Judo in Barbados - The Accomplishments

Written by Super User. Posted in History

In the 1990s, Barbados Judo Association had credible performance from the junior athletes on their outings to countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, and the USA. Several medalist were among the group: Jamal Grosvenor, Ramon Franklyn, Dwayne Fenty, Jomo Lashley, Barry Jackman, Kyle Walcott, Alvin McCollin, Kurt Vidal, Max Oran(most outstanding Junior), Erskine Blenman, Giles Carmichael, Russell Franklyn, Leslie Barker Jr., Ricardo Layne, Leroy Massiah, Corey Hercules, Dyson Benskin, Allan Trotman, David Young, and Ellieno Frazier.

The Barbados Judo Association can be considered ‘small but tallawah’. With a maximum of four active clubs at any given time, the Association has been able tofieldathletesin major senior Judo tournaments at the highest level.

Since 1996, several Judokas have represented Barbados judo at major championships; the Olympic Games, World championships, Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC), Commonwealth Games and Pan- American Games.

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Judo in Barbados - The Leadership

Written by Super User. Posted in History

The Barbados Judo Association governing body, the Executive Committee (EC), consists of a President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer, Sports Director, Referee Director and two Club members from each club as floor members. This group is charged with the responsibility for the control of the sport guided by a constitution. 

The constitution was amended in July of 2013 to bring the Association in line with the International Judo Federation (IJF) system. The Association is now be governed by an Executive Committee (EC).  This EC is led by a President and comprisesa maximum of ten (10) to twelve (12) members, representing the various Clubs.  The members are elected at the same time by the Congress; by way of voting every four (4) years, for a four (4) year term of office. As the President, he will select a General Secretary and a General Treasurer. If the President feels that the tasks to be accomplished by the EC require the addition of a maximum of another two (2) members, the President may appoint one (1) or two (2) additional members after the elections, who shall have voting rights at EC Meetings but whose appointment shall be subject to ratification at the next Congress.

Several presidents have contributed to the development of Judo in Barbados from its inception in 1966. These include: Dr. Teddy Cummins (1966 – 1974), John Brewster (1974-1983), Leslie Barker Sr. (1983 – 1995), Hallam Payne, Roy Davis, Ian Weithers, and Hoskins Caddle (2001- present).

The Association was privileged to have dedicated members serving in various capacities on the Executive: Dr. Teddy Cummins, John Brewster, Harold Bovell, Leslie Barker, Hallam Payne, Roy Davis, Ian Weithers, Hoskins Caddle, Keith Weithers, Keith Boyce, Roslyn Turney, Femi Greene, Clarence Thompson, Lionel Maxwell, Maxine White, William Payne, Richard Pinder, Elvis Coward, Junior Allsopp, Patrick Haynes, Joan Alleyne, Don Benn, Patricia Stuart, Inga Augustus, Brian Peter, Glenroy Murray,  Philip Forde, Therold Fenty, Gaynelle Griffith, Tanya Miller, Renee Ward, Nneka Crichlow, and Charles Atkins.

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Judo in Barbados - The Evolution

Written by Super User. Posted in History

Judo in Barbados dates back to around 1960. Beach goers on Sunday mornings would have seen men practicing this ‘unusual looking ‘sport on the sand. The demonstration of skills including, flexibility, efficiency, balance, movement, strength and timing was directed bythe now deceased Harold ‘Buck’ Bovell. Other famous names associated with this early introduction of Judo to Barbados were Winston Carew, Ashton Dyall, Gladstone Seale, and Darwin Bellamy. They fashioned their skills from books they acquired and trained on a small mat made from bagasse and sawdust. They later moved indoors at Par Green in Chapman’s Lane, Baxter’s Road. Around 1963 the first Dojo “Shindokan” was founded in Youth Town, Tudor Street.

The sport Judo in Barbados made significant progress with the help of Dr. Teddy Cummins, a Barbadian who returned home in 1962 from studying in Canada.  During his time abroad, he was introduced to Judo by Frank Hatashita (5^th Dan) at his club in Toronto and became one of his students.  On his return to Barbados, enthusiastic about Judo, he recognized it was already being practiced on the island albeit at an informal level.  He decided to make his contribution to the further development of the sport. 

