St Albans Judo Club

THIS IS AN ARCHIVE OF SEB GRAY'S LETTERS TO THE CLUB, ABOUT HIS LIFE PRACTISING JUDO AND STUDYING AT BATH UNIVERSITY. THE LETTERS ARE IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER. THE MOST RECENT LETTER IS ALSO REPORTED ON THE FRONT PAGE.

.
.
.
.
NOVEMBER 2005

Seb Gray has just completed the first six weeks of a sports performance degree at Bath University. He writes:

Hi All

Well, where do I begin?
I have been at Bath University now for over 6 weeks! Time certainly does fly when you are having fun. I have experienced many new things and feel I have learnt an awful lot. I have had to endure such activities as Toga Parties, Golf Pub Tours, and Karaoke nights and Halloween dressed as an Umpalumpa!! I have even managed to fit in some Judo!

The training has been absolutely phenomenal and I can still not get over exactly how much we actually train. (A copy of my timetable is attached…) When I first started the training was such a step up, I found it hard to keep up with the others. Even the warm ups were strenuous! It took me a couple of weeks to get used to, but now I am training at every session and still look forward to the next.

Mondays and Wednesdays are considered easy days with technique sessions during the day and randori in the evenings. The technique sessions are second to none with top coaching from Roy Inman, Darren Warner and Naurito Katabuchi. A lot of this has been focussed on extensive grip work and ashi waza. Techniques from Naurito’s “Uchimata” to Roy’s “Morotegari” to Darren’s “Osotogari” are also studied. Randori sessions are great fun but very tough. The warm up involves 15 minutes of aerobic and muscular work followed by 10 minutes of Uchi-komi, 20 minutes of groundwork and 45 minutes of continuous randori. If you thought that was easy, we finish off by climbing up an 8m rope, using just our arms, six times!!

Tuesdays and Thursdays are absolute “killers”! With two technique sessions on each day as well as two strength and conditioning sessions a good nights sleep the night before, is essential. The strength and conditioning sessions are taken by Darren and include sprint drills, Rope climbs, Uchi-komi on crash mats, rowing and weight training!

Friday is the day everyone looks forward to. Hydrotherapy! This is when all your aches and pains from the weeks training disappear. Then most weekends are spent looking forward to the coming week…

I am personally still studying Uchimata and with a lot of help from Naurito it is starting to work. A couple of weeks ago I competed at the Clacton International. Unfortunately, I was suffering with “Freshers Flu” but with encouragement from Team Bath and others around me I managed to compete. I fought well, pulling off two HUGE Uchimatas and holding for ippon, eventually reaching the final. The other finalist was a member of the National Cadet squad who had defeated me early this year. I lost to two wazari scoring take-downs… Although I was upset at the loss of the Gold, I surprised myself with the huge progress I had made since training at Bath. I am now training hard for the National trials in January where I hope to become a part of the National Cadet squad myself.

I hope everyone is well and I look forward to training with you over the Christmas period! Cheers, Seb

It sounds as if he's having fun and doing well. Seb will tell us more about his progress and experiences in future letters.

.
.
.
.
APRIL 2006

Seb writes to us again from his second term at Bath. He tells us about his experiences at the University and attending major competitions:

