Awesome Judo Party

On Saturday night after coaching I was lucky enough to be invited to a party celebrating Rick Littlewood being awarded a Kodokan Eighth Dan Black belt. This is a big achievement. Only one in New Zealand and very few elsewhere. 

Best of all though it was an opportunity to gather with a group of real warriors. People who have devoted their lives to testing themselves on the Judo mat.

We had most of the first group of Kiwis to live in Japan studying Judo,  People like Rick, Mike Bond, Ivor Endicott -Davies and David Mair,  They set new technical standards and established the networks that made it easier for future generations to travel to Japan and train. 

From that base Judo in New Zealand improved and with access to higher technical standards we produced Olympians and Commonwealth Games medalists. 

But also in this group are a whole lot of hard, tough Judoka who may not have been international players but learnt from people like Rick and Mike and then fought hard in New Zealand and helped raise our standard. In this photo there are a lot of legends of New Zealand Judo. I'd love to list them all but it would take ages. It was wonderful to be in such good company. 

Big Judo is Back for 2018

We are all go. Adults and kids so get back on the mat!  No excuses - and tell your friends!

Big Judo End of Year Technical Workshop

This weekend we had our first Big Judo technical workshop.  It was a big step. We now have a number of Orange Belts and the objective of this workshop was to bring them up to speed on both our curriculum and on the National Syllabus. This means that we have both consistency with the National Syllabus so that when they look at senior gradings they have a good knowledge base. More importantly it allows the adults and kids from our two dojos to come together and benchmark their skills.  

Hard day though. Four hours on the hottest day this year. Only four were graded. Very well done to everybody that attended though, 

Discussing technique.

The crew lined up for the debrief at the end.

Ben and Nellie hot and tired at the end. 
Being an instructor can be pretty lonely at times especially when you are evaluating gratdings. 

Transition from Standing to the Ground

Recently found some old school Judo Vision videos on Youtube.  Really interesting.  Been watching Ray Stevens.  His transition from stand up to the ground is really good watch this video is one example.  There are lots of others.

Big Judo End of Year Visit to University

On Sunday 5 December 2017 Big Judo visited University. We visit at Christmas each year. It is good for the kids to see the Dojo where most of the Big Judo instructors learnt their Judo. 

The kids had a great day doing lots of randori and finishing with a batsugan (or line up contest) .  Then the adults competed in the annual competition.  

Big Judo and University kids bow before having some practice fights on the ground.

Into it!

Kids from both clubs at the end of the day. Rick on the left and Ben on the right.

Straight after the kids finished the adults from both clubs and a few from Auckland Brazillian Jiu Jitsu 'duked it out'. There were some good fights and everybody had a great time.

Adults from both clubs who competed.

End of Term Three

We have just finished Term Three and have had a really good term.  We had lots of kids compete in lots of competitions and won our first juniors medal at the Nationals.  This wonderful progress and next term looks like it will be even better.

Next terms highlights are gradings and our end of year visit to University Judo Club.

Big Blue Judo Machine Notice of AGM

Big Blue Judo Machine gives notice that the 2016 / 2017 AGMs will be conducted on Saturday 14 October 2017 at 4.30 pm at the Sandringham Dojo.

As per Article 11.2 of the Constitution the business of the Annual General Meeting shall be:

(a)         To receive and approve the Annual Report and Financial Statements.

(b)         To elect officers.

(c)         To consider motions of which notice has been given.

(d)         To transact general business.

All members of Big Blue Judo Machine are welcome.