19 days ago
Congratulations to all those who competed for their Dan grade promotion today at the Budokwai! #judo #judoka #DanGrade #judograding #Budokwai #TheBudokwai
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24 days ago
Happy Earth Day!
Update on GK's tree...
The original tree, planted in honour of the Father of British Judo and founder of The Budokwai Gunji Koizumi, deteriorated and died during lockdown. With assistance from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the Budokwai's Ian Miller and Peter Blewett, another was planted in its place.
We are thrilled to report that it is thriving in the sunken garden at Ropers Gardens, Chelsea. It is a tranquil spot, just off the Embankment and banks of the River Thames.
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Did you know that our logo is inspired by a cherry blossom tree and the stylised kanji
Update on GK's tree...
The original tree, planted in honour of the Father of British Judo and founder of The Budokwai Gunji Koizumi, deteriorated and died during lockdown. With assistance from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the Budokwai's Ian Miller and Peter Blewett, another was planted in its place.
We are thrilled to report that it is thriving in the sunken garden at Ropers Gardens, Chelsea. It is a tranquil spot, just off the Embankment and banks of the River Thames.
🌳
Did you know that our logo is inspired by a cherry blossom tree and the stylised kanji
24 days ago
We are looking forward to another exciting Bill Nobbs Memorial Team Event 2024. The following clubs have already entered teams for Sat 4th May & more to follow:
The Budokwai
Bishops Stortford Judokwai
Bradley Stoke Judo Club
Core Judo
High Wycombe Judo Centre
Kangei Judo Club
Oxford Judo, Oxford University
Pinewood Judo Club
University of Warwick Judo
The Budokwai
Bishops Stortford Judokwai
Bradley Stoke Judo Club
Core Judo
High Wycombe Judo Centre
Kangei Judo Club
Oxford Judo, Oxford University
Pinewood Judo Club
University of Warwick Judo
26 days ago
Thank you to the telegraph for visiting The Budokwai this week to learn how Judo can inform self-defence with our Chairman and Chief Instructor peterblewett #judo #selfdefence #Budokwai #TheBudokwai #FightOrFlight
1 month ago
Safe travels and good luck to the Budokwai team in New York!
We can't wait! #judo #judoka #NewYorkOpen #NewYorkAthleticClub #Budokwai #TheBudokwai #NewYork
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We can't wait! #judo #judoka #NewYorkOpen #NewYorkAthleticClub #Budokwai #TheBudokwai #NewYork
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1 month ago
Excited for the start of Autumn term tomorrow and welcoming back our youngest Budokwai members! #TheBudokwai #Budokwai #BabiesAndToddlers #JudoGym #BudokwaiArt Mini and Midi #judo Junior Judo and #karate
1 month ago
📖Dates for your diary...
September: Aleksander Kukolj - Masterclasses
Thursday 7th - 6.30pm, 7.30pm, Friday 8th - 8pm, Saturday 9th - 3.30pm, 4.30pm, Sunday 10th - 9.30am.
Aleksander Kukolj: 2017 - Gold - European Championships, 2016 - Gold - Grand Slam - Tokyo, 2016 - Gold - Grand Slam - Abu Dhabi
Eniko Suto - Stretch Sunday
Sunday 10th - 2pm - 4pm
Eniko Suto (our Yoga Teacher) will be running a Stretch Breathing and Mobility class for Martial Artists.
Free for Budokwai Members, £10 for Non Members.
October: Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki, world champion will be visiting Roberto Almeida's c
September: Aleksander Kukolj - Masterclasses
Thursday 7th - 6.30pm, 7.30pm, Friday 8th - 8pm, Saturday 9th - 3.30pm, 4.30pm, Sunday 10th - 9.30am.
Aleksander Kukolj: 2017 - Gold - European Championships, 2016 - Gold - Grand Slam - Tokyo, 2016 - Gold - Grand Slam - Abu Dhabi
Eniko Suto - Stretch Sunday
Sunday 10th - 2pm - 4pm
Eniko Suto (our Yoga Teacher) will be running a Stretch Breathing and Mobility class for Martial Artists.
Free for Budokwai Members, £10 for Non Members.
October: Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki, world champion will be visiting Roberto Almeida's c
1 month ago
Ten competitors from seven different Clubs, three completed lineups, and one achieved through points! Four others passed their theory for 1st Dan. Congratulations to all!
1 month ago
Thank you to everyone who came to the final Judo grading of the year. Gradings in 2024 will occur on the final Sunday of each month except August and December. #judo #judoka #Budokwai #TheBudokwai #martialarts
1 month ago
The incredible Ben Levy!
Canada, November 2023.
Montreal PanAmerican cup – 5th place Juniors
Montreal PanAmerican cup – Bronze Seniors
Canada, November 2023.
Montreal PanAmerican cup – 5th place Juniors
Montreal PanAmerican cup – Bronze Seniors
1 month ago
Fantastic results from the Core Tournament. Sophia, Rayyan, Hamed, George all gold, Timur silver and Arial and Arthur bronze! Wonderful judo! Thank you David Mesa Rey 🥋
1 month ago
Yesterday we said goodbye to a dear, dear friend. Alfie Gayle.
Obituary below by John Goodbody.

Alfie Gayle, who has died aged 85, was a fixture at The Budokwai for almost 60 years, seemingly as ever-present in the dojo as the pictures on the wall. Renowned for his limpet grip, his relentless fighting spirit and constant determination, he was still practising at the club until few weeks ago. His kosotogari was renowned. As Neil Adams, the 1981 world champion, said:"He could throw almost anyone with it." And he proved this true time after time. Tony Sweeney, the club President, recalls t
Obituary below by John Goodbody.

Alfie Gayle, who has died aged 85, was a fixture at The Budokwai for almost 60 years, seemingly as ever-present in the dojo as the pictures on the wall. Renowned for his limpet grip, his relentless fighting spirit and constant determination, he was still practising at the club until few weeks ago. His kosotogari was renowned. As Neil Adams, the 1981 world champion, said:"He could throw almost anyone with it." And he proved this true time after time. Tony Sweeney, the club President, recalls t
1 month ago
We hope you are all enjoying the festive season. Thank you to all our members and visitors who have made 2023 a great year at The Budokwai. Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy and successful New Year in 2024.
The Club will open on Tuesday 2nd.
🥋🎆🥋 #HappyNewYear #TheBudokwai #Budokwai #trainhardfighteasy #2024
The Club will open on Tuesday 2nd.
🥋🎆🥋 #HappyNewYear #TheBudokwai #Budokwai #trainhardfighteasy #2024
1 month ago
2023 ended on a high!
4 golds, a silver and 2 bronze medals.
Core Tournament, London.
We look forward to all the successes and lessons to come in 2024
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4 golds, a silver and 2 bronze medals.
Core Tournament, London.
We look forward to all the successes and lessons to come in 2024
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1 month ago
1 month ago
The Budokwai is the oldest Japanese martial arts club in Europe, and in recent days, was honoured to welcome in the recently retired two-time Olympic champion, ONO Shohei. As part of his journey in the UK, he was embraced by the Budokwai members and chairman of the club, 7th Dan, Peter BLEWETT. Of c...
1 month ago
Happy birthday to us! The Budokwai was opened by Gunji Koizumi on 26th January 1918 on the original site at Lower Grosvenor Place. #TheBudokwai #Budokwai #Birthday
1 month ago
1 month ago
Thank you Tomasz Kowalski for leading a great session at the Budokwai this evening!
1 month ago