Thursday, April 28, 2011

Dave Boulding 40 years at YJC

Dear Editor


A lot of people give their time up to help fellow sportsman and women, especially children but I wonder if anyone has put in the years that Dave Boulding has given to the Young Judo Club?

40 years, he joined the Club in 1971 and came to us as a Green Belt; he started his Judo at the famous London Judo Society. On moving to Sittingbourne with his wife Lynn Dave decided to keep up his Judo by joining the club with in a few years he reach Black belt Status and become a club Instructor. In those 40 years he reached the dizzy heights of 6th Dan (Red/White Belt), became a Senior Coach with the British Judo Council, first person to become a Level 3 Coach with the International Budo Federation, managed the IBF GB British Judo Junior Team on many occasions, qualified as an IBF Class A referee and still serves on the IBF England Judo Technical Commission all this time he never gave up teaching children at the club.

He did not restrict him self to Judo, he became a Black belt in Jiu Jitsu, Sambo and CombatSombo, he won a World Masters Sambo Silver and was a founder member of the British Sombo/Sambo Federation which is 25 years old this year.

I have only scratched the surface of this remarkable man, hopefully you will contact him to get some more historical background, and the YJC is planning a presentation meal to celebrate his 40 years.

You can contact him on 01795 471218 or 07816642478. I am sure the thousands of youngsters he taught would like to know he is still at the helm



Martin Clarke 8th Dan

YJC President

Thursday, April 21, 2011

FILA MMA called FILA GRAPPLING

Amateur MMA FILA governs and promotes amateur Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) under the name combat grappling. This discipline incorporates techniques from most existing Martial Arts systems, creating a unique fighting environment that alternatively takes the fight from standing to ground positions. Matches are either won by grappling holds such as joint locks and chokes, or by striking and kicking techniques.




Despite its tremendous popularity, MMA is facing various legitimacy issues due to the lack of sanctioning by the national sports authorities and the lack of universal rules that would protect the athletes' physical and psychological integrity. FILA considers that the implementation of an amateur variant that could guarantee a safe training environment and a competition systems complying with the Olympic standards has become an urgent necessity for all athletes wishing to engage in a professional career. Through the mandatory use of protection gear and limited impact rules (especially regarding ground and pound), FILA intends to offer a safe and educational sport that can satisfy athletes with both recreational or professional goals.



With its combination of stand up and ground techniques, amateur MMA represents a great form of self-defense, which is particularly recommended for the training of police, security, and military forces. Amateur MMA is practiced with board shorts and an optional rashguard along with approved protection gear that includes head gear, shin protectors, and gloves that allow grabbing and holding the opponent for a comfortable application of grappling techniques.



Amateur MMA counts 7 weight categories for men and 5 weight categories for women. No absolute category is considered in order to avoid potentially harmful situations.

Men: 60-65-70-75-80-90-110kg

Women: 50-55-60-65-75kg



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Licence and insurance: The FILA licence is mandatory for all international amateur MMA competitions with more than two participating countries. Every international competition shall be anounced to FILA and added to its official calendar. The FILA insurance will only apply to competitions which appear in its calendar. The FILA licence allows its holder to take part in all wrestling styles ruled by FILA.

St Petersburg to host 2013 World Combat Games

Sambo is one of the major events in this Combat Games the equivalent to the Olympic Games and the British Sambo Federation will be sending a team. Our selection will start as of now we will be seeing the progress of our athletes over the coming 3 years what competitions they enter, what seminars they attend etc. Those who will represent GB will be chosen by a selection committee not by a one of trials So if you are interested in competing in this prestigious event let us know now. NO JOHNY COME LATELY FOR BRITISH SAMBO



St. Petersburg to host the 2013 SportAccord World Combat Games 08/04/2011 London, 8 April 2011 – St. Petersburg has been announced as the host city of the 2013 SportAccord World Combat Games. SportAccord President Hein Verbruggen and Mikhail Ossievski, First Deputy Governor of St. Petersburg, exchanged the Host City contract during today’s SportAccord General Assembly.



2013 will see the second edition of the SportAccord World Combat Games. Savate and Fencing will be new on the programme. ‘We are happy that two more sports want to join the World Combat Games’, says Hein Verbruggen, President of SportAccord. ‘This shows that our concept is appreciated by our members and that they want to take this additional opportunity to promote their sports.’



