MINI & MIDI JUDO INSTRUCTORS

LARRY STEVENSON

Head of Mini, Midi and Junior Judo

Member of British Judo Squad -1985 till 1990
Contest career

Highlights

Some of my favourite moments in Judo include training with the great Yamashita at the Budokwai and practising with the American Olympic silver medallist Bobby Berland. On the competition scene I came face to face with two Olympic medalists, Mark Berger from Canada and Bjarni Friðriksson from Iceland. I also encountered David Douillet who went on to become an Olympic double gold medallist. During my time on the British Squad I had the enormous privilege of having fellow squad members such as Neil Adams, Ray Stevens, Dennis Stuart, Paul Ajala - too many British Judo greats to mention. Off the competition mat, I participated in a ten man demonstration with Olympic Champion Angelo Parisi at the Royal Albert Hall.

Trivia about me that you never knew: I attended the World Amateur Sumo championships in Japan as member of the first British Sumo team.

Teaching has always been an integral part of my Judo, seeing the delight on children's faces when they have had a brilliant time on the Judo mat, brings a lot of pleasure to me. My biggest aim is to make sure every child has the same experience that I had.

JACQUI LLOYD

“I have been teaching Judo since 1985. I have taught with many different coaches whose various styles have profoundly influenced my own Judo, and given me a varied and wide grounding for my own style.
I believe that regardless of age or ability, all the participants of my classes will have the opportunity to achieve a higher level of learning, co-ordination and skill, but that first and foremost all will learn through fun and enjoyment. thus improving self discipline, confidence and personal skills.”

JULIE MORGAN

1st Dan, Club Coach
Stepping on to the judo mat for the first time at 18 I was struck by the variety in the sport, the skill, the all round fitness and problem solving it requires. Further more it was an awful lot of fun and a big confidence booster. I wish to help my students benefit from all these positive aspects of judo and hopefully get as much out of it as I do.

Recent contest record

Other info

RAHUL BOSE

1st Dan.

I am 26 years old (as of 2008) and studying for my PhD in physics at Imperial College. I was lucky to start judo at the age of eight. Today, I could not imagine my life without it. It is the elaborate combination of co-ordination, strength and agility that makes judo my favourite sport and a great all-round workout. It also gives me mental balance and self-confidence. As an instructor I strive to be a role model for my students, also beyond the judo mat. I think that judo teaches respect and discipline and, above all, it’s great fun!

LEE SILVA

I started Judo as a boy, stopped for a few years then took up the sport again in my early twenties. I remember being amazed and slightly embarrassed, as I was being thrown around the tatami by a fourteen year old child, seemingly at will. He’s in his late twenties now and thankfully he has to work a little harder to throw me.

I’ll enter tournaments (under duress!). I didn’t start Judo to win medals, for me Judo is an enjoyable way to keep my mind and body active. My life is immersed in Judo now, and would be quite empty without it. I’ve met some fantastic people in various Dojos around the world, many of whom I can call my close friends.

I achieved 1st dan at the Budokwai in 2001 and I’m currently fighting for 2nd. I qualified as a level two coach in 2005. I am now teaching at various locations around London, including leisure centres, primary schools and a Synagogue.

I find that there is nothing more rewarding than seeing a room full of children or adults learning and enjoying this wonderful sport we know as JUDO.

