IBF Multi-Nation Judo 2001

International Budo Federation Multi Nation Judo Championships Dalfsen Holland 6th October A Report by IBF General Secretary Keith Costa 2nd Dan Click to enlarge  IBF TEAM On Friday 5th October 35 members of the International Budo Federation travelled to Holland. The team consisted of 17 competitors, officials and family members. This was to take part in the Judo/Karate Multination event held in Dalfsen, hosted by I.B.F Holland. This event is held yearly in a different country, next year 2002 being Poland and the following Great Britain. This event gives children and adults the chance to meet and compete against people from other countries. Thirty members from the different countries held a full international meeting of the congress, which was held on the Friday evening. This discusses any issues arising from past events, rule changes, awards to be given and cementing alliances, Dave Boulding I.B.F Director General Great Britain attended this and Keith Costa who replaced the Brenda Jones General Secretary Great Britain. The event itself pulled in teams from Great Britain, Holland, France, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Italy, Belgium and Russia. There were almost 300 judo players at the event plus 250 karate players.  The team started their journey early on Friday morning travelling by coach to Dover and then by ferry to Calais. They travelled on through France on into Belgium and then stopping just over the border of Holland in a town called Breda.This seemed an appropriate time to stop because everyone’s thoughts were heading towards stretching their legs, also the second was food. Everyone descended into the town most seemed to end up at MacDonald’s (typical English the Dutch have marvellous food yet we use McDonalds). After some sight seeing and shopping it was time to move on to our Youth Hostel in Nijverdal. Once settled in their rooms, some went shopping, yes more shopping, others just relaxed. In the evening most of the kids descended on the pool table and of course the adults had to sample local beverages. Which is somewhat of a tradition and of course we didn’t want to upset the locals. Some sampled a little more than others and then it was early to bed. Travelling to the competition on the Saturday morning was through some beautiful countryside. Once in Dalfsen, although only a small town it had set in the middle a rather classy looking sports centre. Teams had to report in to receive their certificates and from there the weigh in took place. All the fighters then had to line up in their teams for introductions to be made and to be welcomed to the event by the international president George Neiring.The Dutch national anthem was then played, this being that they were the host nation. Team Manager Cath Williams from Nottingham had the task of keeping the kids under control. She was also their coach once fighting, which was a task she performed extremely well. At one time she was darting from mat to mat-keeping check on the fighters. Sometimes this can be an awkward job especially if you do not know the children concerned. But they all seemed to understand her position and looked for guidance. By the end of the day Cath had lost her voice through all the shouting she had done. The only sad part for Cath was on the return journey home, when she had to be told her mother had pasted away. But Cath is a credit to the I.B.F and I am sure this will not deter Cath from coaching in the future. Members of the team included Greg Hughes, Kieron Daniels, Tyrone Daniels, Dean Luckhurst, Alyx Costa, Daniel Diamond, David Diamond, Damian Kelly, Nicole Pear, Margaret Wood, Catrina Outhwaite, Lisa McNeil, Paul Newton, Craig Cooper, Reece Pearce, Gary Watson and Colin Carrott.Some of these put up some devastating displays but all performed extremely well and you couldn’t say anyone didn’t try their hardest. The two seniors Colin and Gary performing very well. Colin in the senior section under 90 kilos, although one of the older fighters in this section he proved not to be taken lightly. Younger fighters were falling by the way side but Colin kept plugging away. He fought his way through to the final, which he lost on a rather spurious decision he scored a Waza-ari with O Uchi Gari, which was reversed because it was said that his opponent had made a counter. Yet Colin made the throw landing on top of his opponent. Colin afterwards took the decision in his stride by putting everything in context stating (it’s a sport not a war). Mind you he did raise a few eyebrows by turning up at the rostrum with a glass of beer in his hand, asked if this was his way of showing contempt at the referee, he made no reply but just smiled. Gary Watson was a surprise on the day and might add gave everyone a few smiles. Gary fought his way through to fight for 3rd place bronze, he certainly has a style all of his own. This was possible the best performance he gave for a long time, for which he received a round of applause afterwards. He only just missed out on the third place but took 4th even with this he seemed very pleased. For many of the children competing, it may have seemed a little daunting with so many people watching, which I might add turned out to be an extremely enjoyable day. The team itself came back with 16 medals / 2 gold / 6 silver /6 bronze/ two 4th places. Full British results for the day are as follows: - GOLD. KIERON DANIELS NICOLE PEAR SILVER. TYRONE DANIELS COLIN CARROTT DAVID DIAMOND DAMIAN KELLY CATRINA OUTHWAITE LISA MCNEIL BRONZE. GREG HUGHES DEAN LUCKHURST ALYX COSTA DANIEL DIAMOND MAGERET WOOD PAUL NEWTON 4TH PLACE BRONZE. GARY WATSON CRAIG COOPER After the championship, this was a time for celebration and of course some celebrated very well. This is the time too when everyone lets their hair down, some celebrating with the locals again forging more alliances and being rewarded with roses. The next morning before the journey home proved who had been celebrating for Great Britain. The journey home, proved to be just as interesting as the previous two days; unfortunately the coach the team were travelling in developed a gearbox problem. This meant it could only travel at 40 m.p.h, all the way through Belgium part of France to Calais. But this still only added about an hour and a half to the journey. The worst was yet to come, as the winds were gale force and the sea rather rough. But whilst this is the lighter side of trips such as these and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and hopefully everybody did. The serious side is that it gives people from the I.B.F the chance to compete in international events such as this, against people from Poland, Germany, and Holland etc. This does not just do the individual player good but does also shows I.B.F Great Britain can hold its own against such strong countries. Once again congratulations to all concerned and good luck at future events.  Next Years Event will be in Poland.