Ten Northern Home Counties judoka have recently returned from a bespoke student development course held in Tokyo, Japan.

Martin Rance (NHC Technical & Coaching Lead) and Samantha Chraniuk (High Wycombe Judo Centre Head Coach) led a small group of first-year Cadets to Matsumae Judo Juku, founded by former IJF President, Dr Shigeyoshi Matsumae. Matsumae Judo Juku is managed by Bosei Gakujuku, part of the Tokai University Educational System.

Chayse Franklin (Micklefield Judo Club), Hannah King (Bishops Stortford Judokwai), Maddison Powell (Judokwai Romford), Jamie Leroux (Renzoku Judo Club), Harrison Elliott (High Wycombe Judo Centre), Maria Zielinska, Sophie Mooney and Charlie Keeble (Kangei Judo Club) participated in a structured student development programme. Providing NHC students with an educational experience in Japanese culture and in Judo, whilst practicing and observing Dr. Shigeyoshi Matsumae’s concept of ‘Judo, Friendship, Peace’.

The team participated in evening practice sessions at Matsumae Judo Juku and the Kodokan Judo Institute. Each day, two NHC students were given leadership roles, taking on key duties and responsibilities such as conducting morning briefings and leading the group on travel and transportation routes. This provided an opportunity to develop leadership skills, build confidence, social skills and teamwork, whilst exploring the suburbs of Tokyo and taking in the sights of Temples, Shrines, Parks and Gardens.

Our thanks and appreciation are extended to all at Matsumae Judo Juku including Satoshi Tagaw – Manager of Bosei Gakujuku, Professor Hashimoto Toshiaki – Chairman, Sensei Takahide Haraguchi – Head Coach, Sensei Koda Izawa, Sensei Reina Miura, Sensei Kento Nimitz, Sensei Kento Sasaki and to Kento Iwanga of The Kodokan Judo Institute for their remarkable commitment to judo student development during the British Judo Northern Home Counties area education visit.

This life-changing experience would not have been possible without the support and funding from the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation and the British Judo Trust. Arigato gozaimasu.

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