Our Judo Club

Judo emphasizes physical and mental development and will extend itself into every area of your life.

Physically, Judo improves coordination, balance, strength, reflexes and flexibility. You will become stronger, faster and more precise, and you will get ripped!

Mentally, Judo promotes concentration and confidence and develops leadership. You will learn to make strategic decisions that will require less effort but deliver maximum efficiency. This is evident in Judo as self-defence, which requires skill rather than size or strength, the Judo way.

Judo is probably one of the few sports that is accessible to almost anyone. Children, adults, senior citizens and people with disabilities can all take part. Judo has become a major sport at the Para-Olympic Games.

Due to Judo requiring a clear and focused approach that demands the Judoka to be cognizant of his or her surroundings, the Judoka becomes more aware and better equipped to apply their mental and physical energy.

Regular practice teaches the Judoka, through the principles of Judo, a sense of respect and consideration for others and life around them. Participation in Judo teaches one to do one’s best to reach physical, intellectual and moral perfection to improve one’s own life, and the lives of those around you.

So, how to become a Judoka…

• Download the application form and fill it in;
• Print it or digitally sign it;
• If you printed it, bring the form with to the first available practice session;
• There you will be measured and informed where you can obtain a Gi (the uniform in which Judoka do their thing);
• If the right size is available, a loan Gi will be supplied and then you step on the Tatami (our practice field so to speak) and a new life starts for you.

Getting started...

Start with Beginner Classes:
Begin with introductory classes to learn the basic Judo stances, grips, and fundamental throws. You may throw someone in your first class!

Focus on Technique:
Pay close attention to proper form and technique for each move to maximize efficiency and minimize injury risk.

Practice Regularly:
Attend classes consistently and practice at home to reinforce what you learn.

Develop Sparring Skills:
Once comfortable with basic techniques, start practicing randori (free sparring) to apply your skills in a dynamic situation.

Gradual Progression:
Gradually advance to more complex techniques and higher levels of technique as your skills improve.

Consider Competition:
If you want to compete, participate in local Judo tournaments to test your abilities against other Judokas.

What Judo will teach you...

Etiquette:
Judo emphasizes respect and courtesy on and off the mat, including bowing to your instructor and opponent. In competition, Judoka are not allowed to celebrate a win on the mat, respecting the loser’s dignity. You will be safe on the mat.

Physical Fitness:
Judo requires a good level of physical fitness, including strength, flexibility, and endurance. You will become fit and strong, and you will learn to do many things you never thought possible.

Mental Discipline:
Judo emphasizes mental focus and control, which is crucial for effective technique execution.

Kadoshi JudoKwai is a private Judo club in Somerset West catering for persons of all ages ranging from 4 years and older. Being one of the older clubs in the country (established in 1955), we currently conduct two classes per day on a Monday and a Wednesday as indicated below.

17h00 to 18h00 – All Novices and Juniors (ages 4 to 13);
18h15 to 19h30 – Seniors and invited Juniors

The club originally trained in a building next to the train station in Somerset West and in 1975 a new building was erected at the current address in Somerset West by the then Mayor of the Helderberg, His Hon. Mr. Heunis.

During the years the club produced a large number of Provincial (now relegated to District) and National players. These players participated in both the forms of Judo namely contest (Shiai) and Kata (Formal demonstration of techniques). The club has produced many National and Continental medal winners. The club produced, apart from competitive Judokas, also Judokas who excelled on the Technical and Administrative sides. On a technical level we qualified a large group of Referees and Technical Officials (some who have achieved International status). The club is always well represented on Provincial (now District) level as well as at National level in the JSA Executive.

The club features a number of coaches/ instructors ranging from IJF Level 2 to Judo South Africa Level 1 certification. It is our aim to educate Judokas in all aspects of the sport Judo, throwing, grappling and formal demonstration by means of Kata (pre-arranged demonstration of techniques) as well as the Judo values as advocated by the International Body.

The sport Judo has its origins in the Japanese martial arts which involves grappling and throwing opponents to a tatami (mat). It is a safe and effective form of self-defence and physical education

We provide tuition to Judoka of all ages in combat techniques, Kata (formal demonstration of techniques) as well as self-defence methods. The club excels in both the formats on Local, National and International level. Participation in contests are of the Judoka’s own free will hence our strong participation in Kata events.

Judo, being originally “developed” as an educational tool, has provided the world with a number of morals which we uphold in the club. We are proud of our Judoka, many of them currently spread throughout the world, and the people they have become by aligning themselves with these morals and the principles of the sport.