“Dear All

It seems a while since I last wrote and although I have managed the occasional visit to the club a lot has happened since my last update.
I was bitterly disappointed not to compete in the Junior (under 20 years of age) trials and felt that I could have done well.
Later as most of you know, I fought in the London International in the under 18 and under 81kg. I felt confident that day and achieved success.
The next shiai was the BUSA (British University Sports Association) tournament in Walsall in March where Bath university dominated the event. In the individual under 81kg contest I won my first two fights but lost to a second year student (second Dan). In the regional event on the following day I won the gold and felt better.
We stayed overnight in a local hotel and I ended up sitting with Daniel Lascau (6th dan, 1991 World Champion), Jane Bridge (6th dan, 1980 World Champion) and Roy Inman OBE (8th dan) among others.
A story emerged from Roy Inman that when he was training in Japan and staying with direct decedents of Dr Jigoro Kano he couldn’t get on with the food or the kneeling to eat at dinner. His host sensed that he did not like rice and that he was desperately in need toast for breakfast with his tea. Training commenced for Roy before sunrise! As a special surprise for Roy an armchair was purchased together with some bread. Can you imagine the surprise that Roy had when he came back from training to see the armchair? He sunk into the chair and his toast was given to him. Roy felt good. But not that good! He complained (can you imagine it) that there was no butter! Anyone knowing Roy will understand he loves his food and could get away with a comment of that nature.
I had an enjoyable day kind of supervising an event for the British Schools in February.
Another good weekend was at the ladies GB World Cup in Birmingham. I had to man a stand advertising the virtues of Bath University whilst sneaking out to watch some of the Judo. We didn’t do so well on the first day but better on the second.
One of the trainers at Bath is Norito Katabuchi who is world class and I spent lunchtimes with him learning all sorts of Japanese words.
I have just returned from Holland. This was a rather unsuccessful trip, in some ways but a great learning curve, competing in an under 20 ‘A’ Tournament. This was the second time that I have competed on the new IJF mats with no border in pristine yellow. The first was the BUSA tournament. I went on the mat with my name being proudly displayed on the massive electronic scoreboard and was dutifully dumped by the eventual winner of the under 81kg group. There were 27 competitors in this group! My second fight lasted a little longer although I got caught again. I was a little overawed at having Graham Randal (dressed in a GB shell suit standing next to my dad) look on at me at this stage! I now know what level I have to get to in order to stand any chance in the same competition next year. The programme is absolutely first class and I’ll try and bring it in. It mentions St Albans Judo Club of course. Their web site is www.judovenray.nl if anyone is interested.
I have just found out I cracked a rib at this event (cracked it in the first contest looking back) so no judo for me for a couple of weeks.
Training continues to be relentlessly hard but I seem to be benefiting. The Swedish squad among others have been to Bath recently and they look really good (especially the girls).
My studying is going well and I seem to be keeping up with most of the academic work despite being the youngest student. Adam is training here now as you are aware and it is nice to have another familiar judoka around.
I have several contests lined up in the next few months but have my eyes fixed at the moment on the Scottish Youth tournament in October. It is a long way off but hopefully I can do better in this event before returning to Holland next year.

Best wishes to everyone.

Seb”.

I'm sure I can speak for the Club in wishing Seb continued success in his studies and hoping that his determination pays off in future competitions. We look forward to his next letter.

.
.
.
.
DECEMBER 2006

Just finishing my first term in my second year back at Bath and thought I’d drop you guys a line.

Since my last letter I managed to get in a couple of competitions in the summer and was awarded with a silver medal in each. The first contest in Yorkshire was against the candidate for the European Youth in the under 81kg class and I lost to him in the final on a Yuko - I must be improving. The following week I was in Worthing and after a poor start (I reckon the weather got to me) I collected another silver for my troubles.

Unfortunately, at the end of July I picked up another injury training at the club and had to take a rest. I had already booked to go to Berlin for a training session with the Japanese, Russian and other squads. I still went – crutches and all! This coincided with a foiled attempt at wrecking the hell out of Heathrow, by terrorists. The security staff at Bristol Airport, were all a bit puzzled as to how to treat my crutches. But I did manage to board the plane together with two Under 23 squad players from Bath.

I found the trip exhausting and frustrating but enjoyed having the opportunity of watching and learning from the stars.

Back home there seemed to be no real progress with my leg and the Doctors were dragging their heels. So I escalated the diagnosis by arranging an MRI scan in Bath, at cost, because the NHS told me it would be six months before they would let me have one. The results of the MRI scan showed a blown cruciate ligament! A very deep breath was taken by me and the NHS doctors advised me it would be a further eight months before they could operate! So I begged, borrowed and almost stole and took myself off to a private hospital in Harpenden. Within two weeks of seeing me the Harpenden surgeons operated last month and reconstructed my knee and I am now recovering, and recovering so well that the Bath Physio reckons I may be able to do some Uchi Komi in three months.

The first term has been challenging for me as you would imagine. The University has been very supportive and have now involved me in a course at a local school helping children aged around 14 who have learning difficulties and I am embracing this project while continuing my recovery. Naturally I am still studying for the Performance degree and the pressure builds as the tutors have just announced that only a third of the course students are expected to go through to the third year.

I have now moved away from halls of residence, this period has now seen me move into shared accommodation with other students namely Ashley (son of Neil Adams) and others from differing sports such as swimming, rugby, basketball etc. This makes quite a good mix; although the rubbish left around the house together with the kitchen is very reminiscent of the “Young Ones”. Every so often I have to put my foot down and kind of order everyone to have a good clean up. I have never seen a kitchen get so messy, so quickly and as far as other areas of the house go, well I leave that to your imagination! Among our collected gear like internet access, various game machines, scores of DVD’s, CD’s and Sky we have a ball pit in the living area – bizarre but good fun.

Anyway enough of about injury, housing and student life etc.

