St Albans Judo Club

SAJC at Cromer with Sensei Robin OtaniBob Cleevely reports his memories of the four-day Cromer event: happy memories, as you'll see. He writes...

"The BJC National Whitsun Course at Cromer in Norfolk was, yet again, an excellent event, and a successful one for SAJC, with all participants from the club coming home from a great week, clutching their awards.

There were four days of high quality coaching and classroom-based courses. Jan Cleevely, Matt Lish  and Bob Cleevely completed the course and qualified as Club Grading Administrators; Matt and Bob qualified as Club Grading Assessors; and Matt decided to attempt qualification as a Club Level Referee. Meanwhile Victoria Cleevely,  Paddy and Tom Lish were busy learning new techniques and practising for their grading. Bob spent a day and a half coaching and examining several Kata at various levels, and, after completing a practical assessment, Matt went on to pass his referees exam. Our evenings were also active - with rounders, football and wide games.

"Friday, the final day, brought more success for SAJC during the grading. Both Paddy and Tom demonstrated their techniques really well, both raising their game to earn new grades of white belt 2 Brown Tabs and Orange belt 1 green tab, respectively. Well done lads! Ricky Cleevely travelled up, on the day, to join his Dad in the senior grading, and they competed against each other in the last contest of their group. Ricky narrowly evaded several Ricky and Bob Kime-no-katastrong attacks, and close to time countered and scored ippon (his rent is now due to be increased by 50 % at least!) Following this, he was placed in two line-ups to test higher grade aspirants, stopping a 3rd Dan by throwing with O-Soto-Gari for ippon, and countering an Uchi-Mata against a 4th Dan, to force a draw. Bob and Ricky finished the day with a display of Kime-no-Kata, and were both awarded their 3rd Dan. It must be a rare event for father and son to achieve their grade in this way - together.

Robert Cleevely"