New IJF Rules with Chris Mullen

Chris Mullen BJA National Referee gave a seminar at the Swale Martial Arts Club on the new IJF Judo Rules; the seminar was an excellent day and was extremely informative. My own feeling is that the new rules will not achieve their aim of returning Judo to Upright Form of Competitive Martial Art Some may say linking Martial art and Competitive is a contradiction), I will agree that Judo has become just another form of Jacket Wrestling in fact an inferior version of Sombo/Sambo (Russian Jacket Wrestling) but to blame Wrestling styles for its demise is ridiculous. Having watched modern day Judo it is the IJF Rules that have changed the shape of Judo for example:
1) Years ago included in the rules was “Throw must be of Judo origin” when this was dropped I was one of those who said “Good Judo must move with the times” What a stupid boy I was to think because something is new and modern it must be better, maybe I should have kept to “if isn’t broke do not fix it”
2) You could not score if you were on the floor
3) If both of you were on the floor and not in Ne Waza Matte was called
4) You could not pick a person of the floor to score
5) If a throw was not clear cut no score was given. On the seminar we would watch matches and spend an age in discussion deciding who scored what
6) An Ippon was when your opponent was thrown on his back with speed force and impetus or as my father (Nobby) used to say 6ft up 7ft down.
By just going back to these basic measures Judo would become yet again a Dynamic Upright Fighting Sport.
After complaining about he new rules there are some good things one being the size and design of the Mat, now you have 6 metre x 6mtre fighting area normally in yellow with a 3 metre safety area normally in blue as you are now allowed to continue your throw outside without fear of a penalty. Sadly this came 30 years to late for me. On numerous occasions when I was trying for the 1980 Olympics, I would lose on the infamous “Step out” that was just letting your foot go outside the area which was rewarded with a Keikoku, I fought my main British rival on 4 occasions, he threw me once for Ippon, I returned the compliment and the other two times I lost on “Step out” and I was ahead on scores. On two occasions in the Paris Tournament and the Dutch Open I missed medal position because I threw my opponent outside the area but I should not whinge because I knew the rules. This new area favour Technique over Gamesmanship but there is a problem in these days of Health and safety, child protection etc if we do not have a Mat area as prescribed could the organiser be sued if someone got injured of the mat? If so could this be the death knell of all small competitions? I hope not.
The new rules which will be introduced in January will basically ban all techniques below the belt, so great Judo throws like Sumi Gaeshi, Suki Nage, Morote Doro, Te Guruma will all vanish an Ippon has become a role on the floor. That tough sport of Judo has been watered down to pander to the modern generation how long before we see Semi Contact Judo or better still Judo where you gain points for attempting a throw and disqualification for throwing someone. If that what it takes to bring people back to Judo who am I to complain but I am glad I do Sombo that ruffians sport where you try to throw someone hard
Martin Clarke

Greco-Roman, Sambo, Judo, Judo Some the best

Greco Roman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfaUi2q5dd8&NR=1

Sambo
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x61if1_ruslan-sazonov-sambo-techniques_sport

Judo Yamashita
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AajY3HA0RtU&feature=player_embedded

Judo Geesink
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtyWMKs7dp0&feature=player_embedded

Greatest Greco Roman Wrestler ever

Watch this Film on the greatest Greco Roman Wrestler ever

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfaUi2q5dd8&NR=1

What do I think of Cage Fighting

On one of my You Tube sites a comment was made that Grappling was finished as Cage Fighting was the only way forward. To some degree the writer was right, Cage Fighting most probably has had a dramatic influence on Traditional Grappling Disciplines like Olympic Wrestling, Judo, Sambo etc. It has turned the Martial Arts Fraternity into those who watch rather then do, they want to watch two very fit tough men beat each other up, like the people of ancient Rome watching Gladiators fight to the death a form of voyeurism.

In the beginning Cage Fighting/Ultimate Fighting started by the Gracie Family was followed by Martial arts Practitioners who to see how different styles of Martial Arts would work against each, they would watch with anticipation to see if a new technique come out of this mix and match style of competition so they could improve on their own style. As the system became more popular the clever fighter realised that you had to reinvent yourself to fit the the rules etc, they became a new breed of Martial Artists with a new Martial Art some called it cage Fighting some called it MMA. This in its self was good news Combat Disciplines need to develop like everything in life but you must not forget the Past for without that there is no Present.

Sadly Cage Fighting has become a realistic branch of Professional Wrestling where it all about getting Bums on seats, about making a Profit good for the promoter and good for the fighter who can make a living out of this tough, gruelling form of entertainment and lets face it Cage Fighters have to be courageous to get in the Cage. Yet all this does produce followers but very few participants.

After saying all this there is still a respectable level of people participating in MMA events, I had the famous Judoka Neil Adams at my club in the beginning of the year and he told me half of his courses are with MMA guys but I still wonder if the majority of those watching Cage Fighting actually get of there backsides and train.

So do I like Cage Fighting not particularly, I have a lot of respect for the fighters but find it hard to see getting some one on the floor doing the Ground and Pound or keeping your opponent trapped on a Cage and beating them into submission can be called a Sport? to me there was something honourable about beating someone with out damaging them but then again maybe I am a softie but a softie who actually done something not just watched.

Do I want Cage Fighting banned of course not I believe in free choice the Fighters do not have to in the cage but I would like to see more people doing the Traditional Arts and mine is any form of grappling with a jacket, Judo, Sambo, Kurash, Belt Wrestling, Bökh Mongolian wrestling, chidaoba Georgian Wrestling, Pankration etc there is still a lot to be learned fro past generations and past Masters

Forthcoming events

International Budo Federation
British CombatSombo Association
Pankration UK

Forthcoming Events at Sittingbourne Kent
January 31st Sambo Training Session 10am till 1pm cost £10
February 21st Sambo Training Session 10am till 1pm cost £10
March 14th Pankration Seminar Leading European Coach £30
Teachers Certificate Course Sambo & Sport CombatSombo
March 27th & 28tt Weekend £100 including exam

British Sombo Open Championships
Junior and Senior April 11th 2009

Sport CombatSombo Tournament
Senior Men April 18th 2009

Annual Summer Camp Dibgate Folkestone
August 22nd till August 28th

Contact Martin Clarke IBFBCSA@googlemail.com
www.Budo-ibf.co.uk www.sittingbourne.org

Pankration Course

I hope to run an Introduction to Pankration Seminar on March 14th The european President has agreed to come over to give the Seminar on basic techniques and rules the seminar will be for 4 hours and will cost £30

How many of you would be interested?

Things for the future

Have a lot planned for next Year

Sombo Training Sunday 30th cost £10 all money to go towards British Team. Hope to run these on a Monthly Basis

First Aid Course in February Date to be confirmed

Pankration Course Pancration was featured in the Ancient Olympics and is a Striking Grappling Sport. I am trying to get a Coach over from Greece March will most probably be the time.

Colin Carrott intends running Monthly sessions of Junior and Senior Sombo in Capel Le ferne

Russell Dodds and Ian Parker will be starting a Sport CombatSombo in the new year in Bedford

Once I have recovered from my Hip operation in January I will be starting a Sombo Club for Juniors and seniors on a Wednesday night at Sittingbourne

I have a Sport CombatSombo and Pankration club on a Thursday night in Sittingbourne

Sport CombatCombat Examination Course for those wishing to teach Sport CombatSombo March 28th 2010

British Sombo Open has been moved to a smaller venue for 2010 as the recession has seen a drop in participants. It will be at Sittingbourne Community College April 11th

Multi Nation Judo Championships Hastings May 15th 2010 we need your support

Annual Summer Camp August 22nd till August 28th Youngsters 12 to 16 can go for just £150


Please do not forget the Brian Stening Memorial Championships on November 30th 2009


Find out more go to www.budo-ibf.co.uk www.britishsombo.co.uk www.combatsombo.co.uk

Kidnapping , Drug Dealing nice people to train with

Us Martial artists do love to go on about the Bushido code of Morality well a couple of our number seem to have slipped the net, read below this was featured on a BBC programme, there is more I was recently told a Well known Wrestling Promoter has been charged with Dealing drugs, Kidnapping and possession of a Kalashnikov assault Rifle True or False we will soon find out


Judo hopeful 'was drugs enforcer'

It was alleged the gang also loaned out the guns to other criminal gangs
An Olympic judo finalist from Bristol went on to become a violent drugs enforcer, Bristol Crown Court heard.
Judo instructor James Waithe, 47, represented Barbados at the Olympics and England in the Commonwealth Games.
But a raid in June last year on a flat owned by Mr Waithe revealed an arsenal of five handguns, four rifles, stun grenades, a shotgun and ammunition.
Mr Waithe denies conspiracy to supply cocaine, and conspiracy to possess firearms and explosives.
But four other members of the alleged five-man gang have admitted their role in supplying Bristol with cocaine, and three to possessing firearms.
'£1m per week'
The court was shown pictures of a 10-tonne hydraulic press used, prosecutors said, to press cocaine.
Stephen Mooney, prosecuting, said the gang earned up to £1m per week from sales.
Mr Mooney told the jury gang member Craig Rodel, 46, had told two other confessed drug dealers - Grant Richmond, 29, and 22-year-old Kevin Downes - to "fire a couple of rounds " into an address in Hartcliffe, Bristol.
Mr Rodel added: "Leave it until late. Make sure the lights are out as there are kids in the property. Put one in the door and one in the window."
Mr Rodel, Mr Richmond and Mr Downes, all from Bristol, have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to possess firearms and explosives.
Robert Brooks, 63, of no fixed address, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine but denies the firearms charges.
The trial continues.

