Oranmore’s Competitions Coach, Richard Murphy, took the Gold medal in the Northern Ireland Open 2016 Judo contest on April 9/10. He won all his fights by ippon(a perfect throw for a perfect score ), beating British Open Champion Robert Morrow (in picture on right ) to the top spot in Derry recently.
That gives Richard a total of three Gold medals this season: in the Irish Open. the Irish Masters Open and now the Northern Ireland Open. Richard, from Clarinbridge, is the Oranmore Judo Club’s Seniors, and Competitions Coach.
The club has been a centre of judo excellence and training for over 30 years and includes among its past and present members many of the country’s notable judo practitioners and representatives, including the current President of the Irish Judo Association. Richard said, “I hope my win will encourage our judoka (judo students ) to try a little harder to do this themselves. I believe in leading by example.”
Judo means ‘the gentle – or flexible – way’. It is a sport and a martial art that is not about weight, nor strength, but about balance, skill, and attitude. Oranmore Judo Club welcomes new members of any level, age, or ability.
The dojo, where the action takes place, is open to Juniors at Oranmore Community Centre from 6.30pm every Wednesday and Friday during the season and from 7.30 for Seniors.