With the help the late Victor Bowen, he established the Harrison College Judo Club in 1965. As growth of the sport dictated, he invited a Judo expert from Canada, Mr. Paul Johnston to assist with grading.  His intention was to lift the standard of the sport. During that period Dr. Teddy Cummins and Mr. Paul Johnston established a club at “Speedbird” house Independence square, Bridgetown called the Barbados Judo Institute.  Mr. Paul Johnston conducted the first grading on the island allowing many of the founding group members to attain their various Kyu grades. Following that achievement, Dr. Cummins was successful in bringing the various clubs together under one governing body by establishing the ‘Barbados Judo Association’ in 1966 at ‘Speedbird House’ Independence Square, Bay Street. The Barbados Judo Association then moved to a location next to the Bay Street Fish Market, Browne's Beach and finally to the National Stadium in 1975, where it still exists today. 

Dr. Cummins used his international contacts to assist with the technical development of the sport, by inviting several experts in Judo to Barbados at various times, from places such as Canada, USA and Europe. Among the invitees were Graham Heron (Shodan), Pierre Cannaccini (Nidan), and Professor Nakamura (Schidan). In the interest of the longer term development of the sport on the island, the Association felt that a more permanent solution was necessary.  Mr. Kenneth Freeman (6th Dan), a Canadian, now deceased was invited as a Technical Director, with responsibility for the development of coaches and referees. On occasion he was ably assisted by Mr. Francis Charles from Martinique with the black belt grading. 

Judokas such as Darwin Bellamy, Hoskins Caddle, Harold Bovell, Victor Watson, John Brewster, and Ed Bushell also Dave Lavine, Leslie Barker, Gladstone Seale, Winston Carew and Aston Dyall were among those who attained different levels of black belt under Mr. Freeman’s stewardship. During Mr. Freeman’s involvement with the Association, he founded the Marine Gardens Judo Club (1984). 

During this critical developmental stage, persons like Darwin Bellamy made tremendous efforts at encouraging students to practice the sport. On numerous occasions he could be seen transporting the children to and from training, as well as taking their Gis to be laundered so that they could be clean for the next training session. He was also, responsible for the many demonstration programs at that time. These programs were conducted at various venues on the island like Spencer Plantations, Spring Hall Sugar Factory, in Speighstown and during Crop Over Festivals.

Between 1966 to 1974, Dr Teddy Cummins was the President of the Barbados Judo Association.  During his presidency, he invited a 5th Dan from Canada, Mr. F. Hatashita to conduct clinics for local players. Dr Cummins was also instrumental in forging affiliations with the local Olympic Association, the Caribbean Judo Confederation, the Pan-American Judo Union and the international governing body, the International Judo Federation (IJF). One of the local tournaments was named after him the ‘Teddy Cummins Judo Tournament’ in (2003). He was truly instrumental in changing the landscape of Judo in Barbados.

The second president (1974) of the Barbados Judo Association was Mr. John Brewster (deceased). He was introduced to Judo by Mr. Darwin Bellamy in 1972. Mr. Brewster later became the first local international referee and an International Judo Federation ‘B’ Referee (1976) wearing the pan-American Judo Union Badge. He was also involved in sports administration at the highest level, being a Director of the Barbados Olympic Association from 1982 – 1990. He was the Barbados Olympic Association Treasurer from 1986 – 1990. John Brewster also served as Chef – de – Mission for the Barbados contingent to the Pan-American Games in Caracas (1983) and the Central American and Caribbean Games, Santiago, Dominican Republic (1986). The tournament on the Barbados calendar, ‘John Brewster Grappling’ tournament bears witness to the appreciation for his commitment, dedication and his willingness to share his knowledge and information.

During those early years even though development appeared slow it remained steady. Consequently, the Association was able to prepare athletes to represent Barbados in various countries regionally and internationally. These countries included Martiniqué, Trinidad, Venezuela and Canada. On each occasion the athletes represented Barbados credible even though no major medal was won. However, in 1975, Mr. Gladstone Seale won a gold medal in the open division, in Venezuela at The Caribbean Judo Championship.

