As we begin to see more and more, there is a great cooperation between EJU member nations and Japan. There is an exchange set up in the UK which has seen the likes of EBINUMA Mashashi and ONO Shohei deliver their expertise while gaining cultural experience following their competitive careers. In Poreč, we were able to welcome MUKAI Shunsuke on to the Kids Camp,
I wanted to teach judo in other countries, so that is how I ended up in Croatia! I am currently working in Judo Klub Rijeka with the Slaviša BRADIĆ, he is friend of my father and so we had the connection. I have already been here for one year and two months and plan to stay at least another year. In April, I also went to Denmark, I have a friend teaching in Poland, SASAKI Kotaro, so he helped me deliver a seminar there.
During the introductory phase of the Kids Camp, Mukai explained that his favourite technique is o soto gari, which he later demonstrated and the children were able to develop their own technical abilities.
I retired as competitor, I was competing until 23 years old, then five years ago, I changed to teaching instead. I wouldn’t say I was a strong competitor, but I learned a lot about judo from the Kodokan, high school and also Tokai University. I wanted to share judo with a lot of people all around the world.
The name Mukai in relation to the Kodokan may spark similarities with those who follow Kata, as Mukai Mikihiro is in fact the father of Shunsuke, and is in neighbouring Slovenia this week as the Kata Expert for the Hoče European Judo Hopes Cup for U15.
Between the 12th and 14th of June, Bosnia and Herzegovina played host to the Kodokan Kata Seminar and examination, where we had former Olympic champions and medallists on the tatami, working hard in another aspect of judo. Shunshuke also happened to be on the tatami,
Last week I was in Sarajevo for the Kata Seminar and exam, I practiced Kodokan Goshin Jutsu with Tina TRSTENJAK, it was so difficult for me!
Author: Thea Cowen