SMAC Timetable 2015

New Timetable 2015

SMAC 

Judo/Karate/MMA/Sport Sambo

Monday

 7-8pm Basic Senior Judo

8pm Sport Sambo

Tuesday

6pm Judo 5,6,7 years

7pm Judo 8 years to 14 years

8.15-10pm contest training Senior

Judo/Sambo

Wednesday

6.30pm Junior Sambo

7.30-9pm MMA

Thursday 

6.30 Junior Judo

7.30-9pm contest training Senior

 Judo/Sambo

Friday 

7.30-9pm Family Judo

Saturday

10.30am Junior Shotokan Karate.

1.30pm Senior Kyokushinkai Karate 

More on Germany Listening to the Bells

I apologise for using this KentCombat Blog for some reason I can't log in to my Personal Thoughts in Germany

Well today is Sunday the best day so far at The Christmas Market not so many people about and you can see the Market much better. This is a proper German Christmas market not like those ridiculous ones in the UK see a few more photos.

Another thing about Germany they still treat Sunday as Christian day of worship and a day of the family, some bars and Restaurant are open but all shops are closed. Compare that with the UK where all we think about is materialistic issues we are becoming a selfish secular society . The Church Bells are ringing when was the last time you heard Church Bells in the UK if you did someone will complain that they are to noisy or are offending Muslims. Although I am against immigration in general, those Polish  who came here have been Catholic and have high moral standards, maybe their children who will be true Brits will bring some sort of moral dimension to a immoral, selfish,  corrupt UK Society

Christmas Eve Club/Dortmund Christmas Market

Christmas Eve Club AGM

Taste of Portugal 1pm

All welcome to celebrate Christmas with Martin and the Christmas Eve Club

DORTMUND GERMANY 

CHRISTMAS MARKET 2014

Val and myself travelled to Dortmund for 3 days to see one of the best Christmas Markets in Germany the Christmas Tree is supposed to be the largest in the World as it is made up of lots of smaller Christmas Trees. The Market is certainty one the best I have ever seen and is worth a visit. 

The only complaint is that there is so many people that it is a fight to get in a Bar or one of the GluWine stalls and by 10pm you have a lot of youths screaming and shouting because the amount of alcohol consumed. This went on to the early hours they were not the yobs we see in the UK but just a group of School kids, I was in Germany every Summer when I was at School visiting my Grandparents and this type of behaviour would never been accepted. The standard of behaviour, good manners and morality has changed for the worse through out the West

On the Saturday we visited my Mothers home town Witten-Annen was this a nostalgic trip? NO it was because Val wanted to go to the Aldi and Lidl. Stuff is so cheap here Vodka £4.20, Wine £1.50 so you can imagine my car is full. Just one other thing the Graffiti in Germany is the worst I have even seen it even private houses are attacked. Well tonight Val intends buying Christmas sweets, I have been a naughty boy as I diabetic I have to be careful what I eat but I could not resist just one German Cake my first cake in 18 months.

End to a perfect year

Young Judo Club/Warriors Grappling Academy
Last Night of Training for 2014

One hour of Fitness from Judo/Sambo Players

The Presidents Cup has seen a great interest in Sambo which we think will improve next year. Martin Clarke will return to Coaching Sport Sambo on a Monday


It has been an amazing year for the club with over 3300 people through the door doing Judo, Sambo and MMA and the club producing 4 British Champions, 2 Commonwealth champions and a President Cup Silver medal along with 6 dan grades.
Club coach John Clarke who is also the National Sambo coach said what a year it's been and next year is going to be even better. Watch this space.
New Timetable next year for Adults.
Mon 7-8pm basic Judo
8pm Sport Sambo
Tuesday 8.15-10pm contest training judo/Sambo
Weds 7.30-9pm MMA
Thurs 7.30-9pm contest training Judo/Sambo
Friday 7.30-9pm Family Judo
Sat 12.30-2.30 Karate.

