User:Steven David Withers

Judo has been my life for nearly 29 years. I started judo aged 7 because i was bullied at school. The hobby evolved into a serious commitment and finally a career, at first, as a full time athlete and now as a professional coach. This has given me the opportunity to travel, train and compete all over the World in such places as, Japan, Canada, America, Lithuania, Kenya, Egypt, Russia and most of Europe.

Personal highlights of my life in judo have included: 3 visits to Japan training and competing in the Kodokan, training at Tsukuba and Tokia Universities, with personal time spent with Mr. Yamashita and other Japanese players who have now gone on to fill national coaching roles with the Japanese National Team (Mr. Okada, Mr. Nakamura).

The pinnacle of my competitive career was representing Wales in the 2002 Commonwealth Games, in Manchester. An honour only very few have experienced as judo does not feature as a regular event in these Games. Standing on the rostrum in the Kodokan as the first Welsh International to win a medal in Japan stands out in my as one of my greatest and proudest achievements.

In 2005 enrolling on the first E.J.U lead, Foundation Degree (FdSc) in Sport Performance at Bath University, now being part of the first group to complete this course, has given me many opportunities to further myself as a coach. Already I have been personally invited by Mr. Daniel Lascau (1991 World Champion) to attend the E.J.U Coaching Seminar and the Tournament de Paris in 2006, which has helped further my experiences in coaching at international level, as well as the personal experiences I have already gained at club and national level.

My aims for the future are to help and develop judojin and assist, to the best of my ability, in their progression to self-fulfilment within judo. I wish to increase my knowledge of past and present Judo practices and pass that knowledge on. One of my main resources for this is the library of books and publications on Judo that I collected during my university studies and continue to collect. This compilation presently stands at over 300 works.

What is Ysgol Judo?

Ysgol Judo is a company set up in September 2000 with the aim of promoting Judo to schools in Wales as an alternative in physical education classes, or as before school, lunchtime or after school activity.

This is made possible by using lightweight interlocking mats that can be placed in an empty classroom or hall within minutes. Also the traditional Judo suits worn for participating can be hired or bought at the start of each term from the coach.

Steve Withers

Mobile: 07976057770 Email: stevewithers609@hotmail.com