Judo club takes the battle to disabled youngsters

Apr 19 2009 by Phil Doherty, Sunday Sun

A GROUP of disabled kids and adults will be demonstrating there is no handicap when it comes to martial arts as they take part in the region’s biggest combat festival.

Washington Judo Club demonstration team, made up of children and adults who have autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cerebral palsy or Down’s syndrome, are taking part in the Marfest International Festival of Martial Arts, which is held annually to raise thousands of pounds for Cancer Research UK.

The exhibition will attract hundreds of martial artists from the region to show their skills at Seaburn Leisure Centre, Sunderland, on Saturday, May 9.

Sensei John Pickering, second dan, said: “It means a lot for these disabled students to take part in such a festival. They are very keen on the sport and the festival is an opportunity to show their fellow martial artists what they can do in front of an audience. This also shows the audience that it’s not their disabilities that count, but their abilities.

“I get such a buzz from watching these kids and adults train and the enthusiasm that they put into it. They are really dedicated to both the club and the sport and are an inspiration.”

The club has been in existence for six years and has about 60 regular disabled and able-bodied students who train at Washington Comprehensive School and at the Portland School for special needs children in Sunderland.

As well as demonstrating their skills in front of hundreds of the region’s top martial artists at the Marfest, they regularly take part in special needs judo competitions.