World Cadets Day 2

Day 2 World Cadet Championships Cyprus

Cyprus is the ideal place for a competition in December the temperature is 74 F and it is sunny, prices are cheap. Val and the boys are even in the out door pool and sea cannot be better except all drivers including Coach drivers are on the phone and the flies are every where

Day 2 saw Brendan Springett and Fergus Hamilton in action once again our boys lost there first fight and this time their opponent never went through to the final so all that way to sunny Cypress for just one fight. Brendan fought Akhmet from Kazakhstan and eventually went out after a hard fight on an armlock, Fergus once again fought hard but lost to Frenchman Elio on points

The standard as I have said was unbelievable and the one thing we have learnt is that training just once or twice a week will not get you International acclaim and you need to have a strict Sambo lesson. We in GB are inclined to mix our Grappling Sports and this does not perfect Sambo Techniques. Sports like Judo, BJJ are far to restrictive in what you can and can't do. That is why I am starting a Sambo Class on a Monday in the New Year if I get enough interest.

This year the BSF had enough funds to pay for the 3 fighters this will not happen next year. So in future competitors will have to pay their own way but we have a lot of time to save and next year a lot of the tournaments are in reasonable priced Countries with regard to travel costs. Europeans in May Zagreb Croatia, November World Senior Casablanca, World Cadets December Bulgaria, World Masters October Israel So if you want to compete for GB you have to enter the British Open

World Cadet day 1

World Cadets Sambo Championships 2014 

Day One

Cyprus

This was the first time in over 20 years that the BSF have sent a British Team to the World Cadets Championships the last time we participated FIAS was a lot smaller and the Cadets etc were included in the main World Championships. Our team consisted of Fighters Richard Seaman, Fergus Hamilton, Brandon Springett, Mick Seaman Manager, Martin Clarke BSF President, Valerie Clarke BSF Hon President.

The flight to Cyprus was no problem and getting through Customs was a joy from leaving the plane till we were in the Taxi 20 minutes that has to be a record then an hour drive from Pathos to Limassol, the hotel Navarria was excellent, food was good but the room did not meet Valeries standards (nearly a Sharon moment), The Spiros Kyprianou Stadium was very big and excellent but sadly very few spectators. As per usual the Coach trip to the venue was horrendous

The standard of the competition was excellent and as expected dominated by the Eastern Europeans. I have never seen 15/16 years old of this standard in either Sambo, Judo and Wrestling, we in the UK have a long way to go and this is why this competition was so very important to attend. It was a learning curve for myself and the boys.

Richard Blue

Our First and only fighter on day 1 was Richard Seaman his match was against Apanasevich from Belarus. Richard made the mistake of trying fight him like Judoka, where you feel your fighter out first, this is not what happens in Sambo. Samboist have much larger range of techniques in their arsenal and come out all guns blazing he defeated Richard with a leglock His opponent got to the final so Richard has chance of a Bronze and his opponent was Amaandeldi from Kazikstan although Richard lost this the fight but it went nearly the whole distance, Martin told him to take the fight to his opponent and this he done making many attacks, twisting out of throws and escaping armlocks he eventually lost 12 pt to 0 . This was not a disgrace he fought like a Sambo Player and with a liitle more experience will become a potential International Medallist
Day 2 to follow 

Going Home

At long last I am on my way home from Japan not going to be pleasant, had to leave our room at 11am and go to aeroport. Can not put cases in till 6pm as flight leaves at 9.15pm then 8 hour flight to Dubai, 4 hours at Dubai then 6 hour flight to Gatwick by the time I get home to dear old blighty I will have been travelling for 30 hours. The business class seats are good but they never make anything to fit men my size, so the likely hood of me sleeping for any length of time is remote.