First Aid

As you are aware it is advisable for all sports coaches to have a First aid certificate I can offer a course which is approved by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and take place over 6 hours ( based on 1 day only)The course will cost £50 price to include HSE registration and certification by us an approved hSE centre. A full comprehensive full colour A5 training book for each candidate and a complimentary first aid pack / kit per person.
Course organisor will be Paul SalmonUK FAST Ltd (First Aid & Safety Training)UK Operations Manger If you are interested can you please let me know and what day is best for you, this course is on offer to anyone who wishes to attend Martin Clarke

Great Judo News from Keith

Great Judo News From Keith Costa
Next Year Young Judo Club Instructor Keith Costa 3rd Dan is to start a unique new Judo Class for Children at the Swale Martial Arts Club Sittingbourne. It will be a Judo Games Night every Friday at 7pm. Keith picked a DVD at the recent British Masters which was all about Judo Games. The aim is to use games to improve existing players Judo and to introduce a new band of Children to Judo. This will take to 4 nights a week a child can play Judo at the Young Judo Club
More information contact Keith on Youngjudoclub@googlemail.com 07894145187

The Young Judo Club are organising a Brian Stening Memorial Judo Championships at the Swallows at the end of November, In February 2010 they will be organising an Open Judo Tournament at Sittingbourne Community College and April they will organising the British Open Sambo Championships at the same venue

World Masters sambo Lithuania 2009

http://www.britishsombo.co.uk/world_masters_sambo.htm

Sombo Training Day

BRITISH SOMBO FEDERATION
SOMBO TRAINING DAY
A Governing Body recognised Event

Sunday January 30th 2010
Swale Martial Arts Club
127 East Street
Sittingbourne
Kent ME10 4RX
Cost £10
10am till 1pm,

This will be a mixture of tuition and fighting and will be ideal as introduction for those grapplers who want to experience Sombo for the first time plus a good workout for the more experienced Somboist. This session is open to men and women plus youngsters 14 and over. Money and entry to the above address by January 21st 2010. Those who have to travel are welcome to in the Dojo on the Saturday night free of charge.

Sambo in France CombatSombo in Sittingbourne

The BSF hope to organise a trip to the Caen, Normandy france Open Sambo Championships in December 2009 anyone interested should go to www.britishsombo.co.uk

I have started a CombatSombo/SportCombatSombo class on a Thursday at Sittingbourne staring 7.30pm it mixture of both

Ross and the Unknown Player

I have put on a lot of old Video clips on You Tube and most are viewed with interest. Occasionally you get one person who objects to seeing them because the claim they are seen in a negative way i.e. They Lost. Recently I had a comment posted on You Tube complaining that I put Ross loses to to Unknown Player (this was placed a year ago)he assumed I had done this deliberately to belittle him, it seems he has built up his reputation as being a leading expert on MMA fighting without actually doing much fighting. The fact was no one can remember the name of the guy who beat him hence Unknown Fighter, maybe his response was something to do with his own conscience. I have included the link below it is quite interesting to see how childish the reaction is. Ross Mockeridge is an ex pupil of mine who left to form his own style of Jiu Jitsu some 10 years ago, his leaving was with my best wishes I thought he had finished with the Martial Arts. Any way if you read this Ross come down for a training session some time down the club bring a few members with you, this is the best way to solve any dispute you have with my family and bring a camcorder


http://www.youtube.com/comment_servlet?all_comments&v=w-3-OPfIX6s

CombatSombo USA

USA CombatSombo Player join go to www.combatsombo.co.uk

Epping Judo

Young Judo Club Youngsters compete in Epping Open
Boy banned from YJC for punching a rival competitor
A very successful team of youngsters travelled to Epping to take part in the annual Open Judo championships all boys returned with medals. The day was marred when a young member of the YJC lost his temper with a fellow competitor and punched him; this earned a ban from Judo at the club. The Young Judo Club is very strict about the behaviour of its members and this type of yobbish and un-sportsman like behaviour will not be tolerated. The good news was that 3 Gold’s, 2 silvers and 1 bronze was taken by YJC members.
Liam Jordan our lightest fighter moved up to u25 kilo class he had 6 fights losing only 1 in the preliminary rounds, he scored 4 ippons (Total Victory). His best fight was against the favourite who he threw for Ippon with Uchi Mata, Liam took Gold.
Brother Ashley Jordan was competing in his last junior competition and took Gold in the u 40 kilo class. Ashley has had a very exceptional junior career, he is very light for his age and with the lowest senior judo weight being u60 kilo he will find the transition to senior level hard. Coach John Clarke has suggested that concentrates a lot more on the harder Jacket Wrestling sport of Sambo the lowest senior weight in that sport is 48 kilo.
Another excellent performance came from Joe Hodges fighting u35 kilo’s he 6 fights and won all of them to take Gold, Joe has all the qualities to be a future star of the club, his outing at Epping proved he was in a class of his own
Brendan Magee was fighting in his first major tournament which is quite a nerve racking experience in itself but this did not faze Brendan as he ploughed through the opposition to take silver in the u45 kilo class
Charlie Hilder also done well to get Bronze in the u50 kilo class although a little bit of nerves got the better of him but never the less a good result
Last up was Matthew Howard who is only a white belt fought his way to the final using Ippon throws to get there he lost in the finals of the u 50 kilo class to a blue belt in what was a very hard fought final.
This competition has proved that once again the YJC has yet another batch of champions in the offing. Thanks must go to Club Coaches Sarah Jordan 1st Dan and Paul Soulsby 1st Dan for accompanying the youngsters at this event. Next big event is the BRIAN STENING MEMORIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS to be held at the Swallows Leisure Centre on November 29th. The Young Judo Club & Warriors Grappling Academy will be giving a demo at the forthcoming Swale’s “ A Celebration of Cultures” at the Wyvern Hall on October 31

The Milton Regis section of the Young Judo Club which operates from Nobbys Gym Milton Regis Playing Fields on a Wednesday has got of to a flying start with Juniors starting at 7pm and seniors at 8pm. John Clarke has introduced a badge for those youngsters who compete regularly in competitions it is call JUDO FIGHTER
More info www.youngjudoclub.co.uk youngjudoclub@googlemail.com ibfbcsa@googlemail.com

British Masters 2009

British Masters Judo Championships
Dagenham
October 3rd 2009

I decided to travel up to the British Masters to support YJC Instructor Colin Carrot and my son John who I had advised to withdraw as had only just got over a bad bout of Flu. If you get defeated because your opponent is better then you there is no shame but if you lose because you are not 100% fit that is a tragedy after saying that I still think he would have won in a weakened condition, not to worry at 36 years of age he has plenty of time. Colin had three fights lost 2 and won one on Ippon. In his first fight he seemed to be very nervous and lost on a drop seoi which surprised us especially as he trains with his son who is an expert at that technique, he redeemed himself in the next bout by countering a very strong experienced player with Ippon throw. His match to go forward for Bronze was a good battle; with Colin moving and making a stream of attacks he blocked a very powerful drop seoi. This took them in Ne Waza something he favours and he was a bit unlucky by being caught in a hold or shall we say his opponent saw a momentary lack of concentration and took advantage of it. Colin is a very good Judoka but a far better Sambo Player.

It was also good to see fellow Sambo player Paul Sawyer win Gold I believe this is 10 Masters Title some record, also fellow Twitter member Danny Murphy winning Gold. I met many people from the past some I only recognised by name only one was Nick Kokotaylo who I have not seen for 30 years I must have passed him several times without even acknowledging him I was not being rude he had changed so much when I knew him he was a Light Heavy now he was a chunky heavyweight and one of the guests of honour he went on to beat very slimmed down Elvis Gordon. Chris Bowles I have seen for many years and it was great meeting him again, Chris runs the very successful Tonbridge Judo club which seems to be bucking the trend by attracting many members. Chris was at the 1980 Olympics, I can remember him doing the Judo circuits from the age of 11 always accompanied by his Dad and I am pleased to see he is making a living at Judo.

The competition had a great atmosphere with plenty of barracking referees, well humoured I might add, and 100% effort from the fighters. I was expecting Judo like I used to do when I was training for the 1980 Olympics but sadly even the Masters are fighting the new wave style but there was still some good judo. I still can not understand the new wave Judo Rules especially the re interpretation of Ippon it seems if you touch the ground with your back Ippon is given. A prime example was when one player attacked with a good Sumi Geashi his opponent block ed but because the player was on his back an Ippon was awarded ridiculous. I thoroughly enjoyed the day but was disappointed not to see members of the BJA hierarchy present; I was not over enthralled with the actual Judo but enjoyed the company. Would have loved to compete but even if I did there was no one in my age group and weight. If you want to see the full results go to http://www.britishjudo.org.uk/competitions/results.php

“WHAT SHOULD THEY KNOW OF JUDO WHO JUDO KNOW”

“WHAT SHOULD THEY KNOW OF ENGLAND WHO ENGLAND KNOW”
Rudyard Kipling
This was said at a time when British Empire was at its height and when most English thought 1 one Englishman was worth 3 Foreigners. The quote basically says the majority of English only knew England not the rest of the World i.e. they were blinkered.
I would suggest we use the following for “WHAT SHOULD THEY KNOW OF JUDO WHO JUDO KNOW”
Judoka blinkered to all other forms of Jacket Wrestling

Judo 1964

Chris Dawson sent me the above. In todays rules the guy doing the throwing would be penalised for grabbing the leg.

