Japan tour for young judoka. To Kyoto

Ritsumeikan University Girls Team with JNZ team – Kobayashi Sensei far right

The following athletes completed a 10 day training tour of Kyoto.  Training at Ritsumeikan University and Kyoto Gakuen High School.

NAME	CLUB
Louise KELLY	Nelson Judo Club
Qona CHRISTINE	Wellington Judo Academy
Maarten DE RIDDER	Renshuden Judo Club
Ria KNEY	Rollone Judo Academy
Alaina BAKER	Reshuden Judo Club
Ella KELSO	Gisborne Judo Club
Sydnee Andrews	Gisborne Judo Club
Paris LLOYD	Koizumi Kwai

It was a first visit for each of the 8 athletes that ventured over to Kyoto for training, experiencing daily judo training, living as athletes, sharing space, living quarters and their judo experiences.  The team was well received at both judo clubs, with Maarten De Ridder also training with the Ritsumeikan boysteam.  Lots to hard intense judo sessions during the 10 days, with either running or circuits each morning.  

The athletes biked or trained everywhere, lots of wonderful sites to see and things to do in and around Kyoto.

The team was accompanied by Kiki from Gisborne, and she is still alive and all athletes are returned home and all accounted for.  

Many thanks to Sensei Rick for making the contacts possible, and for checking up on the team while they were there.  The following are the wonderful coaches that allowed us to train with them and their teams. 

Ritsumeikan University ​– Kobayashi Sensei (Female Coach)

- Uemura Sensei (Male Coach)

Kyoto Gakuen High School​Itsuki Sato Sensei (Head Coach of the Junior High).

Japan