On March 13th, we held our Annual Tora-Kai School of Judo Club Championship at the Xcel Leisure Complex, Walton-on-Thames. Well done to all who participated and congratulations to the medal winners.
Judo Club for Boys & Girls aged 5 to 15+ at Schools & Sports Centres in Surrey, South West London & Middlesex.
What a memorable day! The photos from the club competition show the concentration and joy of the children.
Judo classes are now back to full strength after the holidays with a healthy waiting list (I’m sure that must be, in part, due to the music JC plays during the exercises!)
All the pupils are now training for the forthcoming gradings which are to be held starting Monday 11th of July
May 2022 News
What a memorable day the club competition was, all the hard work and preparation was worth it!
The photos from the competition show the concentration and joy of the competitors.
Classes are busy with a full waiting list for new members (I’m sure it must be, in part, due to JC’s music played during the exercises)!
What with the warmer weather we are able to leave the large doors open, allowing a good circulation of air while the children and adults are training
Please support our Annual Club Championships to be held at the Xcel Leisure Centre, Walton on Thames on Sunday 13th March.
February 2022 News
Tora-Kai coach Jean-claude has been approached by Chelsea Football Club to work with their academy Under 13s to Under 16s at the Cobham training ground. The aim is to build their self-confidence when falling using breakfall Judo techniques and ultimately reducing injuries .
Tora-Kai Annual Club Championships: Sunday 13th March 2022
We are looking forward our popular annual competition, which is a highlight of the year.
Please come and support us!
More details from Jean-Claude
Mobile: 07833 098792
Email: jean-claude@torakaijudo.co.uk
The Term Dates for December 2021 to April 2022 are;
December 6th: Grading week
December 13th: Parents presentation week
Christmas Holiday Break: 20th December to 3rd January
Spring Term Starts: 10th of January to 1st April
Half Term: February 14th to 18th
Tora-Kai Annual Club Championships: Sunday 13th March
No Judo in the week commening 21st March
Easter Break: April 4th-18th
A parental quote: “Thank goodness judo is practised in a warm dojo”!
August 2021 Update
Judo classes restarted at Xcel Leisure Centre Walton-On-Thames on June 7th.
Lessons were held on Monday and Thursday until July 15th.
Coach Jean-Claude is holding classes throughout the summer on a Thursday, with 2 sessions; 4 to 5:30 pm and 5:30 to 7pm.
In the 5:30 to 7pm classes, they are a number of Black Belts in attendance, to assist the coach.
There are only a few places available in each of the sessions.
For more details on the classes please call Jean-Claude on 07833 098 792.
Judo Classes (24th June 2021 Update)
All went smoothly!
After all the time spent in planning, negotiations with Xcel, and contacting the parents and pupils, classes restarted on Monday 7th and Thursday 8th.
Temperatures were taken and we used a new entrance and exit system.
It is marvellous to see so many faces reappearing after such a long break.
Lots of beginners want to start and numbers have to be limited in line with government regulations.
At last we are back!
Judo Classes (4th June 2021 Update)
At last !
Judo classes are restarting at Xcel Leisure Centre, Walton-on-Thames on Monday 7th June and Thursday 10th of June.
I know that the Chief Instructor Jean-Claude has contacted all past pupils and newcomers but just in case his mobile number is 07833 098 792, for more information on class times and availability.
Jean-Claude and his assistants have been working tirelessly coordinating this opening with the help of the management at Xcel , indeed we have a separate entrance and exit to the Centre .
I hope to see you all on either Monday 7th June or Thursday 10th
You can feel the excitement of the children as you enter the Dojo.
It is wonderful to have the judo classes restored and watch all the smiles and expectant faces.
Term Dates
From Monday 6th September to Friday 17th September
No Judo Monday 20th September to Friday 24th September
Judo restarts Monday 27th September
No Judo Monday 25th October to Friday 29th October
Last Judo this year Friday 17th December
Judo restarts Monday 10th January 2022
Summer Judo Classes
Judo classes restarted at Xcel Leisure Centre Walton-On-Thames on June 7th.
Lessons were held on Monday and Thursday until July 15th.
Coach Jean-Claude is holding classes throughout the summer on a Thursday, with 2 sessions; 4 to 5:30 pm and 5:30 to 7pm.