JUDO GAMES BY GEOF GLEESON

I am selling a rather unique book it is

Title: Judo Games
Author: Geof Gleeson Publisher:
A & C BlackISBN: 071365709X
Publication Date: 1989
Edition:Hard/Softcover:
Soft Dimensions: 213mm x 137mm
Pages: 72Condition: Very Good

The reason it is unique is that is signed by the late Great Geof Gleeson, I have two one signed to me personally which I will not depart with and this one. In years to come this will come a collectors item a unsigned one has just sold on bay for £18.70p. So before I put to Ebay I thought you may be interested in placing a bid. Send me a bid on IBFBCSA@googlemail.com

Could this be the Death of Judo?

Are the International Judo Federation DESTROYING JUDO?

IJF Congress: New rules to be tested in WC Junior in Athens
The International Judo Federation Refereeing Commission announced All techniques below the belt line will not be allowed anymore. Any athlete trying to grip the opponent´s leg will be punished with a shido (first time). If another try happens, he will be banned from the combat (hansokumake) and the victory will be given to the opponent. Only techniques using leg against leg will be allowed, or if the hand grip in the leg is the continuation of another technique tried (example: ouchigari which can develop into kataguruma).
“We don´t want our sport to be mixed with other martial arts. Judo is judo, and all IJF wants is to come back to the true judo”, explains the Head of the Refereeing Commission, Mr. Juan Carlos Barcos. “We may lose a few techniques with this decision, but on the other hand we will be awaking some techniques who we don´t see any more in the combats due to the sitting position the athletes take while they try to grab the opponents leg”, adds Mr. Barcos.
The IJF concern is that more and more often, wrestling and sambo techniques are seen during judo combats.
“That is not good for the future of our sport in the Olympic Games”, says Mr. Barcos.
The Refereeing Commission also announced that another step will be taken to modernize and professionalize the sport: the use of only one referee per mat (instead of three) is also to be tested in Athens during the World Juniors.

The above was copied from the British Judo Association Web site.
As some one who has been involved in Judo since 1955, holds an 8th Dan IBF, member of the British Olympic Squad, World Masters Judo Champion I would like to think I can speak with some authority on Judo. I have over the last couple years been very critical about the direction of competition Judo feeling it has lost direction and the continual tampering of rules I believe has been the main problem. Some like the relaxation of Keikoku for stepping out was a good move, the mat area looks nice but feel it is just an added expense to those who run tournaments. In my competition days between 1965 till 1980 I finished in 2001 Judo was different there were a lot more high dynamic throws, in my father’s words to score Ippon you had to throw someone 6ft up and 8ft down i.e. bury them, there was much more Ne Waza many competitions were won on Armlocks, strangles and hold downs and Judo was more upright. So why has it changed so much since then obviously continual rule changes have not helped, I feel “if something isn’t broken do not fix it” Judo back in those days was very popular in Clubs and Schools our International Players were very successful despite not having hundreds of thousands of pounds thrown at them but the one thing is Referees not up holding the rules of Judo. Let me explain one of the major complaints today is that Judo is not upright and a lot of players take a very low bent over stance, 20 years ago you would have received a penalty for passivity if they done that now upright Judo would appear over night. Throwing while on the floor was not allowed now you can score Ippon from the floor, penalise them for doing it and the crawling on the floor Judo would vanish over night there are many incidents I can recite my point is that if they applied the rules in the first place we would not be where we are now.

The IJF are trying to change Judo completely, Mr. Barcos. Makes the excuse that his ideas will result in Judo returning to its true state? I do not know this gentleman and do not know his age but when was his ideal of True Judo started? In the 1950’s there was only Waza-ari and Ippon scored, Competitors were expected to take hold and not fight for grips, penalties were never given, there was only one referee in Judo and the only techniques allowed were those of Judo Origin what ever that was. Yes in those days you were bolt upright and there were some good throws but surely all sports should be allowed to develop and not stand still? Whether Mr.Barcos likes it or not Sport Judo is just another form of Jacket Wrestling and his proposal of only allowing throw with grips above the waist moves Judo along the lines Uzbek Kurash a wrestling style which is a lot older then Judo. He seems to think that throws initiated below the belt are not Judo or detrimental to the Sport again let me remind him of what I consider the heyday of Judo 1970 till 1980 when there were Judoka like Robert Van De Walle from Belgium who was world ranked and well respected his leg picks were renowned throughout the world and he would take his opponent high and drive hard into the mat a dynamic thrower, if the IJF have there way he would be disqualified in today’s Judo.
Most probably the throw that has been responsible for demise of Judo as a Dynamic sport is the drop knee Kata Guruma or the Fireman’s as it is called Free Style Wrestling. This technique is hardly if ever seen in Sombo/Sambo as their wrestler have more control of the Jacket simply because they are allowed to hold in many positions, the technique come from Free Style as I have said the difference is that in Free Style Wrestling they use it to roll their opponent into position where they can pin their opponent it was never meant to be a dynamic throw. Yet with the criteria of Ippon being downgraded to some one being placed on their back rather the being thrown on their back it has become a major part of the sport. In early times the criteria for Ippon was to throw your opponent largely on his back with speed, power and impetus if Judo kept to that you would still have dynamic throws.
The IJF are reinventing Judo rather then bring it back to TRUE Judo(What ever that means) its purpose is to make it more TV friendly hence the near distinction of Ne Waza, instead of changing the rules and re inventing Judo the TV interest could be done by a simple thing of allowing coloured Judogi.
I believe this new Sport called IJF Judo will be detrimental to us who have competed in Traditional Judo and one must ask the question did anyone ask the people who do Judo and who’s license money pays or these bureaucrats yes the Judoka what they want?

SAMBO/SOMBO and Judo
Over the years Judoka have complained that it is Sambo or wrestling that is ruining the sport and is taking away the big throws, RUBBISH it is the Judo Fraternity who is wrecking competitive Judo. These people most probably never seen World Sambo or Free Style Wrestling yet they continue to bleat on, they remind of a child who kicks a Football through a window and then says “It was not me it was the ball”/
Although I have won a couple of minor medals in Free Style a sport I enjoyed I can not speak with any authority on the Sport but I can speak with authority on Sombo/Sambo. I have won 4 World silvers, am the only GrandMaster in GB awarded to me by the World Body FIAS,FIAS Gold Award for services to International Sambo and I am a member of the FIAS International Masters Club which a club of the 10 most influential Samboists in the World. So when I hear and read articles that Sambo has been the downfall of judo all I can say lets look at the results only a few Judoka have been successful in International Sambo yet consider how successful Sambo Players have been in International Judo extremely so for many years the Soviet Union Judo Players were all Samboists and all they done was to adopt their techniques to the rules of Judo. Yes the rules of Judo and that was 40 odd years ago, next the Japanese the Soviet Union (now the Eastern Block) are the most successful Judo nation. The reason is Sambo is a dynamic powerful Jacket wrestling Sport with a speciality of high throws, a sport which does not limit itself to specific holding positions or throws but they realised what they do is just a form of Jacket Wrestling something Judoka can not understand about their own Sport. Samboists can adapt to any Jacket Wrestling Style I will go as far to say they can adapt to any Grappling Style, that can not be said of Judoka and with this latest rule change they we will even less able to compete in other events. My first love was Judo but I was glad I was introduced to Sambo by the British Wrestling Association in the early 70’s, Sambo opened my eyes to a multitude of new and dynamic techniques. To me Sambo is the way forward for Jacket Wrestlers but I still will keep to the Traditions of Judo i.e. Kata etc. So Judoka come out of the closet and try the many different styles of Jacket Wrestling open your eyes to a new world.

