The course, held at the Turkish Olympic Committee Training Centre in Samsun, was overseen by a number of officials and experts from the International Judo Federation (IJF), including sports director Daniel Lascau and IJF Academy director Envic Galea.

During the week-long seminar at the centre, which boasts a sprung floor, three full-size mat areas, a fitness centre and conference rooms, participants took part in two days of coaching in nage no kata and katame no kata under the guidance of Piero Comino, before conducting theory examinations under the supervision of Professor Tibor Kozsla from Semmelweis University.

Mesut Kapan, who took part in a pilot of the course earlier this year gaining first instructor status, acted as the coordinator with the students taking the course in Samsun.

Students took part in nage no kata and katame no kata coaching sessions at the Turkish Olympic Committee Training Centre in Samsun ©IJF




Many of the participants are former judoka who competed in national and international competition.

They are being encouraged by the TJF to remain in the sport once they have retired from competitive action in order to help develop the next generation of judo athletes.

Once they have achieved the relevant qualifications for instructor and coaching status, the TJF says it will pay them salaries with the support of the Turkish Government in order to encourage them to give back to the sport and pass on their knowledge and experience.

The TJF claims there are currently around 55,000 people taking part in judo activity across more than 250 clubs in Turkey.

It also claimed it currently has 1,000 coaches and 850 referees.

Following practical assessments participants undertook a theory examination ©IJF



But TJF President Fatih Uysal says he wants coaches in Turkey to be qualified to the highest standard and take part in the instructor and coaching courses organised by the IJF Academy both at home and abroad.

As a result of the successful course in Samsun, the TJF plans to run further instructor and coaching courses in conjunction with the IJF Academy beginning next month.

These will be followed by practical and theory examinations scheduled to take place in November.

There are 25 places available and for more information applicants should email [email protected]