Judo
Homepage: http://www.nijudo.com
Judo is a combat sport that has had Olympic status since Tokyo 1964 and first entered the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh as a demonstration sport in1986. A full house throughout this event resulted in the formation of the Commonwealth Judo Association who have organized a Commonwealth Tournament every two years since 1986.
If judo is included in the Commonwealth Games, as in Auckland 1990, where Joyce Malley won a bronze medal and Manchester 2002, where Lisa Bradley won a silver medal, then there is not a CJA event. Northern Ireland has hosted the CJA event twice. In 1988 it was in Coleraine and in 2006 in Londonderry. The most recent CJA Championships were held in Mauritius where NIJF President Dr Richard Briggs 5thDan represented Northern Ireland in his capacity as Vice President of the CJA.
Although Northern Ireland did not send a team to Mauritius due to funding difficulties, Richard’s attendance maintained the continuity in Northern Ireland’s participation.This is important because with Glasgow winning their bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games judo will almost certainly be included in these Games because Scottish judo is strong.
Inclusion in the Games should revitalize Commonwealth Judo in Northern Ireland and ensure that there is a steady build up to 2014 through the next CJA Championships in Singapore, followed by London or Nigeria in 2012.
Contact Details:
NI Judo Federation: House of Sport, Upper Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 5LA
Tel 028 90383814, Fax 028 90682757, Email: annlong@houseofsport.com
Dr Richard Briggs, President & NICGC Board Member
Tel 02890255503, Mob 0776485 3160
Email richard.briggs@afbini.gov.uk
