.”
Reflecting on the past weekend’s success, he says: “We went down with no other expectations other than to enjoy ourselves. Alex and I have a very good understanding of Kata, we felt we did ok.” Analysing his partner Alex’s performance, Paul states: “There’s not many 65 year olds that can get thrown 30 times consecutively but Alex’s Kata technique is so impressive it’s almost effortless. It’s a controlled environment and shows what good Kata does for you.”
It’s fair to say the interest in Kata has grown significantly in recent years. With more courses on offer than ever before, it’s encouraged more judoka to explore its benefits. As Paul Laverty mentions, “It’s becoming more popular, the British championships this year are the busiest I’ve ever seen. It’s heartwarming to see.”
The continued growth and success of Kata in Scotland have been bolstered by courses such as this weekend’s Kime no Kata course, which has over 50 participants registered. This trend demonstrates a renewed interest and commitment to understanding the deeper aspects of our sport.
With Kata gaining more visibility and recognition, it is evident that it offers invaluable benefits to practitioners of all levels – from coaching insights to personal development, the rise is a testament to the dedication of judoka and coaches. As more people embrace Kata as an important aspect of their judo journey, we look forward to seeing an even bigger engagement within Scottish judo. The recent successes at the British Championships and sell out courses signal a bright future for Kata in Scotland.