Harry McGuigan - Mr Judo: The gentle art's giant soul. 

A life-affirming conversation with Harry McGuigan, a 7th dan black belt, all of 84 years, still coaching and doing gym work-outs. 

When Harry went to a Judo class in Hong Kong way back in the 1960s, it was to begin a passion he continues all of six decades later.

An introduction to another judoka Brother Lewis in Dungannon saw the formation of the local Ren Bu Kan Judo club that has attracted throngs of participants, with fifty-six going on to attain black belts under Harry's tutelage.

He recalls those first black belts Brian Daly and Patsy Jordan from Eglish, world class Avril Malley and takes pride in everyone who joined the club and won medals at all levels.
 
His own family excelled, with his children and grandchildren competing, as the only family to hold three generations of All Ireland medals.

Harry also had All Ireland success coaching Dungannon Tech GAA team and tells of the 1995 All Ireland senior football final, having breakfast and travelling to the game with the team as his late daughter Seánna RIP was married to captain Ciaran Corr.

There was also Superstar competitions against greats from other sports and the trip to Cuba to enhance his Spanish speaking, where he met his future wife. 

Listening to how Judo instils physical well-being and discipline, RonanMac and producer Oliver wonder if they should have stuck at the Judo, their visits to the Ren Bu Kan club, in the 1970s, all too brief!

Hugely popular, Harry recently received the Mid Ulster Coach of the Year award. 

Among the tributes, the podcast features a poignant poem penned in his honour by Brian McGills, a 4th Dan black belt prodigy of over 30 years.

Harry McGuigan: The gentle art's giant soul.