Disabled students at the University of Derby got the chance to try out their judo skills and sign up for the University’s latest athletic club at a recent martial arts demo and taster day.

The event took place on Friday 27th November and was organised by the University’s Disabled Students Officer with support from representatives of the Student Union and the BJA’s Regional Development Officer, Terri-Ann Elliot.

The highlight of the day was when the students took to the mat to have a go at judo. The sessions taking place drew a great crowd and it was thrilling to see one fearless student taking the ne-waza skills he had just learnt and putting them into action with considerable success against the University’s Disabled Students Officer; Catching him with a good shimi-waza and holding him with a strong, although slightly unorthodox variation of Mune-gatame, was an impressive feat considering the difference in size between the pair and the fact that this particular student had just climbed out of a wheelchair to take part in the contest.

The event proved to be a great success with judo, kick boxing and self-defence demonstrations and the opportunity for students to slip off their shoes and join in the fun. Students of all ages, shapes and sizes where convinced to give judo a go with a number of students signing up to join the University’s proposed judo club.