Traditional judo has been given a boost in Copeland with the opening of a new club.

Sankaikuni Judo, founded by fifth dan Janice Knight and second dan Pim van den Elzen in January 2020 to promote traditional judo in the area, was due to open in April last year but was put on hold due to coronavirus restrictions. But finally, they are ready to get underway.

Due to the ongoing easing of lockdown restrictions the club is set to open next week in a Covid-secure way for juniors.

Elzen said: “What we wanted is the traditional aspect of judo. With a few adults we had been doing a bit of kata and we just felt we should expand that and make it into a club.”

“Judo, you can say it is a competitive sport where the goal is to beat your opponent and once you’ve achieved that you’re done. In the traditional aspects, judo is there to improve yourself and the only thing that’s important is that you’re better than you were before.”

It will be a learning experience for the coaches too. Elzen said: “We don’t know yet what to expect. Whether it’ll start quiet and grow or if we’ll be overwhelmed. With the coronavirus restrictions there’s a certain number of students we can have on the mat at the same time.”

Lessons will be held on Wednesdays from the Sankaikuni Dojo at the first cadet hut in St Bees School from 6.30pm until 7.30pm

Janice Knight, an experienced full-time coach, teaches martial arts in schools. During the pandemic she has adapted; hosting classes for her school learners on Zoom and demonstrating moves on a grappling dummy.

“There is what we call a school to dojo gap,” she said.

The club hopes that those who attend sessions accessed through their school will take part in their spare time.

“That was happening but we were losing them” she added.