BJC Open Championships Kettering 2025
What a weekend for Judo Academy Northampton! We took on the challenge at the BJC Open Championships in Kettering and came back proud.
Every single player gave it their all on the mat, showing determination, bravery, and a real hunger to improve. We're thrilled with the results – and equally proud of the attitude and focus throughout the day.
The BJC (British Judo Council) competition format is slightly different from what we’re used to under BJA (British Judo Association) rules. One of the biggest contrasts? No coaching is allowed during the fights. That means once our Judokas stepped onto the mat, they had to rely on their own decision-making, timing, and instincts – all without hearing our voices from the sidelines.
It’s a great test of how well players understand what they've been working on – and they handled it brilliantly.
Some other interesting points about BJC competitions:
- Judging can place a stronger emphasis on traditional values and control, especially during groundwork.
- Matches are often longer, giving players more time to build strategies and work through positions.
- Gripping rules and penalties may be applied with slight variation, which can surprise first-timers – but again, our players adjusted quickly and showed great awareness.
We saw improvements in movement, confidence in gripping exchanges, and smart thinking in transitions.
A special mention goes to Bertie. Though he didn’t medal, finishing 7th in a tough group, his performance was packed with effort, resilience, and courage. These are the competitions where real growth happens, and he’ll come back stronger.
Huge thanks to all the families who supported us on the day. Competitions like this aren’t just about medals – they’re about stepping outside your comfort zone and putting your training to the test. And that’s exactly what our players did.
We’re back to training this week – more inspired than ever!
