RAF Marham Judo Club Update - Events 1 to 4

July 2007
Marham Judo Club started up at the beginning of June this year. Not long after starting up, the club coach Paul Nicholson felt the children would benefit from being entered into a judo event to allow the children to expand on their judo knowledge and put their newly attained skills into practice. Marham Judo Club entered 10 children into a judo event held at North Lopham organised by Denise and Howard Oates from Kumo Judo Club. The event itself was designed not just as a competition but as an opportunity to increase the child’s knowledge on how a competition is run and how the judo score system works. On a personal basis, as this competition was pitched at beginners in a small, friendly atmosphere it helped increase the competitor’s confidence. It was a very successful day with all the children attaining a medal and the children and the club coaches feeling very proud of what had been achieved. It cannot be stressed enough how much courage the children had to actually stand up on the judo mat facing a competitor and to compete. Well done to all those who took part.

Event 2
October 2007
Leicester AJA Open National Competition
Marham Judo Club entered four children into the Leciester AJA Open National Competition at the beginning of October. These competitions can be very demanding as the event is weight banded rather than age banded. Sometimes the older players have a natural strength that is superior to the younger players but this can be overcome by the use of superior judo skills. The competitors entered for this competition were; Daniel Campbell, James Driver, Elinor Glynn and Jenna- Jaye Nicholson.

The first competitor to compete was Elinor. Although Elinor fought fantastically she was up against a highly experienced first competition player and she lost by a hold down. This did not deter Elinor who gave it her all; she overcame her nerves and achieved a highly commendable bronze medal.

Jenna-Jaye was also victim to a hold down in her first fight, as she had drawn a competitor who was older, taller and stronger than herself. This result charged Jenna-Jaye up and she blew the next two opponents away with ippon (the ultimate score in judo). This left Jenna-Jaye battling out for gold with her first opponent. Jenna-Jaye came out with all guns blazing and held her own against her opponent. Although both Jenna-Jaye and her opponent scored the same points, the overall decision for who was to be announced the winner went to the judges and they chose Jenna-Jaye’s opponent to be the gold medallist. You win some and you lose some. Jenna-Jaye came away with a silver medal and the desire for a gold medal the next time.

Daniel fought next and worked extremely well. His first two fights were aggressive and he overcame his opponents with great skill and agility. He got caught in his third fight and had some dodgy refereeing against him. Daniel attained a well deserved…Bronze… medal.

Finally, James was the last competitor to fight for Marham Judo Club that day. This was very much a new scene for James who had only recently started judo in the June and acquired his judo licence. Although he was the clubs most inexperienced player, his determination shone through. He fought two experienced players and although he lost both of his fights, he gave it his all. He did try scare tactics, as his trousers were falling down at one point. But in the future it is strongly believed that James will win the day out with his awesome throwing techniques.

Event 3
Thetford Training Together Day
Marham Judo Club took 9 children to Thetford Leisure Centre for a training together session. The aim of the training together session was for all children in the local area who were over the age of 8 to have the opportunity to train together under experienced coaches. There was also a special guest present at this session, Andrew Moshanov, the British Judo Association Technical Director. The children thoroughly enjoyed his approach to training although they struggled with his Russian accent. The children worked extremely hard for 3 hours practicing judo techniques. As a reward for the effort the children had all put into the day, the club took the children swimming afterwards in the leisure centre. All whole attended behaved extremely well and represented the club brilliantly. Other coaches present commented on the support received that day from Marham Judo Club.

Event 4
Kumo Judo Competition
Marham Judo Club entered 17 children into a local judo event held at Kumo Judo Club. As with the event held in July, this competition was not just about competing it is an event run to help increase the child’s knowledge of how a competition is run, how the judo score system works and promotes confidence and self esteem in the children. All the children entered came away with a medal and a lot more confidence than when they arrived. All the children worked exceptionally well and it was apparent that all the children’s technical abilities had improved since the event had taken place in July. The team sprit was great and as always the coaches were extremely proud of the effort and abilities of the children.

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