Mikhail Ossievski adds: “Martial arts have always been popular, among the numerous sports practiced in St. Petersburg. More than 35 000 children and youngsters go to sports schools and sports clubs where they do wrestling, boxing, fencing, karate, wushu, taekwondo and other kinds of martial arts. There are hundreds of sports clubs in the city and we think that the World Combat Games will further propagate healthy lifestyle among the population and promote the philosophy of good will inherent in the sports.”

EU's £10bn slap in the face for Britain with 4.9% budget rise | Mail Online

NOW TELL ME WHY WE HAVE TO STAY IN THE EU


EU's £10bn slap in the face for Britain with 4.9% budget rise Mail Online

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Judo in the words of Isao Okano-Sensei

This was sent me, its contents I totally agree with

Voice of Japan by Gotaro Ogawa




Judo in the words of Isao Okano-Sensei





In late January, I asked Mr. Isao Okano for his thoughts on today’s judo. It hardly needs saying that Okano-Sensei was Gold Medalist in the middle-weight category at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, as well as two-time winner of the All-Japan Judo Championships (still holding the record for lightest-weight champion). Having also won the 1965 World Judo Championships (middle-weight category), he is one of the very few in Japan to hold the triple crown of Olympic, All-Japan and World titles. He presently holds no official post in Japanese judo circles, but his skills and his unwavering stance toward upholding the fundamentals of judo command respect both at home and abroad.

Though he has just turned 67, Mr. Okano still gets into his judogi and takes his place on the tatami mat in an on-going career that, including his position at Ryutsu Keizai University, involves judo instruction both in Japan and overseas. He carries a mettle that says, “I can’t just stand by and watch judo turning into a sham.” Each of his statements below bears important points relating to the essence of judo.

( February, 2011 Edited by Gotaro Ogawa)



1. “Looseness” in the fit of judogi



For some time, I have felt there is something wrong with today’s judogi.



It is because when you get into them, you don’t get a feeling of “looseness” or “roominess.” To give one example, when I’m giving lessons on Seoinage, I can’t even maneuver my wrist grabbing my opponent’s collar because there isn’t enough room, and that shouldn’t be. If things go on this way, we’ll no longer be able to use this most basic of judo techniques, and it will be impossible to practice real judo. The difference between combative sports like sambo, sumo and Iran’s wrestling as compared with judo comes in what you wear. The outfits make a big difference in what kind of techniques you can use.

Judogi had their origins in the Japanese kimono, and because kimono are loose-fitting, this made it possible to execute a wide range of techniques, and that led to judo’s distinctive “Sho yoku dai wo seisu (small can conquer large)” character. The outfit formerly used in jujitsu was relatively close fitting, but modern-day judo brought in judogi with a fuller, looser fit.

When judogi don’t have the necessary looseness, it kills the unique nature of judo, and judo begins looking like other combative sports, one result being that you lose the interest and attraction of open-weight matches. Speaking of matches, one thing we need is to have pre-match checks, inserting the hand to see whether the athletes’ judogi are loose enough.



2. Ban on use of the hand in direct attacks below the obi



I myself haven’t gone to see many international tournaments so don’t have an accurate grasp of how the new rules banning hand attacks below the obi are actually being applied. But when I heard of these new rules, I felt concerned that they would make it difficult to use “Go no sen (to make a delayed offensive move taking advantage of the opponent’s attack)” and would reduce the interest of open-weight matches.

There are two main approaches to taking “Go no sen.” One is to use your opponent’s technique and turn it on himself. The other is to absorb it and turn to applying one of the techniques you yourself are good at. I got the impression that under the new rules, we’d no longer be able to use techniques like the Sutemi Kouchigari, Kataguruma, or Ouchigari with a hold on the leg, and that it would be hard to execute Sukuinage or techniques where you hold your opponent around the waist and throw. In that case, it would put an end to “small can conquer large” open-weight category matches. I thought that at the very least, there must be a way to designate just a bare minimum of techniques to be banned.

Only, later on, when I went to the United States and watched practice and matches there, I noticed that under the new rules, a good number of judoka were not aiming for the legs but instead working harder to master fundamental judo techniques like the Uchimata, Taiotoshi and Seoinage. It was good to see judo becoming more authentic, but in another way, I felt there were fewer techniques showing originality and that offensive and defensive interactions had become simple and less interesting.

I want to keep a close watch on how these new rules develop.



3. Newaza



Newaza are essential to judo. Gaining skill in Newaza depends on how you use your legs and requires hard training in using all four limbs, both arms and both legs. Many of today’s judo athletes don’t know of these fundamentals.

