Clubs

Judo

The University of Galway Judo Club was founded in 1965. We are the oldest and most successful martial arts club at the University of Galway. We are a team of a mix of experienced and beginner judokas.

Judo is a modern martial art and combat Olympic sport. It is one of the most popular martial arts in the world. Judo is a martial art based around throwing and submitting your opponent. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an opponent to submit by joint locking or by executing a strangle hold or choke. Strikes and thrusts by hands and feet as well as weapons defences are a part of judo, but only in pre-arranged forms (kata) and are not allowed in judo competition or free practice (randori).
NUI Galway Judo Club was founded in 1965. We are the oldest and most successful martial arts club in NUI Galway. We have won over 20 intervarsities team titles in both Men's and Women's events.
 
Committee 2023/2024

Why Join Judo? (According to past students)

"I started judo in my 2nd year of university. I was instantly welcomed when I joined my first class. University of Galway Judo Club is a place where you can become fit, make friends and learn how to protect yourself. There's something for everyone: whether it's representing your university at national and international level or being a committee member! Both of which are a great addition to any CV. I got my first job thanks to the connections I made through judo. It's more than just a sport!

Some of my achievements include:

3 x All Ireland Judo University Champion,

2 x University of Galway Individual Sports Award Winner

University of Galway Club Captain 2012-2013"

 

 - Darren Friel                       

 

 

"One of the best choices I made during my year abroad at University of Galway was to join the Judo club. I really enjoyed my time with these great folks and hope to see them again in future. Even though I've never done this type of martial arts before, I felt comfortable learning and trying new things in a safe environment. Normally Erasmus students mostly stay with other Erasmus, but through these Irish lads I got to experience real Irish craziness and way of living. Not to mention our great training including birthday throws but also taking part in the annual Judo Intervarsities. As a woman I can say this sport is a great way to gain confidence. They plan on a lot of activities even outside of training like trips, hikes and so on. Never would I have thought that I be doing a survival hike in bad weather conditions, but once they set their mind on something they are determined to do it even when exposed to wind and weather. I really am sad that I only got to know the Judo Club in the Second Semester but in that short time, I experienced so much. Intervarsities, Irish cancer walk, hike, get together after training.

 

I want to say thank you guys for making my year abroad unforgettable! I miss training with you. Hope you guys are doing great. Even if not for joining this fun club, I can highly recommend not to miss out on joining a club or society. You will not regret having a fantastic year!"

 

- Nora Ma, Erasmus 2015/16

 

"I joined the Judo club in my first year of college. I immediately got taken in and met new friends. We didn't only travel to get to competitions all over the country but also had a lot of fun on surfing and hiking trips. Judo is an amazing sport and full of amazing people that are easy to connect with. I was new to Judo but learned and achieved a lot throughout my time there. Everyone was super welcoming and supportive and I'm glad I was a part of the Judo Club."

 

-Sarah Muth, International Student 2017-20

"Why join judo?". My first answer would be: because judo is a great sport. It is a martial art that teaches you how to defend yourself, but also it teaches you respect and how to give the best out of yourself. Respect, friendship, courage, honour and self-control are part of its moral code (among other virtues). Judo helped me a lot, it made me who I am, and it made me meet some truly amazing people and it also made me travel (for the competition).
 
My second answer would be: join University of Galway judo club, because it's a good club, you're going to feel supported and be part of a team. As an international student, I am thankful to University of Galway because I met my friends at the judo club. I was a black belt when I arrived, and I had the chance to teach judo sometimes and this experience was a gift: I taught, but I learned a lot at the same time. Thank you everybody, for your friendship and your trust!  PS: you can access the sauna, you can add that to the pros!"

- Michaud, Erasmus 2018/2019 

History

The University of Galway Judo Club was founded in 1965. We are the oldest and most successful martial arts club in the university. We have won over 20 intervarsities team titles in both Men's and Women's events. Most recently the 2020 Intervarsities held in the University of Galway, Ireland. 

In 2015 we won the most amount of medals we also retained our Mens team title and our third place womens title! 

We held a very successful intervarsities in Galway Kingfisher Club in 2020, we here again won the most amount of medals and took home the Mens and Ladies team title. 

Achievements

2019 / 2020  Achievements -

 

      20^th October 2019

Club attended Grading in Dublin. 2 members were awarded their Dan grades with one member achieved Brown belt.

1st time in history of club that 2 Batsuguns achieved in one day

Club had 17 contests - 16 wins and 1 draw. 

 

·         2^nd November 2019

Club attended the Munster Open, Colaiste Chriost Rí, Capwell Road, Cork.

Ctook 3 Medals - 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze.

 

·         17^th November 2019

Club attended the Connacht Championships, Renmore, Galway.

Member achieved Blue Belt.

Club took 7 Medals - 4 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze.

 

·         23^rd November 2019

 North West International Open, Derry.

Club took 6 Medals - 3 Gold, 2 Silver, 3 Bronze.

 

·         6^th December 2019

Club attended the All Ireland Senior Championships, National Arena.

Club took 3 Medals - 1 Silver, 2 Bronze.

 

·         22^nd February 2020

All Ireland University Judo Championships hosted by NUIG Judo Club.   

Club took 23 Medals - 6 Gold, 5 Silver, 12 Bronze + Ladies Team Gold, Mens Team Gold & Throw of the Day + Mens Open.

·         7^th March 2020

Club attended the Galway Open           

Club took 5 Medals - 2 Gold, 3 Bronze & Creaven Cup.

2014 / 2015  Achievements - 

·         4^th of October 2014

Club attended Grading in Dublin.2 members were awarded their Dan grades. 

·         29^th November 2014 

Club attended the North West Open.

·         7^th December 2014

Connacht Championships hosted in Knocknacarra. 

Club took 8 Medals - 5 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze.

·         1^st February 2015 

All Irelands held in Renmore. 

Club Captain, Stephen Bradshaw was the only competitior from NUIG and took Gold in his category. 

·         14^th February 2015 

All Ireland University Championships 2015, hosted by UCC Judo Club.

Club took home 20 medals - 6 Gold , 4 Silver and 10 Bronze, also winning first in the Mens Team Event and third in the Womens Team event.

·         7^th March 2015

 

Galway Open, hosted by Galway Judo Club. 

3 silvers won by NUIG.

 

2009/2010 Achievements -

·         CUSAI Intervarsities of the year award 2009/2010.

Meetings

Monday: 8.15-10 (All Levels)

Wednesday: 6-8 (All Levels)

Location: Kingfisher Sports Complex, Hall 3

Contact Us

Contact us @uogjudo on Instagram

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