Beginning of Judo

About 25 years ago I wrote an article about how Judo was started I have been asked to reproduce the article sorry to say I have lost the original so I will start again.

My main concern was the age of  Jigaro Kano started this new concept of Judo. According to http://www.judo-ch.jp/english/kanou_life/profile/index02.shtml Kano never started any form of Martial Art till he was 18 years of age at the age of 22 years he started his new School and style called Judo. Now this where I have a problem I have taught young people for over 40 years some of them extremely intelligent but for them to come up with a completely unique idea take some believing. So am I calling the follows of Kano Judo liars NO I just question was it a completely new concept.

Once again the above web site above states that at the age of 14 years he started to pursue Western Studies Geoff Gleeson in his pamphlet “The Life, Times & Ideology of Jigaro Kano, Founder of Judo 1860-1938” quoted  “What is a code of behaviour? Kano , in his capacity as a professional educationalist was much involved with these questions. He invented Judo in an attempt to answer them.

During the Meiji period which Kano was born into, the whole structure of Government and civil society was around Western ideals and philosophy and according to Gleeson, Kano would have very influenced by English Philosophers like John Stuart Mill and Samuel Smiles.

Could a young Kano who was into Morality and codes of behaviour not try to develop a practical system of instilling this into the Japanese people or maybe it was a university project, which directed him this way? Once again by going back to the web site you will how Kano benefited by studying Martial Arts and other sports also his full time job was in physical education. So he already  knew the benefits of sport and as Gleeson suggested he invented Judo because of this

Up until now I do not have a problem with history or rather the legend of Jigaro Kano what I do question how he supposedly invented Judo? The established belief is that he studied Jiu Jitsu and took all the really dangerous techniques out of the art to invent his Judo. This I cannot accept for we already have seen he was into the philosophy of English philosophers, which were diametrically opposed to that of the more traditional Japanese Martial Arts like Jiu Jitsu which was seen more as a self defence or attacking war like system.

I would suggest he wanted to develop a new moral and ethical system on the lines of the philosophers and western ideas he studied, he must have realised that to get this to be accepted by the Japanese people he had to produce a system which the Japanese could understand hence a Combat Form. As opposed to a Western form like Baseball, Football, Rugby etc.which are accepted in modern Japan I have doubts whether that type of sport would be accepted by a still feudal Japanese population plus did they understand the English idea of “Playing the Game” or “Taking Part being important” I doubt it.

This where I suggest that the basic idea of Judo could have come from CORNISH WRESTLING. It is mentioned earlier Japan was in a state of flux at this period when Kano was born the influence of the Europeans was predominant and the there was massive trade with the European Countries. So could a young Jigaro Kano not been watching the foreign ships come into port, could he not have seen a British Ship coming in from Plymouth and then watched the sailors fighting on the beach? Fighting yet not fighting? Maybe he was watching 2 Cornish Sailors having a bout of Cornish Wrestling, two men with cloth jackets grappling with each trying to defeat the other, yet when the fight finished they shook hand maybe put their arms around each other and laughed. Two combatants who were not injured and remained friends. Maybe he thought this is something I can work on for my new concepts I want to put to the Japanese people.

So what of Cornish Wrestling it is claimed they have evidence that it was played in the 4^th Century what is certain that Cornish Wrestlers were depicted on banners at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 AD. Go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18178309 this will give you some idea what Cornish Wrestling is, some say it is the oldest form of Wrestling in the World

This type of Wrestling is not unusual through out the World there are many countries who have similar styles for example in Mongolia Bokh, Georgian Chidoba, Uzbekistani Kurash, Celtic Wrestling, Canaries Lucha plus many others. Nearly all only allow holding above the waste and no ground work when competing, notice the use of the word competing.

When Judo first started ground fighting was not used and legend has it that Kano took his Judo Players to Jiu Jitsu School and they were all beaten by ground fighting he then decided to include groundwork  (Ne Waza) in his Judo a nice story. Yet it was more probable that it was a natural progression of the way Judo developed, Kano obviously an intelligent man could see that on many occasions when doing a throw they would fall to the floor so why stop the match. Plus remember he still had to convince people that this was a fighting art.

