SouthWest Judo Academy is thrilled to celebrate the incredible achievements of seven of our members who participated in the inaugural WA-Japan Judo Exchange Program, organized by Judo WA. This remarkable cultural and training exchange took place from December 5 to December 21, offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our judoka.
Representing our club were five talented athletes—Nate Stevens, Joshua Buck, Zackary Buck, Zara Aziz, and Olivia Knights—alongside our outstanding coaches, Marlee Mickle and Jacob Read, who also led the exchange as the CEO of Judo WA.
Over the two-week program, the group trained at the world-renowned Kodokan Judo Institute and visited prestigious high schools, including Komazawa, Waseda, Toin, Takanawa, and Rikkyo Niiza. They also embraced the cultural richness of Japan, visiting iconic sites like Mt. Fuji, Tokyo Tower, and Meiji Shrine, exploring Disneyland, and even engaging in traditional calligraphy at the Kodokan.
This exchange was not only an opportunity to hone their judo skills alongside some of the world’s best practitioners but also a chance to create lifelong memories and build lasting friendships.
We are incredibly proud of our members for representing SouthWest Judo Academy and Western Australia with such distinction. We look forward to seeing them bring the lessons and inspiration from this journey back to our mats! 🥋🌏✨
