Nakamura: "Not Just About Knowledge"

In judo, we have many teachers, coaches, sensei.

These people have a huge impact on the future of children, shaping them not only as athletes but as human beings. We pride ourselves on our judo values and the way in which they create a better society, modelling the dream of the founder, Jigoro Kano.

It was clear on day one of the Sarajevo Hopes Tournament and Technical Session with Kodokan Expert, NAKAMURA Misato.

Nakamura boasts two Olympic bronze medals from Beijing 2008, and Rio de Janeiro 2016, as well as three World titles in 2009, 2011 and 2015. It was after her 2016 Olympic medal that Nakamura retired from the international circuit, but now she is passing on her knowledge to a whole generation, though it isn’t only knowledge that she wants to pass on. Before the event in Sarajevo began, she explained in during the live draw that the purpose of this weekend wasn’t just to pass on knowledge, but was enjoyment, for the love of judo.

I really this it is very good that we have the seminar with the competition. Before the competition they have the chance to learn technique and it’s a nice thing because then they go try it when they are competing. They are very happy and very excited! Training is something to enjoy, and when you are so young, you must really like judo to keep going, at this age it is just very important .

With Nakamura on the Kodokan Seminar was Olympic bronze medallist, Maria CENTRACCHIO, who agreed that this opportunity is a great thing,

The focus is not on the competition, they know that the training session is an opportunity to learn but also to meet new people and have fun! Usually, in competition you can have one or two fights and that’s it finished, but here you are training before and after, it makes the whole experience very positive.

It’s also good for us, Misato and myself because the children see that we are people just like them and not these untouchable judoka, they get to train with us, do some simple things, they learn they can do anything. They see it is beautiful to share, the nations are all mixed and training together, they understand the power of sharing this experience. Another beautiful thing was how much they wanted to show us what they learned and demonstrate, they were not shy, not scared to make a mistake, and many told us they tried in competition so we have a good feeling.

In Japan, Nakamura has worked similarly with children with Heros Nippon Foundation,

I have had some experience in Japan, but it is not alongside a competition. They are also much younger, starting at six and up to twelve. The level here is higher because they’re older and it is a bit easier, they can understand and work in a different way.

It has been very good and I hope they go away and just practice, practice, practice and love what they are doing.

Author: Thea Cowen

Share Tweet Telegram WhatsApp E-Mail