BUCs (British Universities & Colleges)

BUCS Some of our members took part in the 2025 British Universities & Colleges Sport (or BUCS for short) Judo Championships, Dan Sinclair Kings College London, Adam Middleton Southampton University, Cassia Taylor Cambridge University and Esa Mitchell Warwick University. Dan fought in the Dan Grade male under 60Kg and won the coveted GOLD medal, and will now go on to represent Great Britain in the European Universities Judo Championships which will be held in Warsaw Poland in August. Adam was entered in the under 66Kg group, there was a lot of Judoka in this group and it’s one of the hardest weights to compete in due to the vast number of entries. Unfortunately, on this occasion despite fighting valiantly was unable to win sufficient bouts to be in the medal places. This year is Esa’s first year at University and was therefore his first BUCS Competition, Esa was competing in the men’s under 81Kg KYU Grade event. Esa won two and lost two. After the competition Esa said “it was a great experience for me and marks the next chapter in my Judo development. I will be training hard for next years BUCS and hope to climb further in the rankings” Due to injury Cassia was unable to compete this year, however Cassia is also one of Witley Judo & Cambridge University Judo Coaches. So instead of competing Cassia spent the weekend as the Matside Coach for the Cambridge University Judoka. They had 11 Judoka competing plus a Men’s team. Cassia is especially proud of the Novice Women Judoka who in the under 52Kg made a clean sweep of the medals. After the Competition Cassia who is currently the Cambridge University Judo Club President said “during her time as the University Women’s Captain and now as Club President, I have been really passionate about encouraging more women to join the sport, we have a huge group of novice women this year and it’s something I am very proud of” . Witley Judo Club are very proud of our Judoka who have gone on to represent their respective Universities, and we wish Dan good luck for when he goes to Warsaw Poland to represent Great Britain Universities & Colleges in the European Universities Judo Championships. All four of the Witley Judo athletes mentioned above started at Witley Judo Club as children. If you would like give Judo a try then please click on the link on the home page and book a FREE trial session. Judo is for all, and as Cassia says Judo needs more female athletes