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Judo Classes
"Judo is a game of physical chess and was devised to allow the smaller more skillful person to overcome a larger opponent."
Children's Judo
Easter Term 2010: 11th Jan 10 - 27th Mar 10
(Half Term Break: 15th - 21st Feb 2010 inclusive)
Summer Term 2010: 26th Apr 10 - 10th Jul 10
(Half Term Break: 31st May - 6th Jun 2010 inclusive)
NB: Classes will be held on Bank Holidays that fall during term time
Judo Gradings will be held on the following dates:
Spring Term 2010: Sunday 14th March
Summer Term 2010: Sunday 27th June
Special Notice - Holiday Breaks
Please note that no classes will be held during the holiday breaks.
Easter Break 2010: 2nd Apr 2010 - 5th Apr 2010 (inclusive)
Club re-opens on Tuesday 6th Apr 2010
- Ray holds separate classes in 4 age groups: 4-6, 7-9, 10-15 and Adult
- The classes take place at Oberon Pavilion and Blossom House School, both in Wimbledon. Please see the Timetable for details
- See below for details of the instructors at the Ray Stevens Judo Classes.
Judo was originally a martial art in the purest sense and was introduced as an Olympic sport in the Tokyo Games of 1964. It can be an Art, a form of physical training, a competitive sport, an outlet for aggression, a builder of self esteem and confidence, a method of instilling self-discipline and respect for others, and for a few a spiritual journey of enlightenment. Please see the Background to Judo section below for more information.
Ray has trained with some of the greatest Japanese Champions and over the years has developed his own teaching style with an emphasis on:
- Purist, traditional Japanese techniques
- Constantly reinforcing the motor patterns and skills
- Learning the fundamentals as beginners
- Learning to use skill rather than brute force and strength
- Training in a unique, safe and disciplined environment
- Focusing on throwing for Ippon
- Ensuring a strong sense of camaraderie in the Dojo
- Adherence to Dr Jigoro Kano's principles
Ray will provide grading, competition and advice for Elite Judoka for those who wish to take their Judo in that direction.
Ray also teaches Senior Advanced Judo at the Budokwai Club, the oldest and most famous Japanese martial arts club in Europe.
Judo Class Instructors
Along with Ray Stevens, the following instructors teach judo classes.
Igor Dimitrijoski
Igor coaches all age groups at the Club. He has been coaching internationally since 2003, and attained his black belt in the same year.
Igor has been practising judo for 25 years, representing his home country (Macedonia) at both junior and senior levels, and as national champion from 1993-1997. He first learned judo from his father at the People’s Club of Prilep, the most prolific club in the Balkans, which over 30 years has produced over 9,000 highly capable judo players, including several hundred black belts.
Igor has a degree in Physical Education and judo coaching qualifications recognized by the British Judo Association as equivalent to UKCC Level 1. As a national of both Macedonia and Bulgaria, he brings a wealth of experience of international judo and coaching styles from Eastern Europe, and from his time training in Japan.
Igor’s values are rooted in the firm belief that you never stop learning in judo, and he frequently says he learns something new by watching the kids he teaches.
Khaled Choudhury
Khaled is a volunteer coach at the club.
He started Judo aged 7, working his way to his first black belt in 1987. He has trained at clubs in Japan, as well as the USA, Russia and over Europe and the Far East. He represented his country at student level, and competed regularly at tournaments in France and Germany in the late 80s, where he developed a reputation for outstanding technique. Khaled is a qualified coach (UKCC and BJA Level 2), and has been coaching children and adults since 1985, including the use of kata (formal principles) to improve technique.
Background to Judo
Judo was developed in Japan by Dr Jigoro Kano (pictured, left) towards the end of the 19th century and has evolved from being a martial art into one of the world’s most popular sports. Since its inclusion in the 1964 Olympic Games Judo has progressed rapidly and is without doubt the world's most popular combat sport. Judo is however much more than a sport, it is also seen to be effective as an educational system in both physical and moral spheres.
Judo training is an ideal form of physical exercise and it serves as a great cardiovascular workout, which improves stamina, general health and overall fitness. Physical strength is also improved as a direct result of trying to control and dictate the movement of the opponent and as well as enhanced power; a Judo player will also improve his or her flexibility. For the same reasons the balance and posture of a player will also be enhanced. Physical co-ordination can be seen to develop dramatically from participation in Judo and reflexes are also improved together with mental reaction time.
Judo is an ideal sport for all ages, males or females and attracts many disability groups. Confidence and self-esteem are enhanced as a player progresses through the ranks and the very nature of the grading system ensures that the next goal is always realistic and achievable with effort. The grading system also ensures that regardless of their skill level all Judo players can actively compete with players of similar ability and hence they have a reasonable chance of emerging victorious.
Because of the potentially dangerous nature of the sport, strict discipline is essential and great importance is placed on safety, hygiene and etiquette. Safety is controlled by the contest rules, which are constantly updated to exclude harmful actions - this allows Judo to be practiced in a spirited manner without undue risk of harm or injury. Hygiene is essential due to the close physical contact between players and Judo etiquette instils respect, modesty, politeness and general social skills on all participants.
Please see the British Judo Association website for information on the value of Judo and much more besides.