I really love Sambo a Russian Jacket Sport very similar to Judo in fact it founder Oshchepkov studied Judo under Kano, the reason I love competition Sambo is that it allows many more techniques then Judo Competition in fact I would suggest it is more to what Kano expected of his Judo

Yet Judo is more superior to all the other Grappling, Martial Arts in that it has Kata. This is a predetermined set of movements which is performed by two people with ultimate goal of gaining perfection, harmony of working with another person and respecting another person with the ultimate aim of becoming a form of moving meditation. Some will argue that it has no relationship to competitive Judo that may be true but does that matter?  That what makes Judo so different it is not just a Jacket Grappling Sport it is the SUPPLE WAY developed by a great thinker Jigaro Kano

It is reported that Kano quoted the following “Judo in reality is not a mere sport or game. I regard it as a principle of life, art, and science. In fact, it is a means for personal cultural attainment”

 Not a bad way to live your life

Martin Clarke 8^th Dan Judo 6^th Dan Jiu Jitsu FIAS Sambo Grand Master

IBF Judo Coaches meeting

IBF Annual Judo Coaches Meeting

Academy Sport @ Movement Milton Regis

Minutes of the Annual IBF Coaches Meeting

Sunday 13^th January 2013 at 11am

Present-

Martin Clarke IBF UK President (Chairman)

Sittingbourne-

Casey Belsey, Bradley Belsey,  Rob Belsey, George Loscombe, Michael Hutchinson, John Clarke, Vicky Franks, Keith Costa, Keith Brown, Jamie Marzetti

Folkestone-

Colin Carrott, Danny Carrott, Kerry Penfold

Faversham-

Miles Brown, Trevor Davies, George Holbrook, Sue Tanner, Lee Reeves

Bedford-

Russell Dodds, Ian Parker, Steve Jacob

Deal

Mick Davies, Wesley Cousins

London

Oleg Siblov

Apologies were received from our London, Scottish, N Ireland, Bexley, East Anglia and Nottingham Clubs

MC opened the meeting with a welcome and particular welcome to Mick Davies and Oleg

1-Post Olympic Impact

The impact on membership was discussed with most feeling that the events of the summer having minimal impact, although Faversham have seen a couple of new female members as a result.

2-UK Competitions

There was a resounding yes to the question do we need to continue running competitions? The cost implications of running events were discussed alongside issues around numbers of officials, how medals are awarded (if only 3 in a group then only 2 gold and silver awarded) and new rule changes. A decrease in match duration was agreed-with over 8’s set at 2 minutes and Kyu grades as 3 minutes. The use of corner judges will be dependent on the number of officials available. It was also agreed that referees decision would come into play after a golden score time of the original match period.

Upcoming competitions were discussed with Sittingbourne running a larger competition in March and a ground work event yet to be arranged.

Faversham will postpone their planned Feb comp to April/early May.

Folkestone will run their outdoor comp/fun day the last Saturday in July.

Bedford will be running British Open Sombo the 2^nd weekend in June and possibly another event in October.

MC also mentioned events possible in Scotland.

3-Club Mark

MC gave an overview of the club’s experiences of the Club mark process. He asked whether coaches would prefer it if we introduced our own system of specifications, that although wouldn’t be formally recognised, would give clubs something to work towards.

4-Kata

It was discussed whether there was still a place for the formal teaching of Kata and to have it as part of our grading syllabus. It was felt that there were suitably qualified coaches at every club that would allow individual clubs to run their own Kata courses rather than have them run centrally. MD suggested that this could contribute to an erosion of the Kata and that there is still a need for all the Kata coaches to get together to ensure consistency is maintained. LR offered that this is also the case for coaches within clubs as well, where we risk newly qualified coaches becoming replicas of other coaches in the club. This could be avoided by coaches ensuring they gain experiences and ideas from regular contact with other clubs.

5-IBF Instructors

MC gave an overview of the current coaching process. JC talked about how he had recently assessed several coaches over a longer period of time. MC informed everyone of an upcoming free style wrestling course being run by Alan Jones (National wrestling coach for Wales)

6-Dutch Open

This event is running 14^th-16^th March for Judo and Sombo. RD intends attending with a team.

7- European Competitions

This years IBF multi nations comp is in Belgium in April. MC to double check the date, ?21^st April. The UK has been approached to run the 2014 event. It was felt that Bedford would be an appropriate venue as there is an appropriate facility; it is central for UK competitors and its close proximity to Luton airport for European competitors. RD agreed to look at setting a date in April 2014 and requested support from other clubs in running this event.

8-Grading Structure

Mc gave overview of the current structure and asked for coach’s opinions on the current junior and Kyu grade syllabus. All clubs are using it currently and felt it was useful.

9-Referee Courses

MC asked if there was a demand for courses for referees.  It was felt a formal course was needed rather than a self teaching method to avoid mixed interpretation of the rules. TD suggested this should include all coaches as they should also have an understanding of the rules. After discussion it was agreed that MD would approach a Referee for the BJA to arrange possibility of him running a course for us. There was a positive response from the coach’s present stating interest in external trainers running the course. LR suggested involving juniors at an early stage to get them involved in refereeing. It was agreed that it would become part of the grading syllabus for green and blue junior belts.