In the 5:30 to 7pm classes, they are a number of Black Belts in attendance, to assist the coach.
There are only a few places available in each of the sessions.
For more details on the classes please call Jean-Claude on 07833 098 792.
Judo Classes (24th June 2021 Update)
All went smoothly!
After all the time spent in planning, negotiations with Xcel, and contacting the parents and pupils, classes restarted on Monday 7th and Thursday 8th.
Temperatures were taken and we used a new entrance and exit system.
It is marvellous to see so many faces reappearing after such a long break.
Lots of beginners want to start and numbers have to be limited in line with government regulations.
At last we are back!
Judo Classes (4th June 2021 Update)
At last !
Judo classes are restarting at Xcel Leisure Centre, Walton-on-Thames on Monday 7th June and Thursday 10th of June.
I know that the Chief Instructor Jean-Claude has contacted all past pupils and newcomers but just in case his mobile number is 07833 098 792, for more information on class times and availability.
Jean-Claude and his assistants have been working tirelessly coordinating this opening with the help of the management at Xcel , indeed we have a separate entrance and exit to the Centre .
I hope to see you all on either Monday 7th June or Thursday 10th
Judo Classes (May 2021 Update)
We are in constant contact with all the schools and leisure centres about when we can restart judo classes.
In all the 50 odd years of Tora-Kai there has never been such a catastrophic time when we have had to suspend training judo, hopefully we are, at last, getting close to restarting classes and practice.
I personally have just had my second Covid vaccination along with another 15 million others!
I wish you all a safe and healthy future
December 2020 Update
At last it sounds as though that the Covid vaccination may be able to solve this terrible epidemic.
We are impatiently waiting to restart Judo lessons at the clubs venues .
May I wish all parents and pupils of Tora-Kai Judo Club a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.
November 2020 Update
Sadly after all our plans for starting Judo classes in November this current lock down has put an end to restarting.
Hopefully we will be able to restart fairly soon.
No Judo classes yet, I will keep my ‘fingers crossed’ that after this break we will be allowed to restart classes.
Mid October 2020 Update
We are restarting Judo classes at our main centre: The Elmbridge Leisure Centre complex on November 2nd 2020.
All previous students should have been notified. Any children or adults who would like to take up our sport please contact Jean-Claude on 07833 498 792.
He has full details of the new procedures involved in registering and attending classes.
Early October 2020 Update
We are still waiting for confirmation about restarting all our classes at Schools and Leisure Centres.
I do apologise to all the pupils about this enforced wait, I regularly receive calls about pupils who want to continue with their Judo or from children and adults who want to take up our sport.
I will contact all who are waiting just as soon as we have confirmation that it is safe to do so.
September 2020 Update
What with the August holidays over and some Schools returning to Judo classes in September, Tora -Kai is waiting to resume its practice sessions.
Referring to the official Judo Association website I find it confusing as to what is actually allowed, I feel that caution is required, however I would like to mention that all the coaches are looking forward to the classes resuming.
September 2020 Update
What with the August holidays over and some Schools returning to Judo classes in September, Tora -Kai is waiting to resume its practice sessions.
Referring to the official Judo Association website I find it confusing as to what is actually allowed, I feel that caution is required, however I would like to mention that all the coaches are looking forward to the classes resuming.
July Update
Slowly we are hearing more reassuring news about Judo classes returning to normal.
I have just been contacted by a School I coach Judo at, to ask me to return to teaching early September, hopefully this will go ahead. As to what precautions etc that will be in place, I have not been informed.
I now look forward to returning to coaching the sport of Judo and hopefully seeing all my pupils and friends again in September.
Keep Safe.
May Update
We are in the month of May, I like everybody else have had over 50 days of isolation and apart from 7 visits to the shops and a dog walk every morning I have stayed in and to somebody that has had over 30 Judo classes a week teaching 500 children, it is totally different to anything I have ever experienced. However, I am aware and humbled by the fortitude of my neighbours and of those less fortunate than myself. This is truly a new experience for us all.
Judo classes will resume as and when we are officially told that it is safe to continue.
I ask all Tora-Kai’s parents and pupils to be patient. Hopefully, classes will resume soon.
