We have had entrants into all these competitions, so far in 2004:
London International Tournament Feb
All four IAPS Events, High Wycombe in March (2), May and June
BJC Junior Nationals, Hereford May and the Notts. Area Invitation event in November.

We are very satisfied with our 4 Gold, 9 Silver and 13 Bronze total for the year.

Fighters of the year were:
1. V. Price, who had the toughest group in the Independent Schools Girls’ Event, but scored 3 fine ippons on route to a well-earned Bronze.
2. V. Wensley, who failed to make the U30K by 0.1K! She then ended up in a combined weight group at U37K. She turned in two superb ippons on ‘huge’ opponents and only lost in the final. So a well-earned Silver.

Our two oldest judoka turned 16 this year and both achieved very creditable gradings. A. Fisher went to Blue in March and Brown, 1st K in Nov. A Danks, 16 in Sept won her Blue, 2nd K in Nov. Both are also coaches now, (see below).

In October we staged our first ever Level 1 Coaching Course with Sensei A. Hosaka 8th Dan. Sheffield clubs provided 7 of the 18 participants. Congratulations to the successful judoka, who are now accredited club coaches. C Utting, A Horscraft, D. Womack, A. Fisher and A. Danks. In addition J. Stephenson and K Payne received Certificates of Attendance, as they are still under 16.

In September 2003 the new English Institute of Sport (EIS) facilities opened in the redeveloped area of Sheffield. Within these fabulous sporting facilities is a specialist judo area with 4 full international-sized mats. We booked these for the first time in March 2004, for one-day’s training and grading and 125 Judoka descended from far and wide. At our second event on the 7th November 160 attended. (See ‘future events’ page for our next event at the EIS in March 2005). One reason for our rapid improvement is the active involvement of parents who have returned to, or started to learn judo. They certainly add a ‘new dimension’ to the training, for all involved – including Sensei! (They are named on the Home Page).

FOR JANUARY 2005 ALL CLUBS
RESTART FROM THE WEEK BEGINNING
MONDAY (10th Jan.)