10-Summer Camp

MC explained that he was unable to secure booking of the ACF camp at Dibgate again this year. After discussion it was decided to run a weekend camp at Sittingbourne with a Dan grading on the Sunday. JC added that after discussion with GH it was decided to run “Fight night” six times a year, 3 at Sittingbourne on a Tuesday and 3 at Faversham on a Thursday with an expectation that anyone doing a Dan grade exam attends at least 2

11-Membership & Insurance

MC gave a run down on some adjustments to member ship costs and insurance issues.

A.O.B-

CC brought up the issue of providing refreshments for table officials at competitions. KC to arrange for the Swallows competition.

Meeting was closed at 12.30pm

British Sombo Federation 2012 Annual Report

British Sombo Federation Annual Report for 2012

BSF President’s Report 2012

The year end with sad death of Lyn Costa wife of Secretary Keith Costa, Lyn was often seen in her electric buggy and before her MS got really bad she would be one of our table officials our thoughts go out to Keith and the rest of the family.

The year started with an invite to a formation of a Commonwealth Sambo Association this was the concept of a Lord Reading and Andrew Moshanov. The idea in principle was a good one but its formation was totally wrong, I have reported on this on several occasions but just to say at the meeting not one representative from the Commonwealth was an official member of FIAS 90% were Judoka, Andrew Moshanov is a Russian living in England and Lord Reading has never been seen at a Sombo event. So a very strange meeting especially as they formulated a committee etc. on contacting FIAS they had no knowledge of this organisation or Andrew Moshanov. It seems Andrew I believe is an employee of the FIAS President and very experienced Judo Coach who used to worked for the BJA. As this organisation was formed the BSF decide to organise a Commonwealth Sombo Championships to be held in September in Scotland this was a complete failure so much so we cancelled the event as the only entries we had were from the UK so it does put in doubt the viability of a Commonwealth Sombo organisation with out funding from FIAS or Lord Reading. Couple of good things came out of this meeting was that I met with Alan Jones the Welsh National Wrestling Coach and 7^th Dan Judo who will be joining his Welsh Wrestling Association in 2013 and to meet up again with Terry Watt from Ulster he made CSA Secretary but has since resigned. The CSA has had no meetings, competitions etc. since to my knowledge and we have not been approached to affiliate. I hope some sort of Commonwealth body is formed but it must be done under the auspices of FIAS

I attended three major Internationals the European Championships held in Moscow a marvellous tournament, the World Masters in Casablanca well organised but dominated by the Eastern European Block we had just two fighters and finally in November the Worlds held in Minsk again a marvellous event with some excellent matches. My only complaints was the organisation of the registration, these are always pandemonium I have written to FIAS and made some suggestions and the events used to have a degree of socialising but this seems to be neglected. FIAS and ESF, for the first time, paid for our accommodation this was much appreciated and allowed us to bring two good teams to the event. The highlight of the these events was Matthew Clempner Junior winning a World Bronze in the O100k class, the first World Championship medal since 1990 a great finish to the year. Reports on all these can be seen on a web site and have been published in various Martial Arts Magazine and Web sites.

The BSF have been successful in running courses and competitions throughout the year but we had a couple of disappointments the Commonwealth competition had to be cancelled this date was taken over by Red Star Sambo even this only attracted 30 people and a tournament organised Bedford Grappling Academy was cancel due to lack of entries it seems the recession is taking its toll especially with the cost of fuel. The last two British Opens were held in Scotland but it was felt that it was time to move back to England but not too Sittingbourne where it had been for over a decade as this was to far for people to travel so next years British Open will be in Bedford 2^nd Sunday in June an easier venue for people including flights into Luton.

BSF HQ will no longer be supplying Sombo equipment this has been handed out to Russell Dodds who has made major in roads in getting different supplies from around the World. I think one of the best things the BSF has done in recent years is to insist on correct kit at our events. The BSF looks forward to 2013 but we can not exist without the support of our members so we do need the various association affiliated to push for participation

Martin Clarke

BSF President

FIAS GrandMaster

The British Sombo Federation

Chairman’s Report 2012

Another full year for the British Sombo Federation, excellent turn out for both the British and Scottish Sombo Championships and this year stepping up the mark with a few good Combat Sombo players coming through to gain places in the World Championships in Minsk, Belarus in November and earlier on in the year for the European Sombo Championships in Moscow. Sombo/Sambo is on the up in the UK, in the last year there have been many seminars and coaching courses which are bringing much needed new blood into the sport and these are working, a good idea to keep at this. The only problems encountered have been the visa process for travelling also the way in which team selections were made this year for the trips abroad which has been a misunderstanding by a few people, this will have to be made crystal clear to anyone wanting to compete abroad in 2013, from the onset they must be aware that the British Sombo Federation is self funded as many of us also put a fair bit of time, effort and money into the sport that we love then others must do the same!