Martin Clarke 8th Dan Judo, Sambo GrandMaster

Accusation

accused
Top Martial Arts Coach AccusedA Top British Martial Arts Coach has been accused of “Inappropriate Behaviour” and has been suspended by his governing body and told not to visit his own club, yet this Coach has told me he has not been informed of what the accusation is or who has accused him. The governing body has informed the local Police who are investigating him and they in turn have not told him of the accusation etc, now if the Coach is telling me the truth then this can open a real can of worms.1) Surely it is the right of every Englishman to be able to face his accuser and their accusation2) Is a man not innocent till proven guiltyAs for us Judo and Sports Coaches if the above is true anyone of us can be accused by some one who has a grudge against us, which could wreck of career, our private life and cause us mental anguish. Child Protection has become paramount in sport and rightly so but it is fast becoming Monster which will extinguish Children Sport altogether. No longer is a Scout Master, Cub Mistress a Junior Judo/Sports Coach looked upon with respect for giving up their time to work and help with children our obsession with Child Protection has made the public look with distain upon this group of well meaning people. WHY DO THEY WANT TO BE WITH CHILDREN? That is the question asked ARE THEY NORMAL is the next one soon no one will want to supervise Children in fact the Ultimate Child Protection is not to let any Adult teach childrenNow before you say Martin is over reacting let me give example at what happened at our club several years ago.One of our Karate Instructors was accused of touching a young teenager inappropriately, the father contacted me and wanted me to deal with the matter which I presume he meant sack the Coach, this I reused to do and told him if was 100% sure of facts he must contact the Police which he subsequently done. I immediately contacted the Coach and told him of the accusation which he denied, I then explained that I would get a meeting of all other Coaches and decide what we would do. All the coaches agreed that the charges brought by the Girl were so outlandish (The assault supposedly took part in front of the whole class yet no one saw the incident) so we decided to allow him to Coach but supervised by one of the other Coaches. His ordeal lasted a Year at the end of 12 months the Police said there was nothing answers for! Was there an apology from the Girl, parent or police NO only a parting word from a Women PC “you got away with it this time?” The Instructor is no longer with us dying in tragic circumstances.Now if the same happened today we would have no option but to suspend him and after the result of a year’s investigation with the Karate Instructor subsequently being proved innocent1) He would be considered a pervert2) The Club would have to close and 50 children would no longer have a club to go to3) All the clubs coaches would be stigmatises (No smoke without fire) coaches would feel obliged to leave and club would have to close which had been in existence for 50 years. For what maybe something as stupid as the Coaches daughter getting a higher gradeMartin Clarke

World Judo Championships 2009

http://www.judo2009.com/en/?page=cms&sub=showpage&id=40

More Judo Rule Changes

REFEREEING


Decision of the IJF Executive Committee in Rotterdam from 21/08/09


Introduction
The IJF’s wish is to defend fundamental judo values.
Within this scope IJF particularly devotes itself to preserve and develop education, physic and mental trumps of Judo.
« Judo is a physic and mental education system ».

From the other side, IJF would not like to change Refereeing rules during Olympic qualification period. For this reason it will proceed in this sphere with necessary experimentations and their testing before the first January 2010.
The experimentations will be tested during World Junior Championships 22/25 October 2009 in Paris.

Refereeing rules
Leg Grips.

All direct attacks with one or two hands or with one or two arms below the belt are not allowed.
PUNISHMENTS: First attack: - Shido
Second attack: - Hansokumake

Grips below the belt are authorized only after a sequence of techniques if it’s real and sincere.
Grips below the belt are authorized in counterattack.
These counterattacks are allowed only within a sequence (continuity) of techniques started by the opponent. The principles of Go No Sen and Sen No Sen.

For better understanding of the new rules, while giving a punishment referees will explain it by an appropriate gesture.

Refereeing system
The contests will be refereed by only one referee without 2 referees at the corners.
The “Care” system with 2 cameras filming the contest at 2 different angles will be set up to help the one unique referee.
Control and supervision of the “Care” system will be done by the IJF Refereeing commission

Golden Score
Regarding Golden Score part of contest of maximum 2 minutes, the entire marking of refereeing table resulting 4 minutes of initial contest, will be conserved during this period except the contest duration.
At the end of Golden Score and if no advantage was marked, the referee will take a decision for the period of initial contest and its Golden Score part.

Karina Bryant wins silver to save British pride at the Judo Worlds

KARINA Bryant picked up a silver medal in the +78kg category at the Judo World Championships in Rotterdam to ensure Great Britain didn't leave completely empty-handed

World Judo 09

Sorry it has been sometime since I have written been on our annual Summer details of this to follow

The recent World judo championships in Holland and have just finished I already have seen some of the video footage. The BJA sent a 14 person team results one medal from Katrina Bryant the following made the last 16 Peter Cousins, Faith Pitman, Sally Conway once again we rely on the women to bring back pride to British Judo It is rumoured that some of our competitors are getting £20,000 a year to train plus trips to exotic places so we have a team of Real Professional Judoka but where are the results? In the days of the Amateur we produced World medal winners like Dave Starbrook, Brian Jacks, neil Adams, Keith Remfry, Angelo Parisi, Paul Radburn, Arthur Mapp, Design White I could go on it obvious money can not produce World Class judoka and with Judo in the UK in decline surely the money could be put to better use.

And you complain

My friend Curt Shearer sent me the following email. I suggest all those that complain about training being hard should read and watch the video


Amazing Wrestling Video!

Not all of my friends are wrestlers, but I thought most of you would appreciate a touching story about two unusual athletes who don't complain about the little things some of us do. They just get up and do it.

THERE ARE SOME PROBLEMS THAT ARE 10% VISABLE AND 90 % POSITIVE ATTITUDE. THE WRESTLING SKILLS ARE MARGINAL, THE MOTOR SKILLS (BALANCE, AGILITY , POWER AND REACTION TIME) ARE EXCELLENT IN THE VIDEO. THERE IS A POSITIVE FLOW OF ENERGY IN EACH OF THE ATHLETES EXPLANATION OR COMMENTS OFFERED TO THE INTERVIEWER AS TO WHY AND HOW THIS ACCIDENT OCCURED. It is a story worth passing on.

THE QUESTION AS TO "WHERE NOW" AND THE LIST OF BENIFITS OFFERED FROM THE SPORT WRESTLING (AS IN "LIFE TIME SKILLS" ) ARE MY INTEREST AND SHOULD BE THE REAL STORY OR LESSON..

ONLY TIME WILL TELL ,,,,,,,, We are all very fortunate to have the ability we do have, our problems are small compare some others.

Curt

The following “must see” link is to an ESPN video on two Lincoln West High School wrestlers in Cleveland, Ohio. Http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4372243

Coach still suspended

I reported some days ago that a leading Martial Arts Coach was suspended for “Inappropriate behaviour” , 5 weeks later he still does not know what he is accused of by either the Police or his governing body. The governing Body sent me an email saying that their “Child Protection people were investigating the matter” yet still no response to “What he has done”.
Now the rumour mill has started because he was charged many years ago with act gross indecency against a young man in his late teens, what they forget to mention he was found NOT GIULTY and was awarded compensation for what he had been put through. SO WHY is he not being told what the accusations are? Is someone out to destroy his reputation? If so why? This speculation must not go on, if he has done thing wrong charge him.

Coach accused

Top Martial Arts Coach Accused
A Top British Martial Arts Coach has been accused of “Inappropriate Behaviour” and has been suspended by his governing body and told not to visit his own club, yet this Coach has told me he has not been informed of what the accusation is or who has accused him. The governing body has informed the local Police who are investigating him and they in turn have not told him of the accusation etc, now if the Coach is telling me the truth then this can open a real can of worms.
1) Surely it is the right of every Englishman to be able to face his accuser and their accusation
2) Is a man not innocent till proven guilty
As for us Judo and Sports Coaches if the above is true anyone of us can be accused by some one who has a grudge against us, which could wreck of career, our private life and cause us mental anguish. Child Protection has become paramount in sport and rightly so but it is fast becoming Monster which will extinguish Children Sport altogether. No longer is a Scout Master, Cub Mistress a Junior Judo/Sports Coach looked upon with respect for giving up their time to work and help with children our obsession with Child Protection has made the public look with distain upon this group of well meaning people. WHY DO THEY WANT TO BE WITH CHILDREN? That is the question asked ARE THEY NORMAL is the next one soon no one will want to supervise Children in fact the Ultimate Child Protection is not to let any Adult teach children
Now before you say Martin is over reacting let me give example at what happened at our club several years ago.
One of our Karate Instructors was accused of touching a young teenager inappropriately, the father contacted me and wanted me to deal with the matter which I presume he meant sack the Coach, this I reused to do and told him if was 100% sure of facts he must contact the Police which he subsequently done. I immediately contacted the Coach and told him of the accusation which he denied, I then explained that I would get a meeting of all other Coaches and decide what we would do. All the coaches agreed that the charges brought by the Girl were so outlandish (The assault supposedly took part in front of the whole class yet no one saw the incident) so we decided to allow him to Coach but supervised by one of the other Coaches. His ordeal lasted a Year at the end of 12 months the Police said there was nothing answers for! Was there an apology from the Girl, parent or police NO only a parting word from a Women PC “you got away with it this time?” The Instructor is no longer with us dying in tragic circumstances.
Now if the same happened today we would have no option but to suspend him and after the result of a year’s investigation with the Karate Instructor subsequently being proved innocent
1) He would be considered a pervert
2) The Club would have to close and 50 children would no longer have a club to go to
3) All the clubs coaches would be stigmatises (No smoke without fire) coaches would feel obliged to leave and club would have to close which had been in existence for 50 years. For what maybe something as stupid as the Coaches daughter getting a higher grade

Martin Clarke

New IJF Rules

This is a snippet from an article I wrote about the Scottish Open

The new rules brought in by the International Judo Federation did prove controversial especially the amount of time allowed to fight while on the ground, The Scots refereed the Juniors and were criticised for allowing to much time on the ground and the seniors were refereed by the English and they were criticised for not allowing enough time on the ground. Martin Clarke 8th Dan was one of the corner judges and when one of the competitors complained to him about the rules his answer was “do not blame me I did not change them so do not try and shoot the messenger” It is true the new rules have proved to have made a dramatic change to Judo and if you want to stay in the game you will have to learn how to deal with them. Yet many Judoka are leaving the sport to take up Sombo/Sambo because the rules are less restrictive and easily understood.

Why have a Gay Olympics?

