Player of the Month

Danny Broughton 1^st dan

It's 26 years

My brother and his friend started judo at Coventry Judo Club first. I kept making fun out of them for the first month until they persuaded me to try it for myself! I took to judo straight away and realised I'd found the sport for me.

I train at Coventry and Solihull Judo Clubs.

On Tuesdays and Saturdays I go to Coventry and on Fridays I train at Solihull. I also do mountain biking for general fitness and stamina. I cycle in the Welland Valley, Leicestershire and have entered a few novice races.

I prefer O-soto-Gari, Harai-Goshi, Uchi-Mata and Sasae-Tsuri-Komi-Ashi. I prefer standing judo. I tend to put up a good defence on the ground.

When I started judo Ron Knight was on the British Squad and I thought his judo was great. I still use techniques I was shown all those many years ago! Neil Adams is another player who has had an influence on me. I think his ability to focus on what he is doing is tremendous. Bruce Newcombe was my coach when I started training and he more than anyone knows my judo. I've also learnt a lot from Clive Douglas who has an effective way of coaching. He tells you something and it always sinks in!

I started judo in 1977. I flew up the ranks holding only three kyu grades before I got my dan grade. I got my first medals in 1979; bronze in The Keiler Woche Turnier, came 4^th in the British Closed Championships and got gold in the Invitational International event at Haden Hill Leisure Centre. Unfortunately, a serious knee injury put a stop to my competitive career in the early 80's. Now I'm back again with a vengeance and have entered a number of Masters events! In 2000 I won silver in the British Masters and the following year I won bronze. I achieved bronze at the World Masters in Northern Ireland in 2002 and recently I won gold in the Welsh Masters Championships.

It's being the only British competitor on the podium in my weight category (+100kg) when winning bronze in the World Masters in Northern Ireland last year.

I also went from 2^nd kyu to 1^st dan in one day. I had eight fights, winning seven by ippon. This means that I was 2^nd kyu for 20 years and a 1^st kyu for twenty minutes!

I fight both right and left handed and often change during bouts. The rest is good quality training, good coaching and lots of hard work! I live in Leicestershire and have to travel some distance to get to training. The 92 mile round trip to Solihull is worth it. The atmosphere at the club is great and you always have a good training session. At Coventry there is also a great history of competitive judo which I am keen to continue. The two clubs train slightly differently but both are great fun.

I think heavy weight judo is different. If you are not careful you can get away with bad techniques if you rely too much on your weight and strength. I'm always trying to stop other heavy weights from falling into that trap. Finding suitable training partners at club level can also be a bit of a problem. Being 126 kg, it's also useful to be able to tell people what they will look like if they stop training!

I'm mad about Rugby Union and motorbike racing. I have a well sorted road bike and I'm restoring an old classic Suzuki 750.

I'm in the process of finishing my coaching qualification. I'm really pleased that I have been given the opportunity to assist with coaching at Solihull. I am looking forward to the World Masters in Vienna next year and hope to improve on my bronze in 2002.

You have to believe in yourself, otherwise no one else will. To be successful in judo you will have to make some sacrifices but in the long run you will find there are even more gains. You will find friends through judo and it does become a way of life.

POST SCRIPT:
On the 17^th September 2005 Danny won himself a Gold medal at the British Masters' Championships, Norwich. He was in excellent form, beating all his opponents convincingly.