"When I was 13, I used to practise gymnastics in a gym in Pembroke in the northern part of Malta and judo lessons were held right after the gymnastics class. Inevitably this peaked my curiosity for the sport and I would find myself staying in the gym to watch the judo class.
Eventually I started talking to some of the judoka and the sensei and I was encouraged to sign up through a government run programme called Skola Sport, which when translated from Maltese into English means ‘Schools of Sport.’ I was assigned to attend judo classes on Saturdays at Tigne Judo Club, which was the closest dojo to my home."
Being asked about her first impressions, Vanessa laughed. "This is a humorous question for me because my first sensei, Ray Fava at Tigne Judo Club, always says that when he saw me that first Saturday I showed up, he thought I would never stick with it but somehow I did and here I am 42 years later, still loving the sport which has become an integral part of my life and my ethos.
I think it is true that I stuck out like a sore thumb at those Saturday classes. First of all there were very few girls and the numbers kept dropping every Saturday until I was soon the only girl there. Secondly I seemed to be ‘too princessy’ for the sport, more suited for ballet but I just loved it. Early into my sessions at Tigne Judo Club, my sensei went to Japan to train and gain his black belt. When he returned he told us of his experience there and of all he had learnt about judo philosophy and I was hooked even more. I knew that for me this was more than a sport. I began reading Jigoro Kano's books and the philosophy of judo captivated me.
About inspiration, Vanessa is clear, "First of all it was definitely my first sensei, Ray Fava, who inspired me but after a short while practising the sport, when the federation realised that I would be sticking with it and I was showing promise, I was invited to participate in training sessions with visiting coaches such as Neil Adams and Anton Geesink. However, my main inspiration was a fellow female Maltese female judoka, Laurie Pace who, when I was still starting out in judo, had already made a name for herself as one of Malta’s greatest athletes."
For Vanessa Frazier, judo is very special, "Undoubtedly every sport teaches us teamwork, fair play, respect of the rules of the game and how to be a good loser as well as a good winner, but judo has an impressive philosophy and moral code attached to it and that moral code is what sets judo apart: courtesy, courage, honesty, honour, modesty, respect, self-control and friendship. Also the discipline and focus which judo has given me has served me incredibly well throughout my life in both my personal and professional development."
Thus Vanessa has a strong message to deliver, "My message to every judoka is to keep practising judo for their entire life, until their last breath, if possible. I was impressed each time I visited the Kodokan to see octogenarians and older practising judo, kata included. Keeping in mind that Jigoro Kano formed judo not only for physical development but also for mental development, as we grow older the latter may become more important than the former but both remain vital to live a long, healthy balanced and happy life.
In her daily life as well as in her work, Vanessa Frazier refers to judo a lot. The judo principles and the way of life are very important to her. Jigoro Kano created judo as a way to have better citizens. There is no doubt that Vanessa sticks to those principles and uses the judo values at the highest level.