Before you read my article you need to click on the link below and read some extracts from "Equity in Your Coaching" produced by the National Coaching Foundation this is part of the "Club Mark" Scheme.

http://www.sittingbourne.org/Why%20do%20Gays%20and%20Lesbians%20need%20a%20separate%20competition%20their%20sexuality%20has%20nothing%20to%20with%20their%20prowess%20as%20an%20athlete.pdf

Dear Editor
Some weeks ago I wrote an article stating how was disappointed with the Kent County Council with special reference to:
1) Their Internet TV Experiment
2) Their involvement with the Iceland Banks
3) Their promotion of Homosexuality in Schools
The latter provokes a response which I followed up with a further letter which I thought would have been printed as a “right to reply” sadly it has not been published yet. This is an extract from the letter:
JB accuses me of being Homophobic which means the fear of Homosexuals and since this Nu Labour government came to power I am, I also have a fear of Ethnic minorities. Not a fear of being attacked etc but a justified fear that as a White Heterosexual Male myself, my children and my grand children no longer have equal rights as these groups, for example jobs which have no bearing on sexually or colour of skin I.e. Police, Fire Brigade and many other government departments are being offered to Homosexuals and ethnics only! This is wrong and I do not want hear no mumbo jumbo about jobs should represent society A JOB SHOULD GO TO THE BEST PERSON Capable of doing the job. Interesting enough JB compares homosexually as a religion that is how far Nu Labour has taken GAY rights to the level of a New Religion. I never condoned the persecution of Homosexuals and thought it was right when it was legalised what some one does between the sheets is their business but I will never understand and will agree that the physical act of Homosexuals is no more then a sexual deviancy and should not be seen as normal.

Of course as soon as you complain or make a disparaging remark about Homosexuals you are either Homophobic, Closet Gay or a Religious nut I am none of them but I am an “equality nut”. Once again I have found proof that Gays and lesbians are getting preferential treatment over normal sexed people, this time it is in Sport. By having their own Gay and Lesbian mock Olympics in Holland every year I find offensive because it is discriminatory but would not want it banned as British Gay and Lesbian Athletes do not get funded from Tax payer’s money. I still do not understand how a person’s sexuality affects their performance as an athlete, I am sure there has been Gay Olympic medallist.
This discrimination is soon to be state funded if the National Coaching Foundation has their way. In a book published by them called “Equity in Your Coaching” this title is linked to UK Sports drive to get every sports club to get a “Club Mark”. Every Club wishing a Club Mark must attend a course on the subject, you will read that this organisation is actively encouraging discrimination against Heterosexuals!
I have been a World Master’s judo Champion, World Silver medallist in Sombo and Jiu Jitsu in that time I have competed against men from all over the world on no occasions have I asked what their sexual preference was, I did not want to know and more importantly did not care to me they were just another competitor who needed to be beaten.
Inequality in this country is very obvious let me give you some examples :
1) There are Gay Sports teams (Why ?) would a Hetro Teams be allowed?
2) There is a Black Policeman’s association no white one
3) Women only Gym yet Male only Golf clubs are illegal
I personally could not care about any of these I believe it is a right for like minded people to band together but at the moment that is not the case today “Surely it the right of every English to congregate with whom he likes”

Please see attachment


Martin Clarke Sittingbourne

Political Correctness in Sport

Sport England has decide in their wisdom to insist that all Sports Club will to obtain a “ClubMark” to able to use Government/Council facilities and to be able to claim grant aid, this I believe will lead the decrease in Sports Club and sport participation. To achieve just a basic ClubMark you have fulfil 25 different criteria even for Amateur Clubs most are sports related but one has little or nothing to with Sport and “That is the EQUITY IN YOUR COACHING”. Although I totally disagree with the ClubMark and personally will not get involved it makes sense that the Club applies if only for the benefit of Grant Aid. One of the Club members had to attend one of these courses at the Clubs expense on arriving he was presented with a book 180 pages long on the subject. Like most of these courses there is role play and case scenarios here are a couple of examples:
Karen is a carer for her mother because of that has to take a bus fro training and always arrives late at team training because of this; the Coach after several warnings drops her from the squad!
PC answer: The Coach was wrong and allowances should be made for her.
Pragmatic Answer: If a Coach is running a squad he needs discipline and the foremost is good timekeeping: The team may only have a limited time slot; they may have to wait for Karen before they can start a particular sequence, and will she be able to make matches on time? It is down to Karen to be on time not for the rest of the team to wait remember this is a Team sport.
Palvinda plays in her local netball Team she has been selected to play a league game which requires her to wear a skirt her religions forbids this and she wears track Bottoms should she be dropped from the team.
PC Answer: No she should not be discriminated against on religious grounds
Pragmatic answer: Yes because the team could turn up at the event and be barred because they do not have the correct attire
Part of the course dealt with language and Terminology

Unacceptable Acceptable
Patient Person
Bind Visually impaired people
Deaf and dumb Deaf without speech
Special needs (additional )needs
Handicap Disability impairments
Disabled toilets Accessible toilets
Deaf People with hearing impediment


It no longer correct to address the Female sex as Ladies or Girls the correct procedure is to say Women or Females, use of local colloquial e.g. Love, Duck, Cock, Sweetheart, Darling all are forbidden. You must find out if your students are Homosexual, bisexual or lesbian! Why? What has their sexuality to do with their ability to sport or in my case Judo, I do not know whether I have trained with a Homosexual Judo Player I never asked and why should I. It is no longer correct to run separate sessions for different groups of people I.e., Judo session for the blind, or for Ladies sorry I mean Women everything must be inclusive, irrelevant of the safety aspects and what people want Things like men only clubs are now banned yet there is a Women’s Sports Federation, you cannot bar someone because their ethnic origin, or sexual preference, yet there are Gay Rugby Teams, Gay Olympics etc.
The main person behind all this Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Harriet Harman MP she has done her best since her Government took power in 1997 to sterilise the English Language, her drive to promote Political correctness is legendary and what has she achieved nothing but Division. The cost of this PC must be £millions and what does it achieve? The people who come with these ideas have no idea or practical knowledge of Sports Coaching. They think aggressive encouragement as bullying, if the class does not have any ethnics then it must be racist irrelevant that none live in its catchments area, no women then it must be sexist and so on. In a time when people participating in sport is dropping and Sport haemorrhaging Coaches you would have thought there would be encouragement not obstacles to attracting new coaches rather then insisting on very expensive PC training just so a PC industry can get more jobs for the boys (oops sorry PC bad word) jobs for the group.
Since Government and its Quango’s have got involved ion Sport, participation has been on the decline surely that must tell them something!

Martin Clarke Sittingbourne


Martin Clarke Sittingbourne

JUDO TODAY 2009

I am sorry to say I have stopped going to Major Judo Tournaments over recent years I have attended the British Open and Kent International and felt very disappointed in what I saw. For those who do not know my history I was a reserve for the 1980 Olympics and am still involved in Judo, so why the disappointed? Well mainly the upright Judo of 20 odd years ago which facilitated some spectacular throwing has vanished as has Ne Waza (groundwork) yes there has been some good points the new mat area with a singled coloured square has alleviated the winning on penalties, Referees officiating in Polo shirts has taken away the over officious nature of referee and placed the focus back on the competitor but that is all. It seems most competitors are taking a very low stance (Jigotia) something you were penalised for 20 years ago and the only throw seems to be the drop Kata Guruma and picking your opponent of the floor rolling them over for Ippon again something not allowed 20 years ago. The talk of the recent competition was that one English competitor was winning with a standing Seoi Nage again a standard throw years ago, Ne Waza seems to be discouraged, not enough time is allowed to make a strangle or arm lock as for hold downs I can not even explain the criteria. Yet when I read the IJF rules not that much has changed I just wonder who interprets them. One thing is for sure Judo has never been a spectator sport and it certainly will not be now, some complain that it has become a variation of Russian Sambo as somebody who has been involved in Sambo for 35 years plus I have attended more World Sambo Championships then anyone in GB I can assure you that modern Judo is nothing like Sambo. The name suggested to me was Free Style Judo because it looking more likes poor Free Style Wrestling.