2020 Club Competition
We did it ! Our usual Club Competition went off without a ‘hitch’, the sixty competitors and a hundred and fifty parents etc, all seemed to enjoy the day and it was a pleasure to see the happy smiling faces leave the Xcel centre after some close fought contests.
We were fortunate enough to hold the Competition just before the virus ‘lock down’.
All our classes are now suspended until we are officially advised it is safe to restart them.
I am in good health and involved in self isolating, I do find it so strange, yet important, the suggested two metre separation on going shopping, still we all seem to be managing very well.
Lets hope we can beat this virus quickly !
Classes Postponed Until Further Notice
Dear Parent/s, Guardians and Students,
Further to my email yesterday, to inform you that from tomorrow with advice from Public Health England and the Government, Tora-Kai School of Judo will postpone their classes until further notice. Whilst this is a disappointing decision, I’m sure it is one that is unsurprising given the current situation locally, nationally and worldwide.
I will contact you again as soon as we have more information when the classes can restart.
Would like to take this opportunity, to thank you for all your support, please stay positive and patient.
Kindest regards
“Tora-Kai Club Championships 2020
“Just a few more days before our big event of the year — the Tora-Kai Club Championships, Sunday 15th March, to be held at the Xcel Leisure Centre, Walton-on-Thames.
Our 39th annual Competition at Xcel, it will be smaller this year taking up just half of the main hall, but this allows us plenty of room for all the visiting Parents, Spectators and Competitors.
It is rewarding to note that once again there is an increase in the number of girls taking part.
On Saturday evening,the 14th, our wiiling band of helpers will be assisting the Leisure Centre staff in laying out the mats and generally ensuring all is ready for the Competition on the Sunday.
Parents please make sure you have a revised Competition time sheet with details of when your son or daughter will be involved.
May I finish by wishing all the Competitors and their Parents a most enjoyable and inspiring day.”
“Christmas is just a few weeks away !
Most Tora-Kai Judo classes continue to operate until the second or third week in December and then close for the holiday period until the second week of January (please check with your children’s coach as to the exact dates ).
On hearing the predicted weather forecast we could be having a white Christmas this year!
On behalf of the coaches and myself may I wish all the children and adults who have Judo classes with Tora-Kai a lovely Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.”
Our Judo classes are flourishing and personally I am planning to promote some children from my classes to slightly more challenging groups where they will be able to continue their progress whilst enjoying their Judo.
Gradings and a competition will be held the second part of this Autumn term.
JC and I are in the process of our annual meeting with the Walton Xcel Centre Manager to prepare for next Club Competition, which will be held early next year.(more details will be sent out soon )
Now we now have a young adults/Senior class again I invite all my ex pupils and any person who is interested to contact me for a free trial in the sport of Judo .”
Our Judo classes are flourishing and personally I am planning to promote some children from my classes to slightly more challenging groups where they will be able to continue their progress whilst enjoying their Judo.
Gradings and a competition will be held the second part of this Autumn term.
JC and I are in the process of our annual meeting with the Walton Xcel Centre Manager to prepare for next Club Competition, which will be held early next year.(more details will be sent out soon )
Now we now have a young adults/Senior class again I invite all my ex pupils and any person who is interested to contact me for a free trial in the sport of Judo .”
How the year seems to race by.
It is now only a few more weeks before the Summer holidays.
Our School and Public Judo classes are flourishing with a steady stream of children and adults wanting to take up the sport.
Jean-Claude is busy training up the Spelthorne youth team for the Borough games; as from last year the competitors have to be newcomers to the sport.
David, Peter, Jonathan and Adrians classes are busy with the usual end of terms Gradings and Competitions, soon it will be time to see some of our pupils proudly wearing their new belts ;- a most rewarding sight for any Judo coach.”
We hold this special day for the benefit of our pupils (and if there is a profit, a local charity) it introduces them into the competitive side of this great sport of ours.
The Club Coaches spend many hours preparing for this competition both sorting out the categories and paperwork and actually setting up all the equipment required to host a day that involves over 150 children and 350 parents . This is with our proud boast that since the start of our gatherings we keep to time , with no category going over two and a half hours , indeed we finished an hour earlier than the expected time last Sunday.
