When a Judoka at DJ Judo
School shows talent, desire, a love for the sport, and a drive
to better themselves, I always without hesitation send them
in the direction of Pinewood Judo Club.
Pinewood was not my 1st Club. I started Judo all those years
ago with a club called Lippstadt Judo Club at an British Army
base in Germany. This was the beginning of my Judo career but
it didnt really blossom until I was under the instruction of
Don Werner at Pinewood Judo Club in Crowthorne.
Since the birth of DJ Judo School 7 years ago many ex pupils
of mine have taken the brave but correct step in going to Pinewood
and fulfilling their new found talent for Judo.
The first student that
showed promise was Sam Wyke who attended St Michaels School
in Sandhurst. I only had Sam in my class for 2 years until he
moved up to Senior School but I just knew he would go on and
be good at Judo.
I was proved right (as usual) and he is now winning tournaments
nationally and internationaly for Pinewood and has just qualified
for a place on the England team at 17 yrs old. He is also helping
to coach youngsters at the 'DJ Judo School' Judo Camps during
the holidays. He is a talent to keep an eye on.
Although Sam has won many medals and trophies, he still says
his most coveted trophy of all is the 'Best Boy' award he won
at the first ever DJ Judo Camp.
Since Sam, the students
have come thick and fast arriving at Pinewood in numbers.
Sam's younger brother George has also been succesful at Pinewood
after leaving St Michaels School. His best achievement this
year was his Bronze medal at the British Junior Nationals. He
also qualified to represent England in April of 2008. This year
George has won 11 Gold, 4 Silver and 6 Bronzes at tournaments
around the Uk and abroad. This lad has a very bright future.
The quartet of Sam Blair, Leah Blair, Christian Tepper and Sophie
Tepper from Hawley Place School have also moved up to Pinewood
and had huge success.
All four regularly win or at least come home with a trophy each
weekend from tournaments and even sometimes fight on both days
to the delight of their weary tired parents. The highlight of
this quartet was the Bronze medal won by Sam at the British
Junior Nationals. This tournament is rated as the highest level
of Junior competition in the United Kingdom.
At the Pinewood Judo
Club Annual Awards, Sophie Tepper won the 'Intermediate Award'
for hard work, perserverance and courage.
Her brother Christian came 2nd in the yearly medal table for
boys and 3rd overall with an amazing 17 Golds, 2 Silvers and
4 Bronze.
Sophie finished in 5th place with 15 Gold, 2 Silver and 4 Bronze
Sam Blair came 6th overall with 14 Gold, 3 Silver and 3 Bronze.
Leah Blair came 10th with 10 Gold, 6 Silver and 7 Bronze
Sam Wyke and myself unfortunately
have less tournaments to enter so finish much further down the
overall medal table. I finished the year with 7 Gold, 2 Silver
and 1 Bronze from 8 events. Us old people need longer to recover
after tournaments!! The highlight of my year was the World Masters
Bronze medal and of course the 'Top Veteran' Trophy Award at
the Pinewood Annual Awards.
I'll be taking a little break from Judo to recover from my broken
thumb, torn ligaments in my little finger, broken ankle (football),
elbow injury and neck injury. Other than that I'm fine!
Sam Wyke won 4 Gold, 3 Silver and 3 Bronze. There is more to
come from Sam next year I'm sure. He's also turning into a very
good Judo coach.
Other Judoka have arrived
at Pinewood this year and the previous year from DJ Judo and
have done exceptionally well. They are as follows and their
medal results:
James Widman from St Michaels School, 2 Gold, 3 Silver and 1
Bronze.
Charlie Catterall from Hawley Place School, 1 Gold, 1 Silver
and 6 Bronze.
Chelsie Catterall from Hawley Place School, 1 Gold, 4 Silver
and 2 Bronze.
Louise Catterall from Hawley Place School, 2 Gold, 3 Silver
and 4 Bronze.
Emma Chamberlain from Ash Manor School, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
Elizabeth Gainsford from Walsh Junior School, 1 Silver, 3 Bronze
Stuart Gainsford from Ash Manor School, 1 Gold, 3 Silver and
3 Bronze
James Derlacki from St Michaels School, 1 Gold, 1 Silver
Many other Judoka who
joined DJ Judo School that showed a talent were advised to join
other clubs rather than Pinewood, due to the distance they had
to travel to train at Pinewood. Although these Judoka are now
training at clubs like Osaka Judo Club in Aldershot or Camberley
Judo Club, I always advise them that to maximise their Judo
potential there was no better Judo Club in the country than
Pinewood. In time I'm confident they will outgrow their current
club and join the Elite at Pinewood Judo Club.
DJ Judo School is a great way to begin Judo and to really see
if Judo is for you.
I don't mind losing students from my schools for them to achieve
their potential at Pinewood.
I always have three very
important things to say to a leaving Judoka who is stepping
up to the world of Pinewood Judo Club.
• Don't forget who you're first Judo coach was when
interviewed after your Judo Olympic Gold Medal win. ME!!
• Don't be a 'Jack of all Trades', be
a Master of one. JUDO!! (meaning, if you do lots of sports you
cant be great at all of them. Usually you have to decide which
one to fully concentrate on.)
• Judo is an individual sport, not a team sport, meaning
that the only person who can control your destiny is you, the
Judoka! You fight poorly, you lose! You then pick yourself up
and train harder.
You fight well, you win. You take all the credit and then train
harder so you never feel what it's like to lose again.
