Player of the Month


Player of the Month

Ron Knight 5th dan

By Solihull Judo Club Correspondent Lena Strang

 

Ron Knight needs very little introduction. He has been part of the Midlands judo scene for many years as a successful player in his own right and as a longstanding coach. His enthusiasm and ability to motivate players ensure that Solihull is still a flourishing and vibrant judo club!

When did you start practising judo?

I started judo at Solihull 32 years ago and my coach was Pete Barnett. I remember Billy Tromans, one of the oldest practising judo player in the Midlands showing me my first judo throw.

Where do you train?

I train at Solihull on Fridays and Coventry on Wednesdays and do supplementary fitness training on Mondays.

What are your favourite techniques?

Uchi-mata and Sasae-tsuri-goshi

Who has influenced you most in judo?

It must be Pete Barnett. He was a very good coach, excellent motivator and made sure you always got going. Another person I admire is Les Hudspith. I never forget him throwing Brian Jacks in the British trials. Other people who have influenced me include Roy Muller and Tony Weaver although Pete used to worry about Tony leading us all astray!

You have been a coach for a long time. Tell us about this.

I was Midland area Women's Team coach and during this time the team achieved national gold and bronze. I also took the team to a training camp in Lund, Sweden and have also coached in Sweden on summer camps. I was coach at Aston University Judo Club for a number of years and built up a very strong club. I have been Junior Coach for the last 22 years. In the last three years I have been chief coach (Seniors) at Solihull.

What are your achievements at judo?

I was a member of the British Squad for four years and was a member of the British Olympic Training Squad. I was under 86 kg British National Champion. I represented Great Britain as Home International in the Masters Tournament at Aston Villa Leisure Centre. I have also been British Masters Champion three times. I fought for the Midlands team and gained numerous national medals in the team championships. The Wolverhampton lads nicknamed me the 'Missionary'!

Are there any particular highlights of your judo career?

I was really pleased to win the Masters Tournament last year. By the end of the tournament I was 3 points short of my 5th dan so I entered a national grading and got it on the day. This was a real boost and shows my throws are still working!

A highlight of my judo career has been the friends that I made while competing. We were young and dedicated, striving to beat one another on the mat but always remaining friends!

What are the secrets of your success?

I think it is the sheer enjoyment of judo. I love judo for judo's sake. Over the years there have been so many different judo clubs where I could train and the atmosphere has always been great. This is what it is about and I still love it.

We understand that there is something of a judo tradition in your family?

Yes, it is nice to have 3 children follow in my footsteps! Gary, who is a member of the British Cadet Squad, is very committed and has developed some lovely judo techniques. Adam is coming on well and recently won a tournament in Telford and Abigail is helping with the coaching of junior players. We wouldn't be able to do this without the support of Linda, my wife. Washing three sets of judo kits every week has finished off two washing machines this year!

Have your got any other hobbies or interests?

I play rugby, like windsurfing, reading and playing the guitar - and being a dad.

What are you aiming for next?

I want to be able to train at the club as long as I can. I won't do any more competing but just want to enjoy my judo. I would like to be able to show younger players by example. Judo is not just about winning but about doing as well as you can.

Any thoughts about Solihull Judo Club?

I would like to keep running the club in the same way as Pete Barnett did. There is a good blend of players at both senior and junior level. The junior section is particularly strong with 60 junior players currently. We are all considering the next stage of development for the club and I think the future looks promising.

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