GOING HOME

Was the trip worth the effort Yes I think so would I do it again definitely NO. The Japanese people are very polite but communication has been extremely hard, harder then any where I have been in the world. Japanese are in the main very slim and healthy looking there diet is a lot to do with that. The Country is scrupulous clean and you do not get the low life as we do in UK. I never saw any druggies, drunks, misfits, chavs and any teenage mothers in fact most children were accompanied by both parents. You were never pestered by beggars charity collectors every one dressed smartly although there was a separate dress code for the young. As for prices we were warned it was very expensive well we did not find that in fact everything was on par with the UK with the a exception to cameras, TV etc these were sometimes 30% cheaper. It was a great experience but I will be glad to be home in the bosom of my good lady wife Valerie 

Japan Good and Bad

Tomorrow we fly back home can't say I am sorry to go, been high and lows. The Hotel was OK but miles away from any were like any Aeroport Hotel better transport should have been laid on. Tokyo as I mentioned was a disaster and the language barrier has been the worst have ever encountered, maybe you do not expect the general public to understand English but an International Hotel you take ii for granted they would be fluent.
The highs were the excellent run World Sambo Championship, old Narita town where the Temple was this was what we expected of Japan and its traditions. Here nearly all the shop keepers spoke english, myself and Russell visited the place 3 times. Today it was pouring with rain but we got into a taxi to visit a traditional restaurant you can see details on the movie clip. Lastly the food was excellent I have put some photographs so you get some idea of the food.

Click Link
http://youtu.be/YoNScWD7bBw

Menu for you to study

Sushi

Tempura

Ginger Chicken with Sticky Rice

These were pickled fish 1/2 the size of a Gold Fish they were delicious

Clear Soup not sure what the round things are but tasted alright

Russell Made a Friend

British Open 2015

BRITISH OPEN 2015

SPORT SAMBO & COMBAT SAMBO

BEDFORD

SATURDAY MARCH 28th 2015

This Years Worlds will be in Casablanca November  Europeans in Croatia May which are affordable destination for our British Team. The team will be selected from the British Open Results. There also maybe another Presidents Cup in the UK in 2015

The event will be for Sport Sambo 

Children 8 years to 11 years-12 years to 15 years

Intermediate 16 years to 18 years

Senior Men and Women

Veteran Men and Women

Combat Sambo Senior Men 18 years and above

There are other Internationals in Belgium and Holland in March plus competitions in Germany and France. All members of BSF Associations are welcome to take part

Last Day of Worlds

Last Day of Worlds in Japan next year Morocco 

Barry and Matt warm up

Last day of the World Championships in Narita Japan and our hopes of a medal were pinned on Matt Clempner in the U90k Combat Sambo. His first match was against Libebe (FRA) who has medalled at several World Tournaments and is rated in the top 4 in the World. Matt a previous World Sport Sambo Bronze Medallist tactics were to take the fight to the Frenchman to get in close and use his throwing skills to the best of his ability. The Frenchman countered his attack with a superb 4 pt throw, Matt eventually lost by 12 pts. His next fight was against Japan this fighter was a major worry to us as he only lost to the Frenchman by just 1pt but Matt surprise us all be annihilating him by 12 clear points. The Bronze medal fight of was against Uzbek sadly Matt was well beaten he was caught with a 4 pt throw, held down for a further 4 pts and then was picked up of the floor and thrown with another 4 pts to finish the contest. This last throw proved somewhat controversial with Barry Gibson and Russell Dodds who attended a referees seminar in Russia in October 2013, they were told this manoeuvre was to be disallowed, another rule change that has crept in was on the Hold downs. In the past if hold was given the time could pass the Match Time this has now changed and the Hold time must be in the allotted time zone of the match.