It is a tribute to the Coaches and their willing band of helpers that they are able to manage to coordinate such a busy day.
It is now over forty years since we became the most popular Judo Club in the Country and I think we are still up with the top few judo clubs with nearly a thousand members.
My thanks must go to all the parents who gave up their time to ferry their children along to Xcel on this day , it was a pleasure to watch the mixed emotions on the parents faces , these feelings I remember so well when my own children used to compete.”
“We are looking forward to the Club Tournament
As I am now actually practising Judo again , after so many years of coaching children , I well remember the dull ache in your body after a class the night before !
However it is a positive pleasure to be on the mat again in Jean -Claude’s class.
This year our Club tournament is to be held in March , we usually hold the Competition in June but there are so many things on in that month our coaches have decided to try an alternative (for the first time in so many years my family may actually see me on fathers day ! ).
March 24th is the date when the pupils of the club meet up for the friendly competition. For some it will be a new experience, hopefully for all it will be an enjoyable day.
The Club Coaches have had many meetings and conversations with each other over the last year as to how to make this Competition our best ever.
I look forward to meeting many of you on the 24th.”
“Well its nearly the end of the year and its time to reflect on what the club has been involved in throughout the year.
As always we supported the Surrey Youth games this year with a new format : introducing our ‘new’ pupils to the competitive side of Judo.
We held our usual club competition in the main hall at the Xcel complex, Walton-on-Thames , a whole day of children competing against each other and hopefully remaining friends !
In all classes , throughout the year , competitions and gradings were held to continually allow the children to monitor their progress.
Our coaches are continually striving to maintain the excellent coaching standard they have achieved and they continually attend all the excellent necessary courses they require to coach Judo to children and adults.”
“ Can it be that we are less than 5 months away from our next Club Competition!
As a trial the coaches have decided that we should alter the date we hold our annual Club Competition ; it has been decided to hold our big showcase event in March next year. This is the event where over 200 boys , girls and young adults take part .
This Competition has been held for many years as an introductory experience for our many pupils , we usually run this event at the Xcel Leisure centre .
My good friend and ex pupil Bob has returned to continue his judo training with us , he has the ambition of entering the British Masters Competition next year and I intend to regularly up date how his training is going.
I wish him every success.”
“ After our successful Club Competition in July we are holding our usual coaches meeting.
This is to discuss the competition and see how we can improve the experience in the next Competition. Our meeting is planned for the 19th of October at the usual venue.
After 38 Competitions we are still trying to improve ‘ the day ‘ for children and parents.
A new competition check list has been devised and is in the process of being emailed to all coaches for their comments, hopefully this should help organise and assist .
Our senior section is flourishing and at the Xcel leisure centre there will be a theory grading for its members on Thursday 12th of October – 6 to 730 pm .”
Our coaches have now resumed all classes.
What with our warm and sunny summer it was indeed fortunate that we had a break July/August time.
This is traditionally the busiest time of the year for all classes as children move up a year and try out different sports.
A couple of date have been announced ; for the Surrey Youth games , they will be held over the weekend of the 15th/16th of June 2019.”
“Another successful year behind us – what a year!
Thanks to each of you, your dedication, support and hard work, we as a team have achieved amazing results. Thank you and well done.
What we’ve managed to achieve so far;
Looking forward to another year with even greater expectations.”
The coaches are preparing for another busy term ahead with a new influx of beginners especially in the Schools and some new classes are being opened in our Leisure Centres to cater for the demand .
I hope all our pupils are looking forward to another term of Judo practice and friendly competition.”
How the year seems to race by.
It is now only a few more weeks before the Summer holidays.
Our School and Public Judo classes are flourishing with a steady stream of children and adults wanting to take up the sport.
Jean-Claude is busy training up the Spelthorne youth team for the Borough games; as from last year the competitors have to be newcomers to the sport.
David, Peter, Jonathan and Adrians classes are busy with the usual end of terms Gradings and Competitions, soon it will be time to see some of our pupils proudly wearing their new belts ;- a most rewarding sight for any Judo coach.”
We hold this special day for the benefit of our pupils (and if there is a profit, a local charity) it introduces them into the competitive side of this great sport of ours.
