Blog: 'A disabled person can be just as good at judo as someone non-disabled'
The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) website features a blog post every Friday through the year.
In 2016 we’ll be taking a look at an A-Z of accessible sporting and fitness opportunities available to disabled people. This week it’s J for Judo, and Connah Anders from Wigan says his sport is perfect for both body and mind.
Read more in the A-Z blog series here.
Connah’s blog:
If you are interested in trying a quite demanding, but very rewarding, physical sport then judo could be for you. It will give you plenty of confidence.
Judo has helped a lot with me and my social life. Everyone is on the same level, no-one is excluded. You are just a person who can do judo, just like anyone else.
You are not isolated on or off the mat – that connection with people means that you’re their equal both within and outside of the sport.
I started judo just over six years ago. I’ve always had an interest in martial arts, and judo was a sport I could compete in.
When you are on the mat competing there is no difference if you’re disabled or non-disabled, other than the fact that my contests start with us in hold. I’m convinced that a visually impaired judoka can be just as good as a sighted person.
To succeed in judo you have to have some aggression, but there are so many different styles. Personally, I feel a lot and I am learning to feel my opponents’ movements more. I am having to learn as my sight continues to deteriorate.
I can play defensively and counteract what my opponents do, but there are times when I can be very aggressive.
Judo is very good exercise, excellent in terms of physical fitness. I do a lot of gym work to supplement my sport. Mentally, it keeps people happy. The British Judo Centre of Excellence in Walsall is full of happy people – there are no miserable so-and-sos. It’s got a great community spirit.
I went to college in Worcester when I was 14, and that’s when I started with judo. I’d heard that it was an accessible sport for someone with a visual impairment, so I attended the Worcester Judo Club.
I have Leber’s congenital amaurosis, a degenerative eye condition which I have had from birth. I have never had a lot of sight, roughly 5%. But I learned to use those few percent, and I was quite active at school even though I have never been able to see so well with my tunnel vision and no peripheral. My sight only started to get worse around Christmas of last year.
I wear a blindfold when I train now. It’s a decision I have made, to get used to having no sight. And actually I’ve done better in the month or so I’ve been wearing it – I’ve been throwing people around all over the place! I am by no means the best and I’m still learning, but I am better than I was.
In the middle of a bout all I can think of is giving my opponent a good hiding. It’s just the way I am! Even if I lose I’m often very happy and I look at what I did right.
Some visually impaired people have worries about being thrown onto the mat. I can only promise that you will get used to it.
Go onto the British Judo Association (BJA) website and find a club on there. See if the people who run it have any experience with disabled participants. I would say that most coaches will know a disabled person can be just as good at judo as someone non-disabled.
Try it, just give it a go, take is slowly and you will improve in time.
Read more in the A-Z blog series here. Image courtesy of Ralf Kuckuck Photography. The British Judo Association (BJA) is the National Governing Body for judo in Great Britain. Find a club and get a free first lesson - visit the website.