As the sport of Judo took shape, many clubs sprung up in various parts on the island. Some of these clubs included: Shindokan Judo Club, Barbados Judo Institute, the Lodge school Judo Club (1975), St. Lucy Secondary School Judo Club (1975), Bushido Judo Club, Bujin Judo Club (1977/78), Savage Judo Club(founder John Brewster 1979), YMCA Judo Club (John Brewster 1978), Harrison College Judo Club, founded by a teacher Valentine Bowen a Judo Expert. Other Clubs such as Marine Gardens Judo Club (1984), Samurai, West Terrace Gardens Judo (founder Roy Davis), Pinelands Judo Club (founder Glenroy Murray), Keikath School of Martial Arts (founder Hoskins Caddle), Rising Sun School of Martial Arts (founder Roy Davis) and Phoenix Judo Club (founder Glenroy Murray).

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Birth of Judo

Written by Super User. Posted in History

Judo as we know it today was born from the ancient Japanese art of Ju-Jitsu. This ancient Japanese art applied principles of leverage against force, redirection of an opponent’s energy and harmony of motion. It consists of throws, holds, chokes, joint locks and grappling. Between the twelfth and the nineteenth century Japan was ruled by the Samurai, a class of professional soldiers who in addition to fighting with swords and bows and arrows, developed jujitsu to fight enemies at close quarters on the battle field.

Professor Jigoro Kano (1860-1938), one of Japan’s leading educators and long time student of Jujitsu, being alarmed with the mental and moral fibre of Japan’s youth, decided to modify Jujitsu to a form of a sport with a high standard of physical and mental discipline. In order to ensure that Judo would benefit all people, whether as a sport, study or hobby, he based it on two principles.  SEIRYOKU SEN’ YO – Maximum efficiency with minimum effort and JITA KYOEI –mutual welfare and benefit for all.

These principles stressed the flexibility and suppleness of mind and body necessary for the practice of judo. They are exemplified by ‘JU’, the Japanese word for gentle and yielding, and ‘DO’, the way or method; thus the origin of the word Judo.  The place where Judo is taught and practiced is called a "Dojo”. Indirectly translated from the Japanese language, it means “hall of the temple” – gymnasium. Judo instructors consider the Dojo a place of dignity and cleanliness.  Since Judo is a truly contact sport which includes throwing, grappling, choking arm-locks and: atemi waza” (assaulting technique), rules and regulations are rigidly enforced to ensure sporting harmony. All well-organized Dojo are run according to rules – these rules must be learned and carried out universally. One of the most important and practical reasons for Dojo rules and Judo etiquette is safety. Safety precautions are never to be apologized for. It must be stressed that everything done in a Dojo is based on “safety first”.

Strict adherence to Dojo rules and regulations is the cornerstone for efficiency in the sport; and it provides the basis for courtesy and respect. Courtesy is the mark of a well trained Judo student and although it begins in the Dojo, it must continue as a part of the student’s daily routines. Courtesy should never be thought of as something that is merely applicable during Dojo hours.

Judo was introduced to the Olympic Games in 1932, in an informal demonstration hosted by Professor Kano. Professor Kano passed away in 1938, and it was not until 26 years later, in 1964, that Judo was introduced as an Olympic sport for men.  Women were only allowed to compete at Olympic levels in 1992, but Judo became a Paralympics sport in 1988.  Judo is now practiced in over two hundred countries by millions of people of various age, race and religious influence.

Judokas wear white uniforms called Judogi abbreviated as "Gi".  The Judogi was introduced by Kano, with the thinking that white depicted the values of purity, avoidance of ego, and simplicity, where everyone is stripped of their social class – all judokas begin as equals.  The Judogi comprises a heavy cotton kimono-like jacket called an uwagi (jacket), similar to traditional hanten (workers jackets) fastened by an obi (belt), coloured to indicate rank, and worn over a cotton draw-string zubon (trousers).

The development and understanding of the art is symbolized by a system of ranks introduced by Professor Jigoro Kano, in 1883.  The Judo ranking system is divided into Kyu and Dan grades, each depicted by a different color belt (obi). The Kyu grades are represented by various coloured belts; white, yellow, orange, green, blue and brown. The level of Dan grades (black belt) indicates a student has attained a higher level of competence. There are ten degrees of black belt; Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yodan, Godan, Rokudan, Shichidan, Hachidan, Kudan and Judan- Kodokan respectively.

The modern use of the blue judogi for high level competition was first introduced around 1986.  With one competitor wearing a blue judogi, it was easier for the judges, referees, and spectators to distinguish between the two competitors. It is also used for convenience in minor competitions, but is only mandatory at the regional or higher levels, depending on organization.

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