This years Worlds were once again of the Highest standard but it was good to see other countries outside the Eastern Block getting into the medals, shows the sport is growing. Of course there were a few moans, There was no end of Worlds Banquet something we have come to expect and the teams were spread through 4 hotels which did not let all participants to gather together on a social side where you create a bonding something I feel is important. The equipment checks were not 100% I saw players with White Gloves and Robin saw someone with either Black or very dark blue shorts, to some this maybe a minor problem but I do not think so as rules should be adhered, Yet after all that the Tournament was well run without any hiccups and the Japanese Sambo Federation should be congratulated for that

I was somewhat disappointed with Japan as I had this idea of seeing lots of traditional houses and people in traditional dress but Japan is a modern Western Country so the past become a museum piece. Tokyo is a modern city and all cities now look the same throughout the world

The food was excellent in Japan as you can see how Russell shows of using Chopsticks, I used fingers and Robin's cousin  must have used a shovel or he is training to be a Sumo Wrestler

Ladies attending a Wedding at the Hotel. What I expected of Japan

Visit to Kodokan what a waste of time

Today we decided to miss the World Sambo and visit the Kodokan in Tokyo the birthplace of Judo and what a mistake that was. A one way Taxi fare was £180 so we decide to go by Train the cheaper option but was a palaver changing trains took 2- 5 hours to get to the Kodokan.

What a disappointment that was it was just like an Office Building and the Dojo was big but had no Character, there is more character and a sense of History at London's BudoKai and my own Dojo.

Kano's Statue

The saving grace was they had a Kata competition in progress with many high grades present I have included the Ju No Kata demonstrated by two high grade Ladies. The journey back was even worse 3.5 hours, the trip was a waste of time and money should have stopped at the World Sambo Championships.

http://youtu.be/mNS4-lkZ6YI


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World Championships Start

The World Championships have started and have to admit am some what disappointed with the Venue after being spoilt with last Years Worlds in St Petersburg and the Presidents Cup in Dartford. The location is a large stadium outside the town and its refreshment area are a few burger vans outside the building.

Opening Ceremony for all these competitions are in the evening of the first day of competition always found that strange calling it an Opening Ceremony. This year we had a traditional drum opening on the drums, I found this to be quite a unique experience the effort put into this by the drummers was quite extraordinary, this was followed up by lots of boring speeches by the various dignitaries. Eventually we got to the first day of the finals .

This years I believe there was over 90 countries competing and was quite amazed to meet some representatives from Afghanistan, it seems that there must be an improvement in that country if people are beginning to participate in International events. The competition standard get higher every year and I think the overall results will show some interesting places from countries not always associated with Sambo.

Our only fighter from GB was Barry Gibson and his fight lasted just 15 seconds, he was competing in the u100k Combat Sambo class and was matched against a Ukrainian fighter. Barry is the current Commonwealth Champions in this weight and at 40 was to have this as his last competition. You only have to look at his Facebook to see that he was in excellent physical condition. So what happened?  Instead of the normal start to this fights where the fighters try and feel each other out, Barry and his opponent got straight into the action. Barry made a round house kick to his opponents leg and at the same tine the Ukrainian smashed into Barry's supporting leg, this took Barry to the floor . The referee in my opinion gave the right score of 2 points but was over ridden by the all powerful Mat Chairman who gave a Total Victory to the Ukrainian much to the disgust of Barry and the audience even his opponent put his hands up on disbelief. Showing great sportsmanship the Ukrainian went over to apologise and through an interpreter said he did not want to win on such a spurious decision

Let me explain what the Total Victory is in Sambo which a sport based on true Combat, the logic is if you are on your back on a battle field and your opponent remains standing you are a dead man. So in Sport Sambo if you throw or trip your opponent on to their back and remain standing you get a Total Victory. The Rules of Combat Sambo apply but as you can kick and punch it adds another dimension to the discipline for example if you can kick your opponents legs away and he lands on his back you get a Total Victory but his was "my opinion" not the case in Barry's situation his was more of a stumble to the ground there was no clear big throw and bang but the all powerful Mat chairman saw ii differently. Sometimes the Mat Chairman should awe to caution these players had travelled thousands of miles and at extreme cost, to lose on a very debatable decision into just seconds of a fight is deplorable. The Ukrainian lost the next round so Barry was out of the tournament, I hope this explains what happened and Barry is not judged to harshly. Sunday we see Matt Clempner in the Combat Sambo u90k class

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