I wanted to tell you about this years “must have” Christmas present for Judokas. It is the David Doubliett Judo game which is available as I write, from Holland, in the PS2 format.
I have had great fun playing this game that comes with wonderful simulation and graphics. You can pit your Judo skills against another player or the computer itself at a variety of different venues and the combination of moves and scenarios are enormous. There is no English commentary on this Dutch edition but you should be able to pick the game up, easy enough, cause all he moves are in Japanese and named accordingly! It is an absolutely “must have” and available from www.scubb.com currently at € 59.99.

I wish you well for Christmas and hope you have a Happy New Year.

Regards

Seb

P.S. I would like to reiterate my open invitation to anyone over 18, or 16 and over with parental permission, within the club, that wish to train at Bath either for an evening or a day or two to contact me. I may not be able to accompany you on the mat at present but would be able to introduce you to the players and ensure that you had a good time. You don’t have to “kip” in the ball pit for the night a mattress would be available!

.
.
.
.
SEPTEMBER 2007

Hi All

It was really good to see so many of you over the summer and it was great for me to actually get back on the mat.

As many of you know, last July I tore my cruciate ligaments in my knee and subsequently the past year has been filled with extensive rehab. Following surgery I was instructed to maintain full flexibility in the knee which often meant painful visits to the physiotherapist at Bath. The physiotherapist works with all the judoka and other elite athletes from the University including the likes of the former World Champion, Kate Howey. It was relieving to know I was in safe hands. By March I was running again and involving myself in some light technique work at the newly appointed, first European Centre of excellence for judo, Bath. Not being able to fully involve myself with the team was frustrating but my knee was feeling stronger day by day. Getting back on the mat at Bath was a big psychological thing for me. I must admit I was frightened the first and the second time. I don't know why because all of the physio's and the trainers advised me everything would be ok. It is now, and I am building up my confidence and have now begun training for my first competition, in what will have been eighteen months off the mat. That is a long time but with the number of visitors we have at the Dojo I should be able to get match fit fairly quickly.

As the old saying goes: Every cloud....
The injury, and the time away from judo, gifted me with an opportunity to focus on my academic work. I have now been invited to study Sports Performance for the third and final year. My last three assignments were given top marks and so as an average I could be looking for a 2-1. I spent a
lot of time on a project that I managed about Uchi Mata and the work has been shown to top officials from all over Europe. The project studied the difference and effectiveness of varying styles of the technique. The library here at Bath is open 24 hours a day and has an over supply of internet connections. Sometimes I have been known to stay until 04.00 hours! As the deadlines approach the time just seems to fly by.

Juggling around with the time spent with Judo, studying, being a student (which can be time consuming!). I have recently started work at a cocktail bar called Ha ha's which I believe are part of a chain in Southern England.
The work is hard and not very rewarding in financial terms but every little bit helps. In six months I have become top barman (measured on amount of "takings" I bring in) and one of my best judged cocktails is called the "Mojito". This is a classic drink which is very popular at the moment
consisting of 2 parts golden rum, 1 part lime juice topped up with soda water and poured over 10 mashed mint leaves, a teaspoon of sugar, 1 slice of lime and ice. The drink emanates from Cuba and has been highlighted by Hemingway. Try one if you haven't already! I have been known to work double shifts which is basically 14 hours through with an hour's break about 5.00pm.

As with most young people these days I don't really have a clue about what I want to do. I have been toying with several ideas such as The City, Recruitment Consultancy, Police and even the Teaching profession. I did have
a weeks' work experience in the City at a firm of stockbrokers which I enjoyed, I worked for about six months in a recruitment consultancy which was ok. Andrew P has been very helpful with advising the idea of a blip test
(which is a stamina endurance test) for the Police which I came out well on.

An opportunity arose to work with under-achieving children from a local school. The programme involved coaching a group of 11 to 15 year olds in Judo. At the end of the 3 week period, the headmaster informed officials at
Bath that due to the success of my taster sessions the school had invested in Judo lessons available to the whole school. I have really enjoyed helping out with the kids down here at Bath so I might explore more. I do know,
however, because of injury I have not been able to give my best in terms of Judo. I just need a bit of luck here and there is a possibility of me staying on for another year. Doing what, I don't know yet.

My friend's Mum has just bought a house here as an investment for her son Nick and a couple of friends (me included). I will obviously have to pay rent but this means that we have little aggravation with the Landlord although I will miss the ball pit (see previous newsletter).

Regards

Seb

P.S. I would like to reiterate my open invitation to anyone over 18, or 16 andover with parental permission, within the club, that wish to train at Bath either for an evening or a day or two to contact me.

.
.
.
.