Hey Judo peeps, I hope you've all had a great summer and are looking forward to getting back on the mat. Just a quick email to make you all aware of the competitions coming up this year. The following are the big competitions on the university calendar: Sheffield Uni Kyu Grades - Sat 3rd November, Forge Valley School UEL London Open - 24th November. Always a great competition, and as I'm sure you remember, Imperial are reigning champs so this is a big one in our calendar. This year, as well as being grade banded, it is also age banded-u20's and above. Entires will likely max out for this, so REPLY ASAP if you want to compete. Info here: http://www.britishjudo.org.uk/sites/default/files/events/documents/24NovLOND... USIST- tbc (normally early Feb). Great team competition in Sheffield attracting international teams as well. Big social on the Saturday as well. Warwick Open - Sat 9th February. Yet to be attended by Imperial, although last year, there were lots of kyu grade divisions, as well as a team competition as well. BUCS Individuals - 22/23/24th February; Teams- around 20th march. Biggest comp of the year, with the year gearing up towards this. Imperial had great success last year, coming second in the medal table, only being beaten by Anglia Ruskin who, essentially, run a Judo degree. Lille Team - 13th April. As well as all of these, there are loads of other competitions around the country throughout the year, advertised on the BJA website. In the near future: Southend International- 27/28th October. Good competition at the end of the month (giving time to get fit again- ish). Don't be intimidated by the 'international' bit, is not olympics standard! Divided into blue belt and below, and brown belt and upwards. I'm sure we will get a fair few people going to this so let me know asap, entries need to be done by Friday 5th October, and they still live in the dark ages meaning payment by cheques/paypal (see event details here http://www.britishjudo.org.uk/sites/default/files/events/documents/27OctSIJC...). This all means that in reality, I need to know before then so reply as soon as you can, or you might get left out. Neil Adams Classic- 20/21st October. Competition held in Manchester. Grade banded nearly to each belt so you wont be fighting anyone much better/worse than you. See information here http://www.britishjudo.org.uk/sites/default/files/events/documents/20OctEntr.... Closing date for entries Sunday 7th October so again, make haste if you fancy going to it and let me know. Scottish Open- 20th October. GB senior ranking event. Will be a high standard aimed at dan grades in particular. Obviously this is in Scotland, so not ideal, but if you are still keen let me know. http://www.britishjudo.org.uk/sites/default/files/events/documents/20OctSCO%.... There are plenty more events of this calibre throughout the year. If you're curious, check the calendar on the BJA website. Kyu Grade Cup- 6th October. Held in High Wycombe. Incredibly short notice I know, with deadline for entries being 29th October. If you've been training over summer, or think you have the fitness for it, could be a good competition, otherwise would be best to wait for comps later in month once you've got a bit of fitness back. Its split into green belt and below, and blue and brown belts. Good opportunity for blue and brown belts to fight other people of the same level without coming up against far more skilled dan grades. Good opportunity to score points for grading as well. Info here: http://www.britishjudo.org.uk/sites/default/files/events/documents/6OctKyu%2.... Let me know if you're keen. Further to all of the above competitions, over the summer, the BJA, Glenn, Alice and all of the othe uni clubs in London, have been working to set up a London University League for this coming year. The details are hopefully being finalised over the next few weeks, so watch this space. University Judo has been crying out for this, so should be an awesome addition to the calendar, both competitively and more importantly, socially as well. Okay thats all the info done for now. Your job: if you want to compete at the London open- REPLY ASAP; entries really will max out fast. For those interested in the competitions coming up in October, please get back to me as soon as possible, otherwise you might end up disappointed. Sorry for the small essay, Phil Rudden Competition Sexretary --- Imperial College Judo Club w: http://www.union.ic.ac.uk/acc/judo e: judo@imperial.ac.uk