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British Judo’s London
Area played a starring role at the much loved Japan Matsuri Festival
on Sunday 18 September at County Hall in the heart of the capital
next to the London Eye.
The annual event brings
the Japanese community and Londoners together to enjoy Japanese
culture and once again British Judo’s team in the capital were
well supported throughout.
The Budokwai organised
a judo display on the martial arts stage as IJF referee Helen
Davis took charge of a 5-on-1 challenge where Jerome Robinson
Reid took on five club colleagues.
Performances of randori
no kate were staged by Darren Clarke, Janaina Magalhaes, Derek
Smith, Glenn Spiers, Jackson Neto, Ian Wittlesea, Leon Silva,
Ian Walker and Louise Dunsford.
Japanese judo idol and
Athens Olympic gold Medallist Maki Tsukada also took part in the
demonstration which was exceptionally well received by the crowd
on the London South Bank in the shadow of the London Eye.
An information team
comprising of Craig and Debbie Ringer, Kevin Mason, Nick Shepherd
and Adrian Treveil joined BJA Staff Luke Farrugia, Gabor Szanyi
Nagy and London Manager Karen French discussed the sport with
attendees as the Olympic sport attracted tremendous interest.
Karen French said: “The
event definitely raises the profile of judo not just in London,
but with the many tourists in the capital who happen to come across
the event and the Japanese community. It also galvanises the teamwork
and camaraderie of the London Area to pull such events together
and give up their time to promote our sport.
“The event is a great
cultural spectacle and the constant sights, smells and the sound
of the Taiko drumming was a delight and this year’s event was
especially poignant as most stalls were raising funds for the
Japanese Earthquake appeal.”
For more information
on British Judo’s London Area please visit http://www.londonjudo.org.uk/
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