Preparing for judo competitions takes more than physical strength.
According to Tatami Judo coach sensei Sahir Kalyan, success comes from strong training habits, mental focus, and learning from both wins and losses.
Read more: How judo builds confidence and discipline in young people
“Physical preparation is straightforward. We train in fitness, technique, and sparring regularly. Mental preparation is more challenging, especially because judo is an individual sport.”
He said athletes are pushed beyond what they think their limits are. “We help them realise what they are capable of when they stay focused, positive, and keep pushing forward.”
Kalyan believes what separates a good competitor from a great one is the ability to think about judo, not just do it. “A big part of growth is analysing judo. That means watching international competitions, talking to your sensei about techniques, and reviewing your own matches to see where you can improve.”
Looking ahead to the year, Kalyan said the club is focused on important milestones. “National trials are coming up that can lead to African championships and possibly the Youth Olympics. We also have athletes grading for black belt, which is important for growing the club.”
Also read: Tatami Judo has a passion for silver and gold
Losses are part of the sport, and Kalyan said learning how to handle them is key. “We do not allow athletes to dwell on losses during competitions. They need to reset quickly and focus on the next match.”
After competitions, mistakes are reviewed calmly. “We look at what went wrong and work on fixing it so it doesn’t happen again.”
When asked what successful competitors have in common, his answer was simple. “Repetition. It is not exciting, but it’s essential. Repeating techniques is how athletes reach elite levels.”
For judokas who want to compete at higher levels, his advice is clear. “Invest time in your technique. At the international level, success depends on how close to perfect your technique is.”
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