TOP judo officials, coaches and judokas alike are optimistic that the two-day Judo Dispatch Program organized by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Tokyo Metropolitan government over the weekend will have a huge positive effect on the national athletes and the Philippine Judo Federation’s grassroots programs.
Close to 300 judokas nationwide from PJF member clubs were actively engaged during the two-day workshop led by former Japanese national coach and Tokyo Judo Federation president Toriumi Matagoro at the PSC badminton gym.
Joining him during the course were two-time world champion Yasuyuki Muneta, former back-to-back Japan national champ Junjie Omori and 2015 world championship silver medalist Megumi Tachimoto, who showed their “trade secrets” with the participants that made them elite judokas.
“This two-day workshop is such a welcome thing for us. And we are grateful to both the PSC and Tokyo Metropolitan Government for their partnership in holding this event. This definitely perks up the judo community,” noted PJF president Ali Sulit.
“I foresee that this will spark greater enthusiasm for the sport, especially for our grassroots program, which is a very big focus of our present efforts,” said Sulit, who, together with PJF Secretary General Dave Carter, joined the actual workshop. Carter also welcomed the holding of the workshop and thanked PSC chairman Richard Bachmann for personally taking charge of the affair, which was also attended by Commissioners Walter Torres and Bong Coo.
“Chairman Dickie wanted this event handled properly so we are grateful for that. Our young judokas will definitely benefit from this event featuring world-class coaches,” said Carter, revealing the PSC chief hopes to organize the workshop twice a year.
Matagoro, who also coached the national teams of France, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, was delighted by the enthusiastic response of the judokas during the two-day event.
“I believe our workshop was very successful because both our coaches and your judokas did their best. We noted that your judokas tried to absorb quickly the lessons that were being taught. Hopefully, we can return again,” Matagoro said.
National coach Gilbert Ramirez was glad the coaches were generous in sharing their tips, experience and knowledge that made them successful in the participating judokas.
