Summary of 2024

From March 1st to 8th, our club president and head coach, Roman G., had the incredible opportunity to visit the Kodokan Judo Institute in Tokyo, Japan—the birthplace of judo. The goal of this visit was to further develop his knowledge as a coach and judo club manager, continuing his lifelong commitment to learning and sharing the values of judo with our community at UTS Judo Club.

Joining him on this journey was his lifelong friend Jozef S., who runs a successful judo club in Slovakia—the same club where they both trained as children and juniors. Together, they immersed themselves in the Kodokan environment, attending multiple classes including technical instruction, randori (sparring), kata, and, importantly, children’s training sessions.

One of the most valuable experiences was observing how Kodokan instructors work with kids. The discipline and focus on the mat were truly inspiring and a testament to the traditions and standards upheld in Japan. While our students in Sydney are developing wonderfully, seeing the methods used at Kodokan provided many new insights that Roman looks forward to incorporating into our own programs.

A highlight of the visit was meeting and spending time with some of the most respected senseis at Kodokan. Roman spent significant time with Sensei Otsuji Hirofumi, Deputy Director of the Kodokan Institute. Their discussions about judo education, training systems, and the development of athletes were incredibly rewarding and will greatly benefit our teaching at UTS Judo Club.

The experience didn’t end there. Roman and Jozef also had the chance to connect with members of Park24 Judo Club—one of the most prestigious clubs in Japan and globally. They met Japanese National Team athletes and Olympic and World Champions, including Naohisa Takato (Olympic Gold & Bronze Medalist and 4-time World Champion), Megumi Horikawa (World Champion), and the renowned coach Masashi Kobayashi, who personally trains some of the world’s top judokas.

One memorable evening was spent sharing a traditional Japanese BBQ dinner with these legends, where they exchanged ideas on judo philosophy, athlete development, and the values that make this sport so unique—all over some well-earned beers!

We are excited about the potential to host some of these extraordinary athletes and coaches at UTS Judo Club in the future. This visit marks an important step in strengthening our ties with the international judo community and continuing to bring world-class knowledge and experience back to our mats in Sydney.