Quarter 3 2025 Highlights from Northampton Judo Academy

The third quarter of 2025 brought a mix of rest, reflection, and renewed energy. With competition schedules easing for the summer, our focus shifted toward refining techniques, strengthening foundations, and preparing for an even stronger finish to the year. From camps and workouts to milestone achievements and dojo improvements, Q3 was all about growth—on and off the tatami.

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Summer Break from Competitions

With most tournaments on hold for the summer, our Judokas dedicated more time to technical training at the dojo. Sessions focused on polishing throws, improving groundwork transitions, and sharpening decision-making. This break from competition allowed everyone to reset, rebuild, and return stronger for the next season.

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3–8 August – John Davies Judo Camp, Scotland

Our judo club was invited by Pro Judo in Glasgow to take part in the John Davies Camp 2025 in Scotland—a week filled with judo (of course!) and plenty of team-building activities. Four of our players joined the adventure, training hard and taking part in challenges beyond the mat.

Between intensive sessions, outdoor games, and shared experiences with players from across the UK, the camp strengthened friendships and boosted confidence. It was a fantastic opportunity to learn, grow, and experience the true spirit of judo within a wider community.

Huge thanks to Pro Judo in Glasgow for inviting us—it was a memorable trip for everyone involved.

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Late July – Our TikTok Surpasses 1,000 Followers

Another exciting milestone—our TikTok community has grown past 1,000 followers!
Behind every video is a lot of hard work capturing the energy, growth, and passion for judo that drives our club.

📲 Follow us here: https://www.tiktok.com/@judoacademynorthampton

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25 August – Bank Holiday Outdoor Workout

Even with the dojo closed for the bank holiday, two of our Judokas took on an outdoor challenge with sensei Matt.They powered through a full conditioning workout in the park, proving that training doesn’t stop when the doors are closed. Determination, consistency, and a desperate grasp for a bit of fresh air—it’s all part of the journey.

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Early September – Expansion of Our Mat Area

As the club continues to grow, so does our dojo. Thanks to generous contributions from our parents, we’ve expanded our mat area with new tatami—allowing us to use the full sports hall space and host larger classes and events in the future.

We’re extremely grateful for everyone who helped make this possible. Your support keeps the club moving forward and ensures we can continue providing a safe, high-quality training environment for all our members.

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6 September – English Closed Judo Championships, London

The new season kicked off with a strong start at the English Closed Judo Championships in London, where Keira represented the club and earned a brilliant silver medal.

This was our first event after the summer break, and with the high standard of competition at this Level 4 national event, the results were especially impressive. Competing at that level demands skill, focus, and composure—and Keira delivered all three.

Her achievement sets an optimistic tone for the rest of the season and motivates our Competitive Squad for the challenges ahead.

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13 September – BJC Regional Championships, Nottingham

Fifteen of our players took on the challenge at the BJC Regional Championships in Nottingham—and what a day it was! For many, it was their first-ever competition, yet they delivered astonishing results and showed incredible spirit throughout.

Under BJC rules, coaches cannot advise during contests, which means our players must rely fully on their training and instincts. They handled it brilliantly, showing independence, confidence, and great composure on the mat.

Even more than the medals, we’re proud of the team spirit our players showed—supporting each other, learning the rules together, stepping out of their comfort zones, making new friends, and cheering for their opponents. That’s the true spirit of judo.

Results (in order of competition):
David – Silver
Daniel – Gold
Oleksii – Silver
Adriano – 5th Place
Luke – Bronze
Freddie – 5th Place
Bertie – Gold
Oscar – Silver
Leo – Bronze
Dima – Silver
Nathan – Bronze
Shiny – Silver
Naguib – Bronze
Agustin – Silver
Patrik – Bronze

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20–21 September – ONST4 Training Camp with GB National Team Members

To round off the quarter, Coach Matt attended the ONST4 Training Camp, joining members of the GB National Team for two intense days of training, including three randori sessions.

The camp was an invaluable experience, bringing insights and ideas that will filter back into our club training.

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Wrapping up Q3 2025

Thanks to our expanded mat space, we’re now planning to introduce monthly randori sessions for our teen and adult members—helping bridge the gap between training and competition.

Across all age groups, we’ve seen impressive progress in technique, coordination, and confidence. The class structure introduced in Q2 continues to work brilliantly, with great feedback from players and parents alike.

A huge thank-you to Pro Judo Glasgow for the camp invitation—it strengthened bonds between our four attending players and gave them lasting memories.

With a summer break behind us, we launched the new competitive season with a bang—fifteen players stepping up at the BJC Championships and showing immerse growth on the competetive event.

Our club continues to grow in size, ambition, and unity. Q3 was about progress, preparation, and pride—and as we move into Q4, we’re excited to celebrate a huge milestone: our first-year anniversary.