We are back with the first club round-up of 2025. With some competitive outings, plus a lot of hard work and fun happening on the mats, it's been a strong start to the year so far!
The weekend of the 18th-19th of January saw several EdinburghJudo players step up for the first tournament of the year: the 2025 Scottish Open. Our players took home four medals across the senior and veterans categories, alongside some very strong performances by our juniors and cadets.
You can read a recap of the event, including full results and a competition image galley, over on our blog by clicking the button below:
Following the Scottish Open, we had Angela from SportJudo visit us for some training before heading back to the States.
We hope you had a good competition and enjoyed your time exploring and sightseeing in Edinburgh afterwards - we look forward to welcoming you and your SportJudo teammates again soon!
As February rolled around, it brought an opportunity for some of our junior players to compete, and our development squad had a great time at the JudoScotland Scottish All Stars event at Ravenscraig. For seven of our fourteen players, this was their first-ever competition beyond the club and they all did fantastic!
Our coaches were extremely proud of the effort and judo on display. The group won some contests, lost some, and learned so much along the way. What made us most proud was seeing everyone keep going and giving it their all, no matter what. Seeing everyone meet new people and make new friends was a bonus too!
A huge thank you to our coaches, parents, volunteers, and everyone who gives up their time to make these events possible and create such positive experiences for our young judoka.
In January, we launched the second edition of our Beginners Judo Course for adults. We welcomed another fantastic group into the dojo who were eager to start the year by trying something new, getting fitter, and meeting new people in the process.
Congratulations to the twenty four beginners who successfully achieved their 6th kyu (red belt) at the grading to conclude the course! There was a really great atmosphere and impressive level of judo demonstrated throughout the grading, mirroring the dedication and enthusiasm everyone has shown throughout each session.
A huge thank you to everyone who participated in the course and took the first step in their judo journey - it’s been a pleasure having you all on the mat and we’re looking forward to seeing you continue to progress through the ranks!
Sarah C & Sarah A had a great morning at the Business Networking Breakfast at Johnnie Walker Princes Street with WeDO Scotland; thank you to Chair Richard Simpson for facilitating the discussion.
Both shared their journeys, the lessons learned from competing in judo, and how those skills have shaped their approach to coaching young people, developing leaders, and applying them to business. Judo, like many sports, teaches invaluable life skills such as navigating setbacks, embracing vulnerability, taking accountability, building resilience, and working within a team. These are just as essential in business as they are on the mat.
Success is rarely achieved alone. Having the right people around you who believe in you, guide you, and support you through the highs and lows makes all the difference. At EdinburghJudo we’re privileged to have a team of incredible role models, coaches, staff, and passionate individuals all committed to making a real impact in the lives of others!
A group of our performance squad players took part in the English Open at the University of Wolverhampton down in Walsall, with Gav and Sarah A alongside to coach the juniors and cadets.
There was more experience bagged and strong performances all round from each player that stepped up to compete - win or lose, there were positives for everyone to take away from the competition. It was a particularly good day for Hazel, who secured her first medal in her new weight category of -70KG, showing that results come with hard work and consistency!
Great job to the whole team and congratulations to the following players on their podium finishes:
Juniors
Archie M (+100KG): Bronze
Seniors
Hazel T (-70KG): Bronze
Congratulations to EdinburghJudo coach and member David Gibson who recently achieved his 5th Dan and was presented with his certificate by Coaching Director Billy Cusack at the club.
Billy said, “It was an honour to present David with his 5th Dan certificate and to recognise his journey, effort and dedication to the sport that he loves.”
David, an EdinburghJudo member and coach, was especially proud to share the occasion with his son Calum, and it was good to see Rick Kenny OBE 8th Dan, Colin Dunlop, and Bill McNeil come in for the presentation which took place between our senior judo sessions.
It was great for our members to learn about David’s achievements, including his recent British Katame-No Kata bronze medal alongside Colin Dunlop, Male Veteran Athlete of the Year 2023 and his efforts promoting the Masters judo scene in Scotland. With David’s experience as a JudoScotland Board member, a British Judo Veterans Commission member, a Senior Examiner and British Judo Kata Examiner, we look forward to learning more about kata and embedding it into all parts of our club, with David playing a key role in our learning journey moving forward.
February was Eoin Fleming’s last month of training with us before he heads off to start his new role as National Performance Coach for Irish Judo.
Eoin has been with us at EdinburghJudo for the last ten years, following his performance at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Alongside his own training throughout his career as an elite athlete, Eoin has coached our players both in the club and within our partnership schools, and been a great influence both on and off the mat. We’ll miss Eoin, but we’re sure he’ll be a great asset to the performance programme at Irish Judo alongside Ben Fletcher as they head towards the 2028 Olympic Games!
We wish you all the best in your new endeavour Eoin, and we look forward to seeing you pop by the club whenever you’re back in Edinburgh!
March is setting up to be another busy month at EdinburghJudo, with more competitions, club events and, of course, lots of training and fun on the mat lined up!
In April, our Easter fun camp taking place from Monday 7th to Friday 11th from 8:30am - 4:45pm. Camp is open to all members and non-members aged 5 and above, with both single-day and full-week booking options available
With a whole week of fun, games and judo lined up by our team of qualified coaches, get your child involved by booking a place via the button below or get in touch for more information!
See you in the next round-up,
The EdinburghJudo Team ⛩️