When you watch Newaza in matches these days, you find a tendency to lie face down on the mat waiting for the referee to help you out with a “Mate” call. With tactics like this, Newaza are as good as dead. Turning your back on your opponent means getting attacked from behind, and that kind of tactic has no place in the martial arts. You have to lie face up and spar. Shouldn’t they be considering laying penalties on athletes so passive as to lie face down waiting for help from the referee? That would be one way to get Newaza back to the position it deserves.

There are also problems with the referees. Referees don’t know enough about the process of Newaza, so they have a strong tendency to make the two opponents return prematurely to their feet. If they had a good knowledge of the unfolding process involved in attacking and defending in Newaza, they would know whether it’s coming to a standstill or not. There are all too many referees who don’t know much about it, or who have only shallow experience. There’s a need to stop giving refereeing positions to people like that. While on referees, to make another point, it’s really regrettable how many times in international matches you find techniques unqualified as Ippon being declared, nevertheless, as Ippon. There is a clear need for the training and drilling of referees.



4. Riner’s manners



Last September in Tokyo at the open-weight category finals of the World Judo Championships, when France’s Teddy Riner lost by decision, it was reported that he was dissatisfied with the referees’ decision and left the mat without giving the “rei” bow. I wasn’t there to see it in person, but if the media reports are correct, it is a serious problem. Judo begins and ends with “rei.” You might have lost or disagreed with the decision, but leaving without “rei” is the same as starting a brawl.

Down through the years, judo in France has been taught as judo should be, so it is my expectation that this incident has not been overlooked. It would be strange if those in French judo circles did not caution Riner or serve him with a penalty, and could lower France’s reputation. Japan herself should have given a warning on this matter. Many young people and children learning judo here in Japan were watching through television and other broadcasts. “Judo Renaissance” has been emphasizing manners and respect. Japan should have lodged a protest. If Japan is weak at voicing her opinions on an international level, then she should join with France and speak out on this subject.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Thanks M.A.I.

Some years ago there was no end of Martial Arts Magazines but now there is only two Martial Arts Illustrated and Combat (plus its other names) and an Internet mag MartialArtsNews which has been very good to us in publishing some of our reports, the others left a lot to be desired so it came as a pleasurable surprise to see a couple of articles published in M.A.I. thanks very much it is appreciated so lets respond by buying their mag and maybe we will get more published.



Monday, April 18, 2011

Over Inflated

A friend of mine from the USA sent some details of some new Sombo Introductory tapes by someone who calls himself a Master of Sport in Sambo, now I am not going to mention his name or his product for two reasons 1) I have not looked at his films in depth so can not make a real comment, what I do know sometimes these people who promote and inflate their own ability can make some very good basic beginner films in the Combat Disciplines, so it may bring in some extra people to Sambo and once they see quality they will move on 2) I am not about to promote anything this gentleman does.


The little I saw of the film an introductory clip did not impress. The most important thing about promoting a Combat Sport is to use correct equipment these guys wore no Sambo Boots wore in correct Shorts and on one occasion wore a white jacket, straight away I am thinking what a bunch of amateurs.

If you want to learn Sambo try and go to a proper Club or look on YouTube there is thousands of clips you can learn from but if you want waste your money go ahead

Monday, April 11, 2011

Judo Ne Waza

British Judo Association


Kent Championships Dartford



Sunday April 10th



Just one member of the Young Judo Club participated in this even and that was Ben Franks who managed Silver and was selected for the Kent Squad. YJC Coaches who attended said that that the turnout was very poor, which seems a shame as 25 years ago Kent had the largest Judo membership in the country. They all thought the Junior Judo was of a high standard with lots of Ippon throws but the Adult section was of a very low standard as was the refereeing with some abiding by the new rules and some not.

The weekend prior to that Keith Costa of the Young Judo Club held a Ne Waza competition at the Swale Martial arts Club East Street Sittingbourne. Ne Waza means ground fighting so a competition that is only on the ground this went down a storm and everyone enjoyed it. Rolling around the ground instead of throwing has become very popular especially as Martial Arts Players seem not to be so robust as those of previous years and the throws which are more difficult to learn and apply need not be learnt. Therefore the throwing styles of Grappling such as Judo, Sambo, Pankration etc are no longer in vogue, only our own club which only does Grappling Arts which involve throws has a had a slump in numbers I am pleased to say has had a slight revitalisation with more Juniors and Adults attending classes. So much so we are thinking of starting a Grappling section for Juniors on a Saturday morning at Nobbys Gym Milton Regis.