I have had my moan and no matter what I say things will not change and if you want to do Top Level Judo you will have to change, members of my club recently returned deflated from the BJA Kent Open with no medals the first time for decades we have not entered a tournament without winning a medal, in this Kent Open over the last two year we have come back with medals. I have now told them if they want to compete at that level they have to give up a lot and train harder by that I mean 5 days a week 4 to 5 hours a day as the lads they are up against are professionals some are getting £20,000 a year to train, they live, sleep, and play Judo. I had 4 years of this from 1977 to 1980 with out no money and it is not fun it is an obsession. Only very few make the very top so those who want to just enjoy their Judo will have to be content in just entering minor tournaments and playing Judo. In all honesty these Judoka will be in Judo a lot longer then those at the top and they will be able to Judo for many decades keeping the art alive. So we have a two tier art called Judo but there is a way the Governing Body can help the British Judo Association could organise a British Senior secondary Championship, this could be for the Club Player the backbone of Judo. Bar all those players who are in the top 10 and those who have won British or International medals, this would be a true Club Players Competition and give back something to the people who keep Judo alive Judo

Martin Clarke Sittingbourne

Joining the IBF/BCSA is a bargain

IBF/BCSA Summer Newsletter 2009
Times are hard and it is always the luxuries which have to suffer and I am sorry to Martial Arts is a luxury. So to get people to join us we have to tell them what we have to offer and why it pays to join us.
1) Every member has PA insurance cover included in their membership a very important factor in today’s compensation culture.
2) For one license you have a multitude of different Martial Arts in GB we offer Judo, Sambo, CombatSombo, Kurash, Belt Wrestling, Submission Wrestling, Karate and Jiu Jitsu just imagine if you had to pay for each Art.
3) Competitions home and abroad although a lot of people no longer want to compete we still organised the British Sombo Open, Scottish Open Judo and Sombo, members have competed in Germany and Holland already by the end of the year they will be competitions in Greece and Lithuania. Either the end of November beginning of December we will have an IBF Open Judo Tournament in Sittingbourne with the new mat layout and we will need your support for this. Plus the IBF Multi Nation Judo Championships will be in Hastings in 2010 and we will need officials for this. Just a note Miles Brown is attending a Judo Referees Course in July to get updated with the new IJF Rules, he in turn will run a course in September which will be free to all IBF Members.
4) All junior gradings and Senior till 1st Kyu can be done in the club, so no travelling from one end of the country to the other for a grading and the examiner keeps the grading fees which can go into club funds.
5) PI Insurance for Instructors and Coaches, the IBFBCSA are unique in the fact we recognise the fact that to be a good instructor you do not need to academically gifted, so we arranged practical examinations on the Job qualification. Plus do not forget Club PL Insurance.
6) Courses can be offered all over the country all you do is ask. Our Annual Summer camp is world famous already many took the advantage of paying before the end of April and getting £50 discount of the price of £250
7) Most importantly all clubs get a £5 discount on licenses which help to fund the club.

So not everything is doom and gloom IBF/BCSA still offers excellent value money.

Martin Clarke 8th Dan
IBF UK President

IBF Multi Nation 2009

BF Multi Nation Judo Championships 2009
Featuring: Great Britain-Germany-Belgium-France-Holland-Poland
Hessisch Oldendorf Germany

Saturday May 23rd 2009

I have been attending this event for nearly 40 years and have been proud to say IBF UK have always been in the top 3 countries placed and at our peak we would take over 60 players sadly this was not to be the case this year. This year we could only field a team of 9 Judoka most will blame the credit crunch but I am not so sure if that is the only reason, it feels that the British people as a whole have lost their will to compete we have become a nation of watchers rather then doers . It was hoped that the very expensive 2012 Olympics would give sport a boost in GB I am sorry to say this is not happening.

Germany is always a nice place to visit and this was no exception to keep the cost down we used a Youth Hostel in Hannover which proved to be an excellent venue it was more like a hotel, Hannover itself is a beautiful place especially as it was carnival time with lots of fairs. John Clarke 4th Dan came out as Team Manager but he also took on the job of entertainment officer something he excels in and he made sure everyone had a good time. The down side was it took 8 hours in a Mini Bus to get there but the weather kept nice most of the time which made up for travel fatigue.

The tournament it self was in a good venue but apart from the tiered seating there was no seating for officials which if you are refereeing you need when you have a break. There were 370 entries on 4 mats but the day seemed to go for ever finishing about 8pm, the Brits first fight was at 4.30pm. Judo has gone banana’s with regard to Health and Safety with regard to age banding the youngest group was 6 years old with 7 weight cats, next was 7 & 8 year olds with 8 cat and so on in two year age bands up to 20 years of age then they became Senior. This collates to 127 categories and if the competitors were spread evenly it would be approx 3 per cat, of course this was not the case but would did happen the Seniors in some weights were a small turn out so the organisers in their wisdom decided that each senior had to fight each other twice now you can understand why it was such a long day. The IJF have decided that all major International will be on a Knockout basis the reason for this is to give the competition some dynamic and excitement and make the tournament shorter, people today do not want spend the best part of the day watching and waiting for their fighter to compete. I can remember competing in the British Open having my first match at 9am and picking up my medal at 3 am the next morning who wants that again. When I suggested to some of the foreign coaches we should have Knockout with Repercharge which would give Judoka at least 2 fights they complained it would not give the little ones experience, I replied what are kids 6, 7, 8 year old doing in an International event any way. Lets have sensible age Bands i.e. 9, 10, 11 years, 12, 13, 14,years, 15, 16 years, 17, 18 years, over 18. Clubs should run internal event s for the very young to learn about competition. The new rules I believe are good but I am surprised at the difference in one referees idea of Ippon is to an other I noticed the same at the British Open.

Our first fighter was Adam Dodds he was our only junior competitor and had a lot riding on his shoulders, already the word had gone out that the Brits could not send a proper team and Adam was just a token players. How wrong they were as our Adam smashed them to take a Gold well done an excellent display. Kerrie Penfold kept the Gold’s coming by winning the ladies u70 kilo class she is no stranger to the winner’s rostrum. Martyn Coyne has only recently returned to Judo after recovering from a serious illness which kept him out of the sport for several years, he was a very experience junior player maybe the knowledge he gained as a junior player plus his fighting spirit got him the Gold in the u66 kilo class. Lee Carrott and his brother Danny decided to swap weights with Lee competing in the u81 k class, this has to be said was one of the hardest weights of the day. Lee does attract controversy he countered an extremely good German Player to score a Yuko the German incurred the wrath of the Referee for some infringement which warranted a Hansoku Make (disqualification) this gave Lee the win but put the German Competitor out the competition as per International Rules. This infuriated the German Coach who lodged appeal after appeal asking for video evidence to be taken into consideration, something that is not allowed, I personally sympathised with the German as I felt the punishment was too hard but the decision had been made and was final. Lee carried on to the final only to beaten with a hold down but very good performance all the same. Russell Dodds also fought in this weight but was unplaced but did have the satisfaction of scoring the quickest Ippon of the day with a double leg pickup although Lee disagreed as he also scored a very fast Ippon with a shoulder throw. Brother Danny had no problem in winning the u90k class and was his first outing after recovering from an Injure.
Other competitors were Lucy Parker, Ian Parker and James Passmore, Colin Carrott and John Clarke managed the team, Miles Brown refereed, Keith Costa Coach,Dave Boulding 6th Dan and Martin Clarke 8th Dan attended as representatives of Great Britain

Next years event will be in Hastings and organised by IBF GB for his event we need a lot of referees something we are short of, Miles will be attending a course to update himself with the new rules, he in turn will train our people if you interested in refereeing contact HQ

British Open Judo

British Judo Open 2009

This year’s British open was held at the K2 Leisure Centre Crawley, it has been 26 years since I last attended this event the last time I attended as a competitor. I decided to attend because two of Club members from the Young Judo Club/Sittingbourne Judo Society had entered they were brothers Danny and Lee Carrott, Danny had to withdraw because of an injury his brother Lee had two fights which he lost but he found the experience worth while plus you have not been a top Judo competitor unless you have entered at least one British Open. Another reason I attended was to see the new rules and new fighting area in action plus meet old friends and some cases old enemies. The first thing I noticed was that I hardly knew anyone where were the fighters of my generation? I expect I knew about 5 people all about my age all high profile Judo Players but that was all and where were all the top Executives this was disappointment number 1. Next I was told that GB no 1 players were not participating because they were at a training camp in Brazil disappointment no 2 was I pleased that I wore my blazer with my International Badge this at least gave me free entry.

K2 is a beautiful place and big and the sports hall for the Judo was clean well lit with comfortable seats yet it was a venue like so many others which have Judo events, it did not have the Gravitas of the old Crystal Palace, the palace had its many faults and does look a bit shabby but when you walked into the CP hall with the British Open, you felt the importance of the event an occasion of elite Judo. I am sorry to say I never got this feeling at the K2 it felt that the event had been down graded to just another Judo Association event.

What of the Judo and the rule changes:

The mat area with no danger zone was a good concept as it stopped players being caught in the Keikoku trap, this was when you forced your opponent to step out of the area to receive Keikoku which was equal to a Waza-ari (3 shido’s). Once you received this it was a good chance you would lose. This gamesmanship was very prevalent in the 1970’s and 1980’s, in my bid for the 1980 Olympics my main rival was Arthur Mapp (he won an Olympic Bronze) I fought him 5 times he beat me 4 times once with Ippon with Sasea Tsurikomi Ashi, the other 3 times I lost on Keikoku for stepping out each time I was ahead on scores, I beat him once with Ippon Uchi Mata in the All England where I met Errol Carnegie in the Final where I caught him with a Keikoku step out. Letting you to continue play slightly outside the area should encourage more positive Judo, this is OK when there is a full size international mat area but in a small competition I still think we should use the red danger zone.

NO Koka eliminating the Koka I think was a bad mistake as what has happened what was a Koka has now become a Yuko, Yuko become a Waza-ari, and Waza-ari becomes Ippon. In fact an Ippon is when a person lands on his back no matter how. Sumi Geashi is not a throw to try a couple of times I saw attempts at this throw only to see the practitioner being awarded Ippon against him. Still think they should have accumulative scoring as in Sambo.

