Neil Adams MBE has been a judo name that has lasted throughout the last 4 decades of Judo. His competitive record of being World Champion and twice Silver Olympic medalist does not totally outshine his 5 European Senior Championship titles and his consistent 15 year run of international competitive Top 3 podium finishes.
Neil always had a talent and a gift to give back to the Judo community and has continued to dedicate and hone his craft both in the development of the sport, as well as train young judokas at an elite level, guiding them to realise their own competitive potential.
Joined Coventry Judo Club in 1964 aged 11 and progressed to being selected as a reservist for the 1980 Moscow Games. A member of the British Judo Squad from 1974 to 1980 he competed internationally in Holland, Sweden and Belgian. Won silver at the 1978 British Open and was Midlands Area Champion 10 times as well forming part of the Midlands team which won the British Championship from 1978 & 1980. Very aware of the beneficial aspects he has gained personally from being involved in judo and dedicated to developing and maintaining a good club environment.
Involved in judo coaching since 1974 and immediately qualified as a Senior Club Coach in 2003 when the BJA restructured its coaching system. Vastly experienced in coaching both juniors and seniors of all levels, encouraging them to progress through the grades and providing support at competitions.
Held the position of Midland Area Junior Coach from 1974 to 1993 resulting in the team winning the British National Team Championship on 4 occasions and produced numerous competitors who went on to win individual national titles including Simon Moss.
From 2000 has been active as a coach to local participants in the Masters World Competition, most recently in 2006. The event was held in France and the judo players returned with 2 gold medals and 4 bronze medals.
Joined Coventry Judo Club in 1964 as a junior and progressed to be a member of the GB Senior Squad during the late 70s and early 80s.
A distinguished competition career has resulted in the remarkable achievement of winning medals in each of the last 5 decades since a junior in the 60s through to Masters events in recent years.Competing in Masters tournaments has been particularly successful with 3 consecutive British titles and he has also attended the World Championships twice, gaining a brilliant silver medal when they were held in Northern Ireland (2002).
A qualified Senior Club Coach with years of teaching experience including running classes at Warwick University, Coventry Sports Centre and in Daventry.
Jim started his judo career in the 70’s where he represented the British army. He got his 1st Dan with the BJC before changing over to the BJA where he went on to secure competitive 3rd Dan. He has been a level 3 senior coach for around 30 years.
Jim ran a very successful judo club in the northwest, Judo Excellence, which went on to produce players for northwest and Yorkshire squads as well as British cadets. He was also assistant coach for northwest girls squad.
Jim also gave up work as a builder to teach judo full time in schools. As well as being Yorkshire champion in the 80’s, Jim competed in the World and British Masters in 2002.
Started practising judo in 1972, the last 25 years in Coventry.
Competed in junior and university competitions but also enjoys the technical side of judo, and is a first dan, qualified Club Coach and National C Referee.
Served on the BJA Complaints & Conduct Commission, and on the Board of the BJA as an independent non-executive member from 2013 to 2016.
Josh started judo at the age of 5 with Coventry Judo Club as has been training ever since. He is now a full-time athlete at the British Judo Centre of Excellence with aims to qualify for Paris 2024 Olympic Games. A celebrated judoka with many competitions under his ‘belt’, Josh likes to give back to his club and regularly instructs both junior and senior training sessions.
Started judo aged 11 and has been associated with CJC for over 35 years. As a junior won the Midland area championships and represented the midlands at a national tournament . A first Dan and BJA level 2 qualified coach has coached and supported the club over the years with both children and adult classes.
Karen is a 2nd Dan with the BJA and a level 2 coach.
Karen also assisted Jim with their club, Judo Excellence, and gave up nursing to teach judo in schools.
Karen has now resumed her nursing career and when not at work assists Jim on the mat.
Like Jim, Karen also has competed in Northwest and Yorkshire events and the world and British masters
Phil has been with the club for over twenty years and has been a BJA qualified instructor for over ten years, he holds a Level 2 licence.Interested in all forms of martial arts and self-defence, Phil has trained in boxing, grappling and karate.
He is an extremely patient training partner with lower grades, while all senior members know of the threat he poses in randori sessions.
Samantha trained and competed as a junior judoka with Coventry Judo club from the age of ten. She now enjoys watching her children train and compete for the club. Samantha is one of our Club Welfare Officers; her experience in supporting youngsters comes from not only coaching in sporting activities but also through numerous years of work within the student services sector of education, as such, she understands the importance of equality, diversity, inclusion, wellbeing and safeguarding as well as seeing youngsters develop, thrive and ultimately have fun
Chloe's passion for Judo was passed down from generation to generation. She joined the sport, in Ireland, at the age of six and continued for ten+ years, ending her successful Judo journey representing Ireland on the Irish Judo Team.
Chloe is now one of our Club Welfare Officers and is committed to providing an environment safe, welcoming and friendly for all members to enjoy, whilst enthusiastic in ensuring the growth of the club and success over the coming years.