CLAIRE HIGGINS KYU 5 GRADE JUDOKA NIDAN DEGREE JKA SHOTOKAN KARATE EXECUTIVE COACH & FOUNDER OF INNER ATHLETICS - Team Judokan

Published by Judokan at Thursday, Dec 21st, 17 12:21pm

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CLAIRE HIGGINS

I took up judo when I was 37 and Sensei Kambiz was my first judo teacher. To be honest I was a bit scared and didn’t know what to expect. But from my very first class Sensei Kambiz was so friendly and supportive. He gave me the confidence needed to step on the mat and learn how to throw and fall safely, and fight on the ground.

This helped me with my karate training and gave me the strength of mind and body I needed to pass my second black belt in that art. Sensei Kambiz always motivated me to do my best and noticed every small bit of progress I made along the way. Nothing escapes his eye! When I got tired or doubted myself he encouraged me to keep going. He always believed in me and showed me the judo spirit and way through his passion for it both as a sport and art. Sensei Kambiz coached me to enter my first competition in the UAE, and inspired me to continue to be a student of this beautiful path almost two years later. I now hold the rank of 5th kyu. Judo has become a positive and rewarding hobby and I can’t thank Sensei Kambiz enough for introducing me to it.