Judo in London

**Horus** · Posted On: 12/05/2008 2:26pm

Did a search on here but was unable to find any info, and google isn't throwing up much although Budokwai looks like a possible option. Anyway, I'm moving to London in a month or so, and looking for a good Judo school in the area. I have a beginner's knowledge of BJJ, hoping to perhaps cross-train when I can afford to. I've got hold of Mike Swain's Judo DVD and also Dave Camarillo's 'Position Impossible' set to give me a basic idea of some of the techniques involved although obviously, as a beginner, I'm not looking to learn Judo from them right now, although the solo drills could be useful. Also, north London clubs would be preferable.

Thanks in advance.

Edit: apologies if this is in the wrong forum

Edit 2: this place looks promising http://www.tokeicentre.org/index.shtml

**milwaukee cop** · Posted On: 12/05/2008 3:11pm

The UK has many tough Judo clubs, and performs strongly on the international scene, and puts out a lot of strong players.

It should be very easy to find a good club in Metropolitian London.

**Abusivemelon** · Posted On: 12/07/2008 4:53pm

The place you found is BJA qualified, you wont know for sure until you try it but its a good sign.

Use this - http://www.britishjudo.org.uk/thesport/findclub.php

**Asriel** · Posted On: 12/07/2008 5:19pm

I was going to pop down the Tokei for the Wrestling on Saturdays but from what I remember you can't pay a one off fee and it wouldn't have really been worth it for me to pay the monthly fees for one class every couple of weeks.

It looks pretty good and you can train in BJJ, Judo and Wrestling. Give it a try and let us know how it is. I for one would be very interested to hear your opinion of it.

**Horus** · Posted On: 12/08/2008 12:47pm

OK thanks for the tips. I'll give them a look when I move there and see which one I think is best for me (probably be based more on location than anything, in which case Tokei is front runner)

**NorthWest** · Posted On: 12/08/2008 2:52pm

If you've got the opportunity to train at the Budokwai, then thats where you should go. No question.

**Kambei Shimada** · Posted On: 12/09/2008 3:17am

For Judo defintely try the Budokwai.

Or this guy Ray Stevens former Olympic Silver medalist and currently a 6th Dan(also a BJJ Black) teaches classes in Wimbledon.
http://www.raystevensjudo.co.uk/

**Eddie Hardon** · Posted On: 12/09/2008 10:15am

I'm blocked in the office but consider Sampson Sampson - a gentleman of Greek Cypriot origin and a 6th Dan. He's on the Acquaterra website that runs the Sobell Centre in Islington.

I have visited the dojo (temporary Naginata home) and it's small but excellent.

Who knows I might eventually get there myself.

That apart, The Budokwai is THE place to go but I was warned by a Judo 3rd Dan that they tend to use you as fodder. Not sure how true that is so regrets if I besmirch their good name. OTOH, "The Pyjama Game" by Mark Somebody is his journey as an out of condition 50 year beginner at The Budokwai. Thoroughly encouraging and good read.

Cheers

**Asriel** · Posted On: 12/09/2008 1:47pm

Fodder how?

**NorthWest** · Posted On: 12/09/2008 2:04pm

Yeah, I can't quite see why a club with the reputation and standing of the Budokwai would foster an atmosphere were newbs are viewed as fodder. What good would it do them?
The practices are probably hard, and you get plenty of top flight players there, so most normal players no doubt spend a lot of time in flight, but that by no means makes you fodder.

Anyone on here ever actually trained there care to comment?