The Club Coaches spend many hours preparing for this competition both sorting out the categories and paperwork and actually setting up all the equipment required to host a day that involves over 150 children and 350 parents . This is with our proud boast that since the start of our gatherings we keep to time , with no category going over two and a half hours , indeed we finished an hour earlier than the expected time last Sunday.
It is a tribute to the Coaches and their willing band of helpers that they are able to manage to coordinate such a busy day.
It is now over forty years since we became the most popular Judo Club in the Country and I think we are still up with the top few judo clubs with nearly a thousand members.
My thanks must go to all the parents who gave up their time to ferry their children along to Xcel on this day , it was a pleasure to watch the mixed emotions on the parents faces , these feelings I remember so well when my own children used to compete.”
“We are looking forward to the Club Tournament
As I am now actually practising Judo again , after so many years of coaching children , I well remember the dull ache in your body after a class the night before !
However it is a positive pleasure to be on the mat again in Jean -Claude’s class.
This year our Club tournament is to be held in March , we usually hold the Competition in June but there are so many things on in that month our coaches have decided to try an alternative (for the first time in so many years my family may actually see me on fathers day ! ).
March 24th is the date when the pupils of the club meet up for the friendly competition. For some it will be a new experience, hopefully for all it will be an enjoyable day.
The Club Coaches have had many meetings and conversations with each other over the last year as to how to make this Competition our best ever.
I look forward to meeting many of you on the 24th.”
“Well its nearly the end of the year and its time to reflect on what the club has been involved in throughout the year.
As always we supported the Surrey Youth games this year with a new format : introducing our ‘new’ pupils to the competitive side of Judo.
We held our usual club competition in the main hall at the Xcel complex, Walton-on-Thames , a whole day of children competing against each other and hopefully remaining friends !
In all classes , throughout the year , competitions and gradings were held to continually allow the children to monitor their progress.
Our coaches are continually striving to maintain the excellent coaching standard they have achieved and they continually attend all the excellent necessary courses they require to coach Judo to children and adults.”
“ Can it be that we are less than 5 months away from our next Club Competition!
As a trial the coaches have decided that we should alter the date we hold our annual Club Competition ; it has been decided to hold our big showcase event in March next year. This is the event where over 200 boys , girls and young adults take part .
This Competition has been held for many years as an introductory experience for our many pupils , we usually run this event at the Xcel Leisure centre .
My good friend and ex pupil Bob has returned to continue his judo training with us , he has the ambition of entering the British Masters Competition next year and I intend to regularly up date how his training is going.
I wish him every success.”
“ After our successful Club Competition in July we are holding our usual coaches meeting.
This is to discuss the competition and see how we can improve the experience in the next Competition. Our meeting is planned for the 19th of October at the usual venue.
After 38 Competitions we are still trying to improve ‘ the day ‘ for children and parents.
A new competition check list has been devised and is in the process of being emailed to all coaches for their comments, hopefully this should help organise and assist .
Our senior section is flourishing and at the Xcel leisure centre there will be a theory grading for its members on Thursday 12th of October – 6 to 730 pm .”
Our coaches have now resumed all classes.
What with our warm and sunny summer it was indeed fortunate that we had a break July/August time.
This is traditionally the busiest time of the year for all classes as children move up a year and try out different sports.
A couple of date have been announced ; for the Surrey Youth games , they will be held over the weekend of the 15th/16th of June 2019.”
“Another successful year behind us – what a year!
Thanks to each of you, your dedication, support and hard work, we as a team have achieved amazing results. Thank you and well done.
What we’ve managed to achieve so far;
Looking forward to another year with even greater expectations.”
“Back in 1989 a young girl Karina Bryant age 9 started to learn Judo with me, at the age of 12 after winning the southern area the “Surrey Herald” (see pictures below) made a write-up at the time noticing her exceptional size (6 feet) and her ambition to fight at the Olympics. The picture in the news article was taken with my daughter age 10 at the time.
That same girl went on to win several Junior and Senior world championships, finally winning Bronze at the London Olympics in 2012, proving that never stop dreaming and believing!
Photos above show the medal and Karina receiving her medal on the podium.
Photos below include me and Karina at the post Olympic party and a picture of us with Luje Preston National team coach. “
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