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Chichester Ronin Judo Club
hosted a ‘truly inspiring’ Coach Revalidation event on nage and
katame no kata for the Southern Area on Sunday 12 December.
The day saw 25 participants
expertly guided through the nuances of the two kata’s – which
sees participants showcase pre-arranged sets of judo techniques
- by Dennis Penfold and his wife Tina.
Kata breaks down techniques
and is one of the best ways to learn and grasp the principles
of judo such as kuzushi (breaking balance), shizentai (posture)
or tai sabaki (body management). Kata will help a judoka develop
his or her techniques and overall understanding of judo.
The accomplished duo are
the only kata judges in Britain who are accredited by the International
Judo Federation, the sport’s governing body.
Dennis is a vastly experienced
coach and competitor, learning his trade at the Budokwai before
becoming a founder member of Portsmouth Judo club in 1948. Dennis
achieved a European silver medal, a remarkable feat as there were
no strict weight categories at the time.
Tina is regularly sought
out by judoka in other countries to hone their skills and is widely
respected as a coach.
Karen French, British Judo’s
London Development Manager and a former player at Chichester Judo
Club, was full of praise for the event.
“Dennis and Tina showed
why techniques are taught in certain ways and gave an explanation
of the applications using anecdotes and succinct reasoning.
“I thought it was a truly
inspiring event as the participants were totally engrossed and
were treated to video clips including being introduced to a less
known form of kata called go no kata or the “lost” kata of strength.
“Expert demonstrations
in juno kata (forms of gentleness) were also given by Chichester
and Portsmouth members Helen and Kathryn Cartwright as well as
Simon Holland and Matthew Levy who demonstrated Kodokan Goshin
Jutsu.”
The participants ranged
from beginner to 5th Dan black belt and everyone expressed
their intentions to utilise the kata skills for their own grading
and competing purposes.
Dennis and Tina were also
accompanied by Southern Area President Mick Leigh president who
addresses the group and gave his thanks on behalf of the candidates
to both Dennis and Tina who still study kata everyday and run
regular sessions at Fort Purbrook in Portsmouth on Monday evenings.
Other courses are being
by the Southern Area are in the pipeline and will be confirmed
in due course.
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