Further information www.warriorsgrapplingacademy.co.uk ibfbcsa@gmail.com

Friday, April 08, 2011

Message from the founder of FIAS and others

Dear Martin :




Many thanks for your information concerning the Sambo History in Great

Britain.

Also, I like send to you my congratulations for the 25 Anniversary of the

British Sambo Federation, and my recognition of your excellent work in the

Sambo promotion.

You are the founder of this National Federation and also a Grand Master of

Sambo in FIAS.

Dear Martin, congratulations.

I send to you my best regards and my friendship.



Fernando Compte

FIAS Founder

Honorary President



Dear Martin Clarke!

Thank you for SAMBO.
You are a GREAT man and a big SAMBO coach. You are the best SAMBO man
of the YEAR.
I'm very happy to be in touch with you. I will be in London in next
year on the 30th Olympic Games.
With best regards

Josef Roytman

Dear Martin :
Many thanks for your information concerning the Sambo History in Great Britain.
The 25 Anniversary of the British Sambo Federation – Congratulations!
You are the founder and Grand Master of the British SAMBO Federation.

Best regards,

Dr. Jack Kogan

Pan-American Sambo Federation

(PRESIDENT)

Tel: (732)765-9229
E-mail: FPASambo@Gmail.com

British Sambo Federation 25 years old

http://www.britishsombo.co.uk/25th%20Anniversary.htm

Monday, April 04, 2011

Judo Coach under trial

I have been reporting over the last 18 months how a well known judo coach has been accused of child abuse some 35 years ago and I have said if he was found guilty he should be punished, but the problem with an accusation of child abuse is that you are guilty till you prove your innocence.


This coach was reported to his Association and they acted by suspending him from all judo activities and his club, which sadly is the correct procedure; subsequently he was reported to the police.

The police investigation took over a year and after a vigorous police enquiry the coach was not charged as there was no wrong doing. So you would have thought that the coaches Association would have said sorry, we have to investigate these things, and you are welcome back to the judo world.

NO. The Organisation decided they would continue the enquiry, he is still on the banned list.They have even employed a Private Investigator who is hounding players who knew the coach, to make up some stories! I believe that others have been phoned up by an Association employee, and almost encouraged to make statements against him, despite their positive responses.

The cost of all this must be extremely high, many thousands of pounds! They seemed determined to make the mud stick. So one must ask the question, was there alter motive to this rather dubious accusation?

One thing is sure, the members should ask why they are spending massive amounts of money on this witch hunt, chasing an unsubstantiated allegation, and maybe the people leading this campaign should be asked to resign from their well paid jobs, especially as they are employed to promote judo.

Coaches beware, do not be too friendly with children or parents, someone may be watching.

Sunday, April 03, 2011

IBF MULTI NATION NOW AN OPEN

IBF Multi Nation Judo Championships

This event is no longer a closed event this the first time since the IBF was founded some 40 years ago that this has happened. This decision was taken by International President F Niering without any consultation with IBF GB. IBF GB believes this is a retrograde move and asks why do IBF GB pay affiliation fees to the International Body? The President seems reticent in answering. What is even more insulting we are told if an IBF country doesn’t bring referees they will be fined, that may be understandable in a closed event but not in an open event. In fact IBF GB will not be sending a team several IBF Clubs will be sending fighters. For details of the competition go to the International IBF web site.

After complaining about the multi nations in Holland I was quite shocked by the lethargy shown by IBF members when it comes to competing. I am well aware that times are hard, fuel is expensive that is why the IBF and YJC are organising local competitions in smaller cheaper venues but we must learn to pull together. The Young Judo Club/Warriors Grappling Academy organising Fund Raising event such as Disco’s, Race Nights, Club Competition Waste paper collections that and the commission we receive from the IBF for selling membership helps our members. Recently Senior Judo members went to the top rating Belgium Open Keith Costa who is Chairman Fund Raising Committee helped sponsor the travel, those members attending the Multi Nations will given £1000 towards there travel in fact this will cover the mini bus and fuel, those members attending the British Open Sambo will have the majority of there accommodation paid for, we have spare mats so that we can start clubs in different venues. Our Judo club has about the same membership as other IBF Clubs, but show if there is a will there is a way. Everyone is aware Judo has been in decline for several years but it will not always be so one day it will rise again and IBF GB should be ready for that day.,