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The Olympic and Paralympic
teams are continuing their preparations for Beijing by completing
a three week training camp in Japan.
The two squads departed
for Japan on the 23 rd May, and will return on the 14 th
June. The Olympic squad has been training at three different
venues, Tsukuba University, Tokai University, and Tokyo
Dojo’s, while the Paralympic squad have remained at the
same facility in Tsukuba for the duration of their training.
All seven Olympic
players, Craig Fallon, Euan Burton, Winston Gordon, Peter
Cousins, Sarah Clark, Michelle Rogers and Karina Bryant
are taking part, while Ben Quilter, Darren Harris and Sam
Ingram are attending the Paralympic camp (Ian Rose withdraw
due to injury). The players are being supported by their
coaches, strength and conditioning coach, a psychologist
and physios.
The Olympic squad
are undertaking three hours of gruelling randori each day,
plus technical work with their coaches. “They are moving
around three different venues, to keep the players fresh
as three hours of randori with the same training group can
become very monotonous,” explains Karen Roberts, World Class
Operations Manager.
Tokai University,
where the squad will be in the second week, is the leading
university and often the toughest practice for the players.
Karen Roberts said
“It is fair to say that Japan is still considered by many
to be the leading judo nation, and will provide the players
with a high quality and variation of practise against the
Japanese style of fighting. It will also increase the volume
of practices, which are available.
“The volume and intensity
of the practises can not currently be matched in the UK,
but will hopefully be obtainable here in the future,” she
continued.
Along with the randori
sessions, each morning the players are participating in
a yoga / stretching session led by physio Neil Maclean Martin,
followed by a weights or cardiovascular session with strength
and conditioning coach Stuart Yule.
Commenting on the
squads preparations for Beijing Karen said, “Since the Europeans
the focused programme to Beijing has seen the players and
coaches working strongly as a team, and the work they have
done so far has exceeded expectations”.
Tokai University Dojo
Mens
Randori Session in Tokai University Dojo
Craig Fallon working with the team physio
Media Contact
James Sills
British Judo Association
01509 631 670 x230
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