Judo

Judo, which means "gentle way" in Japanese terminology, is a modern martial art, combat sport and Olympic sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilise or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling manoeuvre, or force an opponent to submit by joint locking or by executing a strangle hold or choke. Strikes and thrusts by hands and feet as well as weapons defences are a part of judo, but only in pre-arranged forms (kata) and are not allowed in judo competition or free practice (randori). 

The 2011 judo season started off well with double the numbers registering for the Wits Judo Club as compared to the previous year. In April, five sports bursaries were awarded to the judokas that have excelled in their respective weight groups, namely Amanda-Lee Grobler, Ebrahim Nadat, Natasha Glassford and Graham Wookey. 


The highlight of the year however was the University Sport South Africa (USSA) Judo Tournament hosted by the University of Cape Town in April 2011. Wits Judo queen, Natasha Glassford, scooped 2 gold medals and once again walked away with the Best Lady and Lady Prestige award for the second year in a row. She was selected for the USSA team to tour Portugal in the same year. Glassford was named Sportswoman of the Year following her outstanding achievements on the USSA, national and international Judo stages.

For more information on how to join the club, contact Graham Wookey on 073 539 3058 or the Sports Officer, Marius Henn, on (011) 717 - 9425 (e-mail marius.henn@wits.ac.za).