The British Judo Association Kata programme continues to go from strength to strength as evidenced by this year’s National Championships held at Samurai Judo Club on 24^th September 2023.

With thirty-three distinct entries, the kata performance levels were undoubtedly much improved on earlier Championships, and this was reflected in the judges’ scores and remarks.

On this occasion, many key officials were unavoidably absent, and the GB Kata community stepped up to deliver a fantastic competition. Special mention to Duncan Kinnear (Head Judge) and Vicky Cleevely from Shizentai Club for organising the scoring system, and also to Sarah Newbury and Samurai Judo Club for hosting the event.

In the 2023 field where all entrants were of a high standard, notable performances included:

• Two much-improved Nage-no-kata and Katame-no-kata by this year’s Champions Lewis and James, who have been attending international kata seminars and competing on the international kata circuit to increase their kata knowledge to elevate their kata performances;
• Shizentai Judo Club taking 3 national kata titles;
• Bob and Ricky taking the Kime-no-kata title for the tenth year;
• Following a focus in 2022 on delivering Itsutsu-no-kata courses with a national course being led by Yoshihiko Iura Kodokan 8^th Dan, the introduction of a new Itsutsu-no-kata category with a brilliant win by Pete and Bruce.

This year’s Kata Commission focus has been on Ju-no-kata and already improvements have been seen with Ju-no-kata and Katame-no-kata being the most populated entries.

Comments by Llyr Jones BJA Kata Chair: “It is really heartening to see the everyday enthusiasm for kata being translated into high-quality competitive kata performances by judoka from right across the UK.  This is a real testament to the hard work done by everyone over the year.  Well done to all kata competitors, coaches, and judges”

Comments by Dave Horton-Jones BJA Kata lead: “The level of participation was amazing, and this is largely due to the work by kata officials throughout the year delivering over 40 kata courses and keeping the interest up by facilitating examinations and lower-level area/club competitions”.

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2023 National Kata Course

Once again, the National Course is to be held at Aldershot, hosted by the Southern Area, and led by Kodokan Instructor Yoshihiko Iura 8^th Dan on 25 – 26^th November 2023. This course is always well attended so if you are interested in kata at any level or require kata certification for further promotion book your place now.  This year the course will cover Ju-no-kata on Saturday and Kodokan Goshin-jutsu on Sunday.

Read more about the 2023 National Kata Course

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