All penalties being called shido made good sense and were easy to follow

Attacking from the knees is now allowed and you can score Ippon, as a Sambo Wrestler I was used to this but not sure it suits Judo

In general I was not impressed I saw very little big throws very few strangles and Armlocks, the Referees continue look over officious with their big blazer badges, there were no superstars like in the 70’s and 80’s where were the now a days Brian Jacks, Neil Adams, Paul Radburn, Dave Starbrook etc plus the many foreign Superstars in the old days if one of these names were called the whole audience would move to watch them. The BJA organising was impeccable and maybe I am looking through rose tinted glasses on the past but Judo in my mind has changed in some cases beyond recognition not to my liking but maybe the newer generation get the buzz from this New Judo which I got from the old. I still think that rather then tinker with the rules they should look at the Gi bring in multi coloured suits and Judo Boots make the whole thing colourful .

Martin Clarke 8th Dan Sittingbourne

Is Competitive Judo Dying

Over the last 12 months the amount of Competitive Judoka has dropped dramatically, the snow ball effect is this there are less and less Judo competitions, those that are run have a poor turnout or cancelled at the last moment due to lack of support. It was hoped that when the Governing body for Judo the British Judo Association opened its doors to all Judo organisations, the competitions standards would increase as would competition numbers would rise. I am sorry to say this has not happened quite the opposite has occurred, with some Judo Associations abandoning organising competition all together. Our own Young Judo Club has decided to give its own Annual “Garden of England Competition “ a rest because last year saw a large drop in entries and the club made a substantial loss something the committee would not tolerate.
WHY THE LACK OF INTEREST:

Her some of the ideas being banded about

1) Recession: people not having money and most of the public being depressed because the way the country is run
2) Kids only interested in computer games and TV
3) Parents reluctant to give up a weekend for their kids
4) Non Competitive attitude in Schools
5) Kids to soft and undisciplined
6) Introduction of the United Kingdom Coaching Certificate, which has led to lots of old time coaches retiring rather then go through rather expensive hoops to carry on teaching something they have don for 30 years
7) Introduction of the Club Mark scheme with all its unnecessary bureaucracy
8) Non competitive Grading system for all ages.

I am not sure whether any the above applies, what I do know is the Young judo Club memberships remains static, which in this day and age is good, but our youngster do not want to compete.

BJA KENT OPEN DARTFORD

This competition is a prime example of what I been saying , the BJA has the most Judo Clubs in Kent yet only 40 boys , 20 men, 15 girls and 5 women entered some weights had no entries some had only two. It was reported you could see a marked decline in the standard of Judo, of course you will the youngsters who want to compete are not getting the competitions or quality matches for them to be able to improve.

The Young Judo Club / Sittingbourne Judo Society had three entries and the reason for the small turnout nobody new about the competition until the Tuesday before the event approx another 10 players Senior and Junior could not make the event due to prior arrangements especially as was the start of the School Holiday’s. The three juniors who did enter all won Medals:

Silver Ashley Jordan had 5 in his weight and fought extremely well only just missing out on the Gold. Ashley at 15 years of age is very light for his age so it was pleasing to see him move up to the u34k class at 16 years of age the minimum weight in Judo for an adult is 60k. Hopefully he puts on weight before then even if his Judo career is curtailed for a few years he is lucky enough to belong to a club that participates and practises other Grappling forms, Sombo and Kurash both jacket wrestling sports lowest weight is 48k. Ashley has already proved himself in both of these events by winning National Gold medals hopefully he will keep up the Judo no matter what the difficulty.

Ben Franks won Gold u46k by a count back of points he had 3 fights and two wins as did another lad but Ben had more points. Ben can be a good fighter but he has a bad habit of throwing tantrums when he loses this has got to stop. There is nothing wrong with being unhappy about losing NO real champions likes losing, but you have to take defeat gracefully and learn from the defeat so make defeat a positive rather then a negative.

Jamie Marzetti o73k had 4 in his weight and steam rolled his way through to a convincing Gold with no losses, at 15 years of age he is a big strong boy and his training in the Adult class since he was 14 years has made him Tough Hard Fit and technically sound

Next big event is the British Sombo Open Swallows Leisure Centre Sittingbourne April 19th

More information on BJA/IBF judo go to www.sittingbourne.org sombogb@blueyonder.co.uk 01795 437124

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS COMES TO SITTINGBOURNE

For several years now Sombo Grandmaster Martin Clarke has been asked by leading MMA experts to get involved in MMA Submission Wrestling because of his knee injury he was very reluctant to but now after a very successful Knee replacement and with Hip replacement surgery just round the corner (Isn’t Judo and Sombo good for you?)Things look brighter. Martin’s son 36 year old John Clarke has semi retired from competitive Grappling just entering Masters events has more time to help his father in the Coaching aspects of the sport.

Mixed Martial Arts gathered interest with the ultimate fighting on the TV this where competitors Grappler and Strike in a Cage, to be successful you need to be an expert in many styles of Martial Arts something that can take a life time to develop in one style let alone many. So Cage fighters started to develop there own style taking bits which they can use from a many Martial Arts, some say this is bastardising the whole concept of the Martial Arts , other say it is a natural Hybrid. The simple fact is that Cage Fighting has become a phenomenal spectator sport and I emphasise the word spectator. The simple fact you can beat each up with punches and kicks etc is not going to lend itself to the normal member of the public having a go, yet the Hybrid qualities did strike a cord with the public and then came MMA Submission Wrestling. Submission Wrestling is normally done with just T Shirt and Shorts and the idea is to get your opponent to submit from Choke, Strangle, Arm Lock, Leg Lock, this encouraged those who did not want the Kicking or Punching with all subsequent dangers and did not like the high throws of Judo and Sombo.

What convinced Martin was when he had GB’s most famous Judo Player down for a course Neil Adams 8th Dan, Neil told Martin that 50% of his courses were with MMA people, he said with Martin experience in all forms of Jacket Wresting and Free Style Wrestling he was the ideal candidate to teach MMA. Martin will not be a complete novice as some 30 years ago he thought of the same concept of putting all the Martial Arts together and called it Shiai Jitsu (competitive art) he tried running several competitions found the style crude and dangerous and dispensed with it, saying it would never be a success HOW WRONG HE WAS


The new MMA Submission Wrestling Class will start after Easter on a Thursday night 7.30pm – 9pm Submission Wrestling 9pm Submission Wrestling with Gi and Sport CombatSombo. The session will cost £6 with a joining fee of £30 this includes insurance cover, to try to encourage Sombo and Judo players to have a go we will have a special offer train on Tuesday at the Judo/Sombo class and get the Thursday free. Where will you able to train for £3 a session under a World Champion judo Player and World Silver medallist Jiu Jitsu and Sambo (Martin Clarke) no where.

Contact Martin Clarke Sambo GrandMaster Judo 8th Dan at www.sittingbourne.org or sombogb@blueyonder.co.uk

Classical Martial Arts Society

What is the Classical Martial Arts Society?
We are an Examination Board specializing in awarding Grades in Classical Martial Arts

Who are the Examiners?
The Examination Board is headed by Englishman Martin Clarke 8th Dan Click to see his CV. He appoints experts from the International Martial Arts World to examine each candidate.

Is CMAS linked to any organisation?
No we are completely independent a CMAS qualification can be used as proof when joining the organisation of your choice that you have completed an examination and reached a certain standard

How to do I get examined?
You first contact us giving details of what Martial art you wished to be graded in. You will be expected to supply us with full details of yourself with a photograph; you will be expected to tell us how long you have been studying the Martial Art you wish to be examined in. You can supply your own syllabus which we will evaluate to see if it meets our criteria or we can supply you with a Syllabus.

Can you examine those wishing to take Competitive Grades?
No you would be expected to join an organisation that would have certain criteria for competitive grades.

How much does an examination cost?
This depends on what grade you are wishing to be graded in, there is once only fee for each grade if you fail for example a 1st Dan you can keep retaking that exam till you pass or give up.


email: Classicalmartialartssociety@blueyonder.co.uk

Neil Adams 8th Dan

NEIL ADAMS 8th Dan Judo Course
2 x Olympic Silver medallist, World and European Judo Champion

February 15th 2009

Young Judo Club, Swale Martial Arts Club, East Street Sittingbourne Kent

The Young Judo Club invited Neil Adams 8th Dan down to their Dojo to give instruction to its members; the Dojo had only enough room for 30 Judoka so the course was filled several weeks ago. Neil was asked to teach his famous Tia Otoshi and Ko Uchi Gari and this took up the first session. The second session concentrated on Armlocks and art form practically lost in modern day Judo but the reason the YJC wanted to learn Armlocks techniques from the world greatest exponent was because a lot of the Judo players are also International SAMBO players an in that sport more time is allowed to implement the technique. At the end of the session John Clarke 4th Dan stepped out and said that his 30 years of Judo it was first time he enjoyed a Ne Waza ( Ground work ) session

YJC President Martin Clarke 8th Dan opened the course stating that he had been privileged to have trained with some of the UK best Judo players in the History of the sport while in he in the National and Olympic Judo Squad but the best of the best was Neil Adams who he rated not only the best Judoka that GB has ever had but one of the best the World has ever seen. After the course had finished everyone agreed with him.

