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SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL OPEN – 27TH – 28TH FEB

Wishing a successful first competition in 12 months to the 20 or so Budokan athletes competing this weekend in the SIO. It will be a different style of event and we need to get used to the precautions taken; however, there is a new venue and we should be grateful and enthusiastic to be competing again in Australia. Focus on the competition and the athletes – that’s what’s important. 

  • Note that due to the competition, there is no club training on this Saturday 27th Feb.

CLUB ENTRY/EXIT PROCEDURES

  • Reminder - Budokan QR Code Entry System.When arriving at the club, please:
  1. scan your phone (using your camera) on the QR Code near the front door and register yourself (if entering the hall) and your child/ children. This is now a Government requirement. Take care to use the code on the right hand side. The one on the left is for Universal Combat Academy (MMA/BJJ club)
  2. do not drop your children off without scanning them in first
  3. show your phone confirmation of your scan to a coach / Committee member / attendant before entering the hall
  4. you must complete the sign-in book if you do not have a mobile phone with the Service NSW App.
  5. allow temperature checks to be taken and ensure that you sanitise your hands
  6. At this time spectators will again be limited to 15. Social distancing (1.5m) will be enforced

 

  • Hygiene Note:
  1. Recently, some athletes have been seen walking from their cars to the hall in bare feet, one even going to the toilet block in bare feet during training. This is completely unacceptable and in future any athlete who does this will not be allowed in the hall.
  2. There have also been 2 cases where athletes have inadvertently taken someone else’s thongs/slides when leaving the hall. Juniors in particular must take care to collect their own footwear.

Finally, many drink bottles (and occasionally clothing, Judogis and shoes/slides) are being left behind after training – please ensure that you take all your belongings when you leave the hall. There are over 300 users of our hall and we can’t guarantee that anything you leave behind will be there when you return.

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL OPEN – 13TH – 14TH FEB

Well done to the families who started the trek to Melbourne, some getting there only to be greeted by the lockdown and cancellation of the competition – that’s the luck of the current climate I guess. Trying is still better than sitting and waiting!!

UPDATE - NEW TRAINING FEE ON-LINE VOUCHER PURCHASE SYSTEM

_____________________________________________________________________________Detailed instructions on the new on-line system for payment of club training fees are now on the club’s website at https://www.budokan-judo-club.com/judo-training-fees.html. Congratulations to all the club members (and their parents) who have already successfully bought club training vouchers using this system, in all over 20. Many have given me positive feedback on how simple the process is. The virtual Budokan shop located at https://revolutionise.com.au/budokanjc/ 

  • Don’t forget to use Active Kids Vouchers (available from Service NSW) if your child is eligible and send me (Rob) the details. As previously mentioned, Kelly McPherson is now helping me to follow up all club members regarding both Judo NSW membership and Budokan Club Training fees. Kelly’s contact is kellymc80@optusnet.com.au.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATE – NATHAN AND JOSH

World Masters, Doha Qatar 11-13 Jan21. Nathan and Josh

  • Josh drew World #18 and European Bronze medallist and Grand Prix Gold medallist Verstraeten from Belgium. Josh fought a very high-paced high-spirited match putting BEL under pressure standing and on the ground. With scores even and only 30 seconds remaining, BEL transitioned Josh to the ground and managed to turn him over for the win. An exceptional performance given the very short notice Josh had to prepare for this event.
  • Nathan drew World #4, former World and Masters Champion and multiple Grand Slam/Grand Prix winner An from South Korea. Nathan looked sharp from the start and was moving well. An attacked with Kata-Guruma and Nathan defended well taking An to the ground. In the next exchange they each attacked once and just before the half-way mark An forced Nathan to spin onto his face from a foot sweep. Nath defended on the ground but was eventually held down. An won his next 4 matches to take his second Masters Gold. In the process of defending Nathan twisted his torso causing a fracture to his rib cartilage. Both boys returned home and Nathan had to miss the Tel-Aviv (Israel) Grand Slam and will also miss the Tashkent (Uzbekistan) Grand Slam.

 Tel Aviv Grand Slam, Israel 18-20 Feb 21. Josh

  • Josh drew Karakizidi from Greece who was former Russian National Champion and multiple European Cup winner. As predicted GRE attacked early with drop Seoi-Nage and brought Josh to turtle position. Josh defended well but as he was trying to get up, GRE changed his technique and turned Josh over for a hold down. This was very disappointing for Josh who was looking forward to getting stuck into this match. GRE then lost to the Russian who won Bronze.

 Ongoing Events.

  • Following Tel Aviv, the Australian Team was to train in Valencia Spain having previously arranged this with the Spanish National Coach but at the last minute, they were advised that they needed approval from the Spanish Government which was not forthcoming. So Josh is now in Hungary preparing for the Tashkent (Uzbekistan) Grand Slam on 5 March. Nathan will now compete next at the Tblisi (Georgia) Grand Slam on 26 March.  Both will then compete in the Antalya (Turkey) Grand Slam (1 April) and then the Asia-Oceania Continental Championships in Bishkek Kyrgysztan (7-10 April) before returning home. However, there is now discussion on rescheduling the Asian event – the situation overseas is certainly fragile and a massive additional obstacle to our athletes. We wish them both all the success in the world at these events.
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