About

Carn Brea Judo Club, a member of the British Judo Council (BJC), was established in 1974 by Tom and Jacky Gray. The club was run from the Carn Brea Leisure Centre located in Pool, Camborne, Cornwall for over 25 years but moved in 1999 into its new premises at the Roskear School in Camborne, Cornwall, due to the leisure centre’s closure.

The club’s sensei’s Jacky (6th Dan) and Tom (5th Dan) Gray are still active in the club’s activities, and well known in both local and national judo circles. Jacky is also current international judo referee and a former assistant coach of the women’s BJC national squad. They are both also former students of sensei John Couch (6th Dan) from St Ives Judo Club.

To date the 39-year-old club has produced an impressive 46 Dan grades and produced countless county, national and international champions. The club is justifiably proud of its history; it’s judoka and their achievements. Every year Tom and Jacky are also involved in organising the yearly St Ives Easter Course (held in Guildhall) that attracts hundreds of players nationwide and numerous international instructors. In 2005 the event saw the current Olympic and World Champion judo player, Kenzo Nakamura, as a guest of honour.

Nakamura, who is the youngest and the most successful of the three Nakamura World Champion judo brothers trains regularly at the Budokwai in London until 2006.

Additionally the event sees regularly the president of the British Judo Council (BJC) Mr Robin Otani and former world champion Jane Bridge (7th Dan) from France. Other top BJC instructors attending regularly are Mr Mealing (7th Dan), Mrs Whyman and Mr John Coles, who are both 6th dans. BJC is a national body for judo in this country. The BJC is recognised by members of the International Judo Federation, the British Olympic Association and the European Judo Union through the British Judo Association (BJA) to which the British Judo Council is affiliated.

Judo means the gentle way:- Ju: gentle, Do: way.

Although there is a large waiting list to join the club, anybody interested joining the club is encouraged to contact the club or pop in on Tuesdays after 3.45pm.