The Original Judo Podcast

This week we welcome back to the show Connah Anders who updates us on his journey towards Paris 2024 Paralympics and recent promotion to Dan grade. The show is also joined by Judo newcomer Josh Till, and we get into his experience of judo so far (poisoned by me!) as well as comparisons with BJJ.

Towards the end of the show we dig into the sticks and sunglasses club in VI Judo (athletes who play the classification system) and sandbagging in BJJ.

I coach both Connah and Josh, and it has been an absolute pleasure to have them on the mat. I do have to apologise though, as they both have to put up with my nonsense constantly, and this may come through in how excitable I am on this pod! Hopefully its only sweary and childish in parts, as i really enjoyed recording this one, and think we cover some really interesting stuff.

This week we welcome Tokyo Olympian Prisca Awiti Alcatraz to the show. We talk through her fantastic recent performance at the recent Doha Worlds, where she dethroned 2022 World Champion Horikawa en route to a 5th finish. We also discuss her confidence on the mat when she's facing up against the biggest names in the sport, coming up through Enfield JC, as well her Tokyo 2020ne experience with Team Mexico.

Follow Prisca's journey toward Paris2024 on Instagram @priscaalcaraz1 and her YouTube channel @pvlogs6306

Massive thanks to Prisca for giving up her time, and sticking with the interview through connection issues and interruptions from my daughter!

Regular co-host Fitz Davies joins the show and we get into 3 or 4 of the big controversies to come out of the recent Doha World Championships.

We go through the no-score ride and roll in the Riner Tasoev final (and subsequent IJF statement and then apology), head-diving is back (and in a big way!), shido’s deciding fights, and Pinot’s cheeky leg grab ko-uchi in the Teams final. Finally, we chat through a couple of the stand out athletes who competed.

This week we're joined on the show by GB's -57kg Acelya Toprak. We talk about the challenges of managing full time judo alongside education, her commonwealth games experience as well as what its like being of a big group of GB talent at -57kg.

Follow Acelya’s journey on Instagram @acelyatoprak

This week the show is joined by GB’s Charlie Young. Recent winner of the Rome European Open, we talk through his selection for the upcoming Worlds and goals, his performance in Rome and he explains TikTok to me!

Follow his journey toward Paris 2024 at @ctotheharles on TikTok and @charlesyoungie on Instagram.

This week we welcome Scotland's Aiden Moffat to the show. Aiden is a multiple GB medallist, took a 5th place in 2011 Youth Olympics, and spent several years training full time at both the GB Judo centre of excellence in Walsall, and then the Scottish Judo centre of excellence in Ratho.

Aiden talks openly about his life in judo, the challenges of holding his body together, and returning to his home club as a coach hoping to give back to the sport. Huge thanks to Aiden for coming on the show. If you want to find out more about Tayside Judo club find them on Instagram @taysidejudo and at taysidejudo.co.uk

Almost 4 years ago the Judo community was rocked by the news of the death of Craig Fallon (World Champion 2005 -60kg). Whilst Craig was a hero to many in the world of Judo, a World and European champion, he struggled with depression. His suicide shook the whole community, and devastated his friends and family.

The Craig Fallon Foundation last year ran its inaugural event, the Craig Fallon Cup, a competition set up in memory of Craig, an event that is returning in just a few months. This week, Gavin Davies, Craig’s close friend and a formidable judoka in his own right, joins the show to talk about his friend and training partner, Craig’s death, as well as the aims of the Craig Fallon Foundation and this years Craig Fallon Cup event

Gavin does an incredible job remembering his friend, and talking about the impact of his death. There are times where this episode could be upsetting as we talk about suicide and mental health.

If you are struggling with your mental health please reach out to someone, whether its your family, friends or your GP. The Samaritans are an organisation who offer , someone to talk to when you’re facing challenging situation, with the aim that fewer people die from suicide. If you are struggling, or in crisis they are available 24 hours a day 365 days per year on 116 123

The podcast is back! Back into it with double Commonwealth medalist Jemima Yeats-Brown joining the show this week. Mima joins us fresh from a weeks training at the Nymburk Olympic training camp, and just days before she heads out to Tbilisi Grand Slam. We talk about injuries, changing weight categories, and getting a last minute call-up for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014. Jemima’s really active on social media, follow her journey on youtube at Jemima YB and on twitter @mima_yb

This week we welcome to the show a man who’s had many roles within performance Judo. A British Champion, Team GB Coach and most recently CEO of Welsh Judo. We talk about his life in the sport, incuding working with Gemma Gibbons on her way to Olympic Silver, coaching Natalie Powell on her way become world no.1 and a double Olympian, as well as his goals for growing welsh Judo.

Really enjoyed the trip down memory lane chatting with Darren, I hope everyone else enjoys listening!