Olympic recognition is on the horizon but I feel that it is a long way off, FIAS part funded the trip to Belarus for the Worlds this year and we took a strong team to this major event in the Sombo calendar and for the first time in 25 years we came  away with a Bronze medal in the over 100 kilos section with big Matt Clempner on the podium. I feel that the British Sombo Federation should award Matt with the Master of Sombo award for his efforts, possibly at this year’s British Championships. Let’s look forward to 2013 and keep pushing the competitions, courses and seminars and remember that something that had very few players and members from the 1980’s onwards has now became somewhat of a success story.

I will be looking forward to seeing everyone at this year’s British and Scottish Championships.

Robin Hyslop

Chairman, British Sombo Federation  

Combat Sambo National Coach Report

Combat Sambo 2012

2012 so the introduction of a full format for Combat Sambo, from a Instructor award system to a full syllabus from White belt to 3 Degree Black.

Courses for Instructors for Level 1 and 2 were held in Burnley, Birmingham and West Yorkshire.

Qualifying 22 Combat Sambo and SportCombatSombo Instructors.

2012 also so a new club set up for Combat Sambo the Yorkshire Rose, Birmingham will be following in 2013.

Combat Sambo 1st Degree Black Belts were awarded to the Instructors at Yorkshire Rose after a 6-hour grading.

The Sport Combat Committee (SCC) was put in place for BSF, members could have a say in the way things are run and for Combat Sambo to be overseen and run correctly with all safety aspects in place.

2013 will see expansion in all areas within the Sport Combat field.

Allan Clarkin

National Sport Combat Coach

BSF National Sombo Coach Report

2012 was a very good year for Sombo with the British Sombo Federation taking a small team to the European in Russia in may and a full team to the worlds in Belarus in November as well as a team to the world master in morocco in October. The high light had to be seeing big Mat getting a bronze in the heavy weights and the first to do so for a very long time well done Mat. As the British coach I have to say I have been really impressed with the standard of the team player that have competed but if we are ever to get any real chance of competing with the eastern blocks we need funding and lots more squad training session where the team can all train together.

On another note we have had lots of coaching courses and promoted lots of new Sombo coaches so that we can get more people involved in Sombo.

Next year keep an eye out for dates of coach’s courses and dates for all comps.

All the best

John Clarke

National Coach

Master of Sombo

 B.S.F. Referees Report 2012

In terms of numbers, 2012 proved to be one of the most successful years in recent times, for The British Sombo Federation’s referees. We had six officials actively taking control in the middle, two from Scotland and four from England. We also had new mat side and table officials from the two countries. The first target for 2013, will be to increase these numbers and to get even more people involved and qualified. With the addition into the Federation, of the new Sombo clubs from Bedford and Burnley, this should easily be attainable.

Our second target will be to see a consistency in the application of rules in all tournaments. To this end, I would recommend a meeting of all officials before every competition starts. Particular emphasis should be on passivity, as shown in both the recent World and European Championships. This will encourage more throws and less defensive movement, as in fleeing the mat.

One major difference that we need to adopt is that the mat judge should score and evaluate every action independently, not just if he or she disagrees with the referee. In the event of two different scores from these two officials, the mat chairman’s decision should be final.

Ending on a positive note, the Federation obtained full referees uniforms this year. Undoubtedly, this, along with competitors wearing the correct kit, has added a professional image to our Federation.

Colin Carrott BSF Head of Referees Master of Sombo

USA Open Sambo

Those Combat Sambo and Sambo  players not  selected for Europeans may want to attend the USA Open. You will need the permission of the BSF to attend but for this event there is no selection process

Photo's do you see yourself

Here are a few old photo's see if you can remember the dates

Summer Camp at St Mary's Bay Mick Poole was there so that should give an idea

This YJC Edenbridge at a guess 1974 Dave Mansi I am told still runs the club

I won a silver at the 1st World Master's in Malta 1998. Terrible performance made me realise you can not enter these tournaments un- prepared. 2 years later won Gold at World Judo Masters but I had learn't my lesson and trained for it 

IBF Presentation of Honours 2001? Coniston Hotel Sittingbourne

IBF GB Delegation to IBF International Congress 1980's

Message from John Clarke National Sombo Coach

2012 was a very good year for sombo with the British sombo federation taking a small team to the European in Russia in may and a full team to the worlds in Belarus in November aswell as a team to the world master in morocco in October. The high light had to be seeing big Mat getting a bronze in the heavy weights and the first to do so for a very long time well done Mat.As the the British coach I have to say I have been really impressed with the standard of the team player that have competed but if we are ever to get any real chance of competing with the eastern blocks we need funding and lots more squad training session where the team can all train together.

On another note we have had lots of coaching courses and promoted lots of new sombo coaches so that we can get more people involved in sombo.

Next year keep an eye out for dates of coaches courses and dates for all comps. 

All the best

John Clarke

National Coach

Master of Sombo