After 7 years in the programme, Stompie Matthyser is very proud to have coached the first five young athletes to be promoted to sho dan, black belt. "This is a beautiful and historic moment," said Matthyser, before adding, "These children began in the IJF Judo in Schools programme in 2018 at the ages of 9, 10 and 11. Most of them train 3 to 4 times a week. We had a dan grading course for 6 days prior to the official grading. Everything went so well."
To prepare the judoka, helping them to pass the test, Stompie Matthyser was joined by Thomas Dunker, 7th dan and African Judo Union kata co-ordinator. The judoka had to demonstrate the whole kyu sylabus, sho dan sylabus and the Nage-no-kata.
Therefore, Linus Stritter, Jana Mutschler, Kevin Kroller, Marcelle Basson and Shura Ryvkine all passed the test and became the first black belts coming from the Judo in Schools activities. All 5 judoka will represent Namibia in the coming Region 5 Games in July and all will register for the IJF Academy level one coaching course in 2026.
The good results of the five judoka will inspire many more to join and reach the same level, before going even further. Judo in Schools offers the opportunity for young people to learn the basics of judo and its values. It's a doorstep to enter the world of judo. For more information about the programme, visit https://schools.ijf.org/