1 August 2008
Ultimate Judo was honoured in July when our Adult Beginners Class got the rare opportunity to train under George Kerr, 9th Dan (at time of publishing)— a legend in the judo world. In a master class session at Kerr’s purpose-built dojo in West Bowling Green Street, Leith, he demonstrated one of his signature techniques, hiza gatame, and shared insights drawn from decades of competition and coaching.
George Kerr is one of British judo’s most revered figures. Here are a few highlights:
President of the British Judo Association (BJA)
Holds the rank of 9th Dan — one of the highest honours in judo
Served as an Olympic referee
Was British Captain and British Champion
European Champion in his competitive days
Coached Peter Seisenbacher, a double Olympic champion from Austria
Kerr’s experience spans elite competition, coaching at the highest levels, and leadership roles in national judo governance — making him uniquely qualified to pass on deep technical and strategic knowledge to practitioners at all levels.
During the session, Kerr walked our members through hiza gatame, a knee-lever (knee arm lock) technique he employed with formidable effect in his competitive career. Key points covered included:
Proper gripping and stance setup
Control of the opponent’s balance (kuzushi)
Transition mechanics into the lock
Safety and escape options
Subtle timing, pressure, and adjustment nuances to make the technique practical under resistance
Participants ranged in rank from white belt up through early Dan grades. Many remarked that the level of detail Kerr offered — from body alignment to micro-adjustments mid-execution — elevated their understanding of how to integrate hiza gatame into their own judo.
George was so impressed with the engagement and progress that he graciously promised to return for further sessions, teaching “some more of the techniques that make a champion.”
Our low-grade (novice / lower Dan) practice is open to everyone 1st Dan and below. The class meets on Tuesday nights, 7:00 pm to 8:15 pm. The emphasis is on technique, fitness, and safe progression, making this session suitable for a wide variety of practitioners — regardless of age, size, or prior judo experience.
Why attend?
Learn directly under expert guidance, with feedback tailored to your level
Improve technical precision rather than just drilling the basics
Build strength, flexibility, and conditioning specific for judo
Train in a supportive environment where mistakes are part of learning
Gain insight into championship-level applications of techniques
Events like this bring huge value — not just for the participants, but for the entire club:
Elevated standards & inspiration
Learning from someone of Kerr’s calibre sets a benchmark, motivating all students to raise their game.
Community & prestige
Hosting elite instruction enhances the club’s reputation and fosters pride among members.
Technical depth
Students receive insight into advanced details often only accessible to upper Dan grades — narrowing the gap in knowledge.
Continued growth
With Kerr’s commitment to return, we lay the groundwork for ongoing seminars, masterclasses, and deep dives into core judo skills.
Future sessions with Kerr: Keep an eye on the newsletter and club notices — we’ll announce when he’s coming back
Student feedback & video recaps: We’ll compile recordings (where possible) and share takeaways for those who couldn’t attend
Technique reinforcement: In subsequent classes we will revisit hiza gatame drills, variations, escapes and application in randori
Open invites: While this particular class is geared for 1st Dan and below, we hope to arrange other sessions for higher grades too
If you weren’t able to make this session, don’t worry — more opportunities will come. The ultimate goal is helping every member gain deeper understanding, stronger technique, and lasting enjoyment of judo.
28 October 2025