For those who are interested in Learning Judo at one of Britain’s oldest clubs they should go to http://www.youngjudoclub.co.uk/ http://www.sittingbournejudo.co.uk/ SomboGB @ Blueyonder.co.uk

More News On Club Mark

More News on Club Mark

For several months I have been writing about my concerns with regard to Club Mark and the United Kingdom Coaching Certificate and I am trying to warn the Public about its implication. Those in favour of Club Mark etc say it will never be a legal requirement in the formation of a Club, this may be true in theory but in practise I have my doubts for the following reasons:

1) Schools now have Sports Coordinators and they are already told not to recommend a Club that does not have a club Mark
2) Insurance premiums will be considerably higher for non Club Mark clubs if they can get insured
3) Schools, Educational Establishments, Sports Centre, Church facilities and Councils will only hire their facilities to Club Mark Clubs, This is being denied but I know of one School who will implement this in the next two years and as an ex Borough Councillor my sources tell me that the Council will be forced to operate the same.
4) Those clubs without Club Mark will be looked on with suspicion

So what is the Club Mark here is a piece from the official Web Site http://www.clubmark.org.uk
Clubmark was introduced in 2002 by Sport England to:
· Ensure that accrediting partners apply core common criteria to ensure that consistent good practice and minimum operating standards are delivered through all club development and accreditation schemes.
· To empower parent(s)/carer(s) when choosing a club for their children.
· To ensure that Clubmark accredited clubs are recognised through a common approach to branding.
· To provide a focus around which all organisations involved in sport can come together to support good practice in sports clubs working with children and young people.


The Club Mark is a great idea for Professional Clubs and Amateur Clubs with hundreds of members but my concern is for the Club of maybe just 20 children or the person who wants to start a club from scratch. Listed below is the Bronze award the lowest Club Mark on offer, I have used the Judo Version as that is the one I know but the rest of sports will be on the same level

Accreditation Criteria


Coaches and Volunteers


1) There are a minimum of two BJA Club Coaches or two UKCC Level Two Coaches working within the club programme -all coaches must hold a current valid BJA Coaches Certificate

2) The club has a Welfare Officer

3) The club has a Volunteer coordinator

4) The Welfare Officer has attended a Sports Coach UK Time to Listen course

3) At least two volunteers (one is the Welfare Officer)have attended a Sports Coach UK Safeguarding Children course

4) One coach has attended a sports coach UK Equity in your Coaching course

5) One volunteer has attended the Running Sport Club for All course in the last 12 months

6) At least two volunteers have attended the Running Sport Club For All courses in the last 12 months

7) The club has two or more qualified active Competition Officials within its membership


Duty of Care and Child Protection
8) The club has adopted the BJA Child Protection Policy and is working towards the procedures laid down

9) The club has adopted codes of conduct for all coaches, referees and volunteers working with children and young people

10) The club has a code of conduct for parents/guardians

11) The club has written procedures for dealing with injuries/accidents

12) The club has access to a telephone at all club sessions, gradings and competitions

13) Coaches and volunteers have access to first aid equipment at all club sessions, gradings and competitions

14) The club has the contact details of parents/carers and emergency/alternative contacts

15) The club records all junior players taking part in coaching activity on attendance sheets with access to important medical information
16) The club is affiliated to the BJA. and has Public Liability insurance

17) The club has an open/non­discriminatory constitution that is reviewed annually and comparable to the current BJA model

18) The club has a named contact for new and prospective players

19) The club has a specific membership category and pricing policy for children and young people

20) The club has contact with the Local Authority Sports Development Officer and/or County Sports Partnership

21) The club ensures that alt coaching and competition takes place within a safe facility

22) The club has a set of rules for children and young people

23) The club communicates regularly with players/ parents/carers via regular mailings of newsletter or information bulletin

24) The club has established one Club/School link at yellow belt standard

25) The club has a current written 12 month action plan updated annually at the club AGM


Playing Programme


26) The coaches and volunteers responsible for the programme have job descriptions with clear roles and responsibilities assigned

27) The club has separate Junior and Senior training sessions

28) The club provides opportunities for juniors to gain grades in the BJA Mon grading scheme

29) The club provides opportunities for members to attend BJA County/Area competitions

30) The club operates with a recommended player/coach ratio of no greater than 20.1


To obtain this you will need a Committee of a minimum of 6 to fit most constitutions plus you will need 2 qualified Coaches, Welfare Officer, 1 appointed Volunteer, 1 Child protection Officer, 2 competition official’s admittedly some of these can come from the committee, how many new clubs will get that amount of support from parents and how many new comers will have the expertise to organise the Club Mark. One of the Clubs that hire my Swale Martial Arts Club has had to form a sub committee to deal with the implication of getting a club mark this show how much work is involved.
What about the cost:
UKCC Coach Course £300 per person x 2 = £600
Welfare Officers Course £17.50
Volunteer Coordinators course £17.50
Safe guarding Children Course £17.50 x 2 + £35
Equity in Your Coaching Course £17.50
Running Sports Club for All courses £17.50
Competition Officials Course £17.50
First Aid Course £25

Total Cost £747.50

On top of this you have affiliation for your club and coaches on an annual basis.

So what do I think of the future?
1) Clubs will close
2) Clubs will try and merge to make clubs of 300 and more. This will eventually lead to all Coaches becoming paid professionals with all the relevant costs to the members
3) New clubs will not be started
4) Participation in Sport could fall by as much as 50% with all the Social problems that goes with children not being guided.
5) New Sports will not be invented
6) Competition will be paramount rather then participation
Although I have been great believer in Coach Education I had introduced a “Coaching Effective Programme” to my association back in the very early 1980’s I do think education should be a voluntary thing not compulsory. Since then there has been great strides in the education of Coaches and parents this has been done by modern technology and lots of information and publicity on the subject not by compulsion

I feel the UKCC and the Club Mark although well meaning will be detrimental to Sport in General and to the Public as whole if continued in its present model, there is a compulsion in this country and the EU for Government and its institutions to control every aspect of the Individuals life, the individual should have the Human Right to choose even if they choose incorrectly.

The UKCC and Club Mark will produce massive great clubs well organised and well coached, there events will be spectacular and a joy to watch and I can foresee a lot of people watching sport. Maybe we will get even more Olympic Medals to some this may justify the UKCC and Club Mark. Yet this will happen at the cost of less people actively participating in sport, sport is not about WATCHING it is about DOING. The Sports Council should remember their old slogan “Sports for All”.

Martin Clarke

The Author:



Martin Clarke Bio
D.O.B. 20/1/50 Father: John Martin Clarke 6th Dan 1927 - 1990 EnglishMother: Margret Gertrude Clarke 4th Dan - German. Wife: Valerie Susan 2nd Dan. Children: Donna Louise 19/5/70, John Martin William 4th Dan Judo 2nd Dan Jiu Jitsu, 4th Degree Sambo Wrestling 16/10/73, Susan Joanne 1st Dan 30/8/74. PRESENT GRADES: 8th Dan Judo, 6th Dan Jiu Jitsu, Grand Master CombatSombo and Sambo Wrestling. Black Standard Strength Sets. COACHING QUALIFICATIONS: Teachers Certificate in Handball & Weightlifting. Coaching Supervisor for the International Budo Federation, CombatSombo International, British Sambo Federation and Academy of Sport and Movement. Founder Member Academy of Coaching and Guild of Sports Internationalists.
POSITIONS HELD: Former Borough Councillor, President International Budo Federation GB, President British Sambo Federation and English Sambo Federation, Former Chairman Sittingbourne Sports Advisory Council, Former Treasurer Southern Region British English Olympic Wrestling Association, Former Council Member International Amateur Sambo Federation. International Budo Federation International Council Member. COMPETITION RECORD: won in excess of 300 medals in Judo, Sambo Wrestling, Weightlifting (Olympic and Power), Jiu Jitsu and Amateur Wrestling. Represented Great Britain at Judo, Jiu Jitsu and Sambo Wrestling. Member Olympic Judo Squad 78/79/80. World Games Silver 1985, World Silver 1986 Sambo Wrestling. World Silver 1984 Jiu Jitsu. European Bronze in 1991 at 41 years, first international at 16 years. World Sambo Silver Veterans 1998
World Master's Judo Champion 2001 ORGANISATIONAL RECORD: Since 1980 Martin has organised the IBF National Judo and karate Championships on an annual basis, before that he organised Area and County events for The British Judo Council and British Schools Judo Association, He has organised the British Amateur Wrestling Junior Championships, 5 Multi-Nation Judo Tournaments, 2 International Karate Meets, 1989 European Sambo Wrestling Championships, 1992 World Sambo Wrestling Championships. He has coached/managed Jiu Jitsu, Sombo Wrestlers and judo Players at International and World Events. Since 1989 he organised the International Summer School at St. Mary’s Bay.
Awarded Gold Medal for services to International Sambo by FIAS (World Governing Body for Sambo) only person in GB to receive this award. Member of the Academy of International Sambo Masters (only 8 people were invited to this Academy)WORK EXPERIENCE: Left School 1965. Agricultural apprenticeship, Agricultural College 1968 - 1969. Various city & Guilds, County Exams and National Certificate in Agriculture. Coached Professionally since 1971. KEC Coach 1971 - 1980. Since 1980 Managed the East Street Sports Centre. Owns a small boarding house, in 1990 opened Clarkes Sports Studio, 1997 opened Clarkees Bar. Continues Coach professionally.

UKCC and Canoeing

I thought my comments on the UKCC was a voice in the wilderness but NO Canoeing has fears as well try the link below

http://www.canoescotland.com/default.aspx?tabid=489&frmView=ShowPost&PostID=506