Nadia Minardi

2 Dan

Domestic Results
1992, 95, 96, 97 - National Junior Champion
1991, 98 - National Junior Silver
1993, 94 - National Junior Bronze
1998 - British u20 Open Champion
1996 - British u19 Closed Champion
1994 & 95 - British u19 Closed Silver
1993 - British u19 Closed Bronze
1994 - National Senior Team Gold
1995, 98, 2001 - National Senior Team Bronze
2008 & 1996 - British Senior Closed Bronze
International Results
5-Jul-93 European Youth Olympics, Valkenswaard, Holland
12-Jun-94 Dutch Cadet International, Venray, Holland GOLD ?9-Oct-94 Beker Van Laakdal Cup, Antwerp, Belgium GOLD ?9-Oct-94 GB v Ukraine Team Match, Antwerp, Belgium GOLD ?25-Mar-95 Belgium Junior (u19) Open, Arlon, Belgium 7th Place ?25-Jun-95 German Junior (u19) Open, Berlin, Germany 7th Place ?10-Dec-95 British Home Team International, Manchester, England GOLD ?23-Mar-96 Belgium u19 Women’s Open, Arlon, Belgium SILVER ?28-Apr-96 French Junior (u19) Open, Laval, France ?25-May-96 Willesden International Tournament, London England GOLD ?2-Jun-96 Dutch Cadet International, Venray, Holland GOLD ?7-Jul-96 European Union Junior (u19) Championships, Oporto, Portugal BRONZE ?4-Oct-96 World Junior (u19) Championships, Oporto, Portugal ?15-Nov-96 European Junior (u19) Championships, Monte Carlo, Monaco ?22-Mar-97 Belgium Junior (u19) Open, Arlon, Belgium SILVER ?23-Mar-97 Belgium Senior Open, Arlon, Belgium ?27-Apr-97 French Junior (u19) Open, Paris, France ?24-May-97 Willesden International Tournament, London England SILVER ?13-Sep-97 Czech Junior (u19) Open, Jicin, Czech Republic SILVER ?26-Oct-97 European Union. Junior (u19) Championships, Algarve, Portugal BRONZE ?13-Nov-97 European Junior (u19) Championships, Ljubijana, Slovenia ?21-Mar-98 Belgium Junior (u20) Open, Arlon, Belgium
12-Apr-98 British Senior Open, Birmingham, England
26-Apr-98 French Junior (u20) Open, Marseilles, France
23-May-98 British Junior (u20) Open, London, England GOLD
13-Jun-98 Austrian Junior (u20) Open, Stockeau, Austria 7th Place
27-Jun-98 German Junior (u20) Open, Berlin, Germany 5th Place
15-Sep-98 European Union Junior (u20) Championships, Madeira, Portugal GOLD
21-Nov-98 European Junior (u20) Championships, Bucharest, Romania BRONZE
21-Mar-99 Belgium Senior Open, Arlon, Belgium
24-Apr-99 British Senior Open, Birmingham, England
19-Sep-09 GB World Cup for Men & Women, Birmingham, UK
Biography
I started judo at the tender age of 5 years, winning my first National Medal at 12. I achieved my black-belt at the young age of 15. My biggest achievements to date were winning a Junior European bronze medal and the European Union Championships. After a break from the competition circuit for a few years to concentrate academically, I made it back on to the British team in 2008. I have been coaching judo since 1997 it always a challenge coaching judo, but my kids at the club are great.
Other info
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science
Qualified Personal Trainer
Currently work as Gym Manager for Rolls-Royce and BBC Gym.

Christian Minardi

1 Dan

Domestic Results
1990, 92, 97 - National Junior Champion
1993 - National Junior Silver
1991, 95 - National Junior Bronze
1995 - British u21 Closed Champion
1993 - British u21 Closed Silver
1996 - British u21 Closed Bronze
1992 - National Junior Team Silver
1998 - National Senior Team Silver
1994 - National Senior Team Bronze
International Results
27-Oct-91 Dutch Cadet International, Alkmaar, Holland GOLD
8-Mar-92 Dutch Cadet International, Tilburg, Holland
25-Jun-94 German Junior (u21) Open, Berlin, Germany 5th Place
17-Sep-94 GB v Italy Schools’ Team Match, Crystal Palace, England GOLD
29-Oct-94 Italian International Team Tournament, Naples, Italy SILVER
24-Jun-95 German Junior (u21) Open, Berlin, Germany 5th Place
10-Sep-95 Czech Junior (u21) Open, Plzen, Czech Republic 5th Place
28-Apr-96 French Junior (u19) Open, Laval, France
24-May-97 Willesden International Tournament, London England SILVER
1-Jun-97 Dutch Junior International, Venray, Holland BRONZE
20-Sep-97 Austrian Junior (u21) Open, Villash, Austria
1-Feb-98 Belgium Senior Men’s Open, Liege, Belgium
11-Apr-98 British Senior Open, Birmingham, England
Biography
Like my sister, I started judo at a young age, and went on to win a number domestic and international medals. My biggest achievement to date was winning a Commonwealth Bronze medal in Mauritius. I have been a coaching judo since 1997, coaching all levels from absolute beginner to members of the British Team.

VALERIE PAUL

LEE GONZALEZ

I am a mini/midi and junior judo instructor at the Budokwai, as well as assisting with the morning toddler classes.
I first started judo at the age of twelve under the instruction of George Hoff, joining the Budokwai soon after this and training under the instruction of Brian Jacks and Neil Adams.

I have held a black belt in judo for over 20 years, and in 2006 also earned a black belt in Shotokan Karate, training under the instruction of Sensei Ohta as well as the late Sensei Enoeda.
I have been teaching both group and individual lessons at the Budokwai for approximately 16 years now and still thoroughly enjoy all aspects of my job, helping others learn as well as continuing to learn daily myself, from the wealth of experience and different views of others of all grades, ages and disciplines.