18 November 2024
While the November chill prowled the outside of the dojo walls, inside there was the familiar Aberdonian warm welcome as Ray Stevens stepped onto the mat.
For Gordon, it was another chance to share the mat with one of his idols, to watch and learn from a master whose influence had shaped his own judo journey. For Stuart, Ray wasn’t just an inspiration—he was one of the reasons he first tied on a judo belt. This was more than an opportunity to meet a hero; it was a chance to refine his “tall man judo” under the guidance of a world-class athlete who truly understood how to make every inch of reach and leverage count.
For those unfamiliar with Ray, his name is synonymous with Olympic success. He is a man whose legacy was forged in the heat of Barcelona in 1992 and seeing him stood before us, Britain’s last Olympic male judo medalist, a 7th Dan master of the art was inspiring. And yet, there was no fanfare, no formalities—just a laid-back air that set the tone. It was an intimate gathering, judoka of all ages and grades, eager but relaxed, drawn together to learn from a true legend who carried himself as though he were simply one of us.
Ray’s approach was calm, thoughtful and full of warmth, much like his personality. From the start, he broke the ice with stories and observations, drawing smiles and laughs as easily as he executed throws. He moved with the quiet precision of someone who has spent a lifetime perfecting his craft. He took great care showing the youngsters how to perfect their osoto-garis and the adults an uchimata that seemed effortless as well as a ko-soto-gake executed with the timing of a master—each technique was a lesson not just in judo but in discipline and simplicity. And yet, it never felt like a performance.
His demonstrations were deliberate but informal, an invitation to engage rather than a spectacle to observe. It was this laid-back atmosphere that allowed everyone—whether Dan grade or beginner—to take something meaningful from the day.
Younger players marvelled at how he broke down the basics, turning intimidating throws into manageable sequences. For the adults, he layered in subtleties that transformed the familiar into the extraordinary. He reminded us that the beauty of judo lies not just in power but in precision, in the invisible adjustments that make the difference between success and failure.
However it wasn’t just technique that Ray shared; it was a mindset. He spoke with humility and candour about his own journey, revealing that just months before the Barcelona Games, he ruptured his ACL—a devastating injury for any athlete, let alone one bound for the Olympics. Yet through resilience and sheer determination, he battled his way to a silver medal.
His words carried a wisdom earned not just through victory but through hardship. He told us that nerves were not the enemy—they were a sign that you cared, that what you were doing mattered. Embrace those nerves and trust your training, but leave it all on the mat on the day. Do. Your. Best.
Throughout the day, his calm, affable nature drew everyone in. He sprinkled his instruction with anecdotes—stories of training, competition, and life as a judoka at the highest level as well as tales of life juggling judo training with working as a bouncer in London. These weren’t grand tales of triumph but relatable moments of struggle, grit and the humour that comes with dedicating your life to such a demanding sport.
It was an honour to hear them and even more so to share a mat with someone who had lived the dream and endured the trials to achieve it. As the day progressed, muscles started to ache and kits became heavy with sweat, the mood remained relaxed buoyed by Ray’s easygoing demeanour.
Days like this remind you why you fell in love with the sport in the first place; the camaraderie, constant learning and the sense of being part of something much bigger.
Everyone left with a renewed understanding of what it’s like to be a judoka. To train, learn and share the mat with someone as esteemed in British judo circles as Ray Stevens- a man whose Olympic achievements are matched only by his humility- was a privilege.
Days like this are not just about learning judo, they are about living it, in the truest sense of the word. For the coaches, the learning didn’t stop. Over dinner, Ray Stevens shifted seamlessly from teacher to storyteller, weaving tales of his Olympic journey and decades on the tatami with the same fluidity he showed on the mat. He listened with genuine interest as the coaches shared their own judo stories, their struggles and their triumphs. There was a warmth and candour to Ray that made the exchanges feel less like a lecture and more like old friends catching up.
One such exchange unfolded between Ray and Ian Guthrie, a fellow Budokwai alumnus. They spoke at length, diving into shared memories of their time at the historic dojo, their mutual respect evident in every word. It was a reminder of how judo forges connections that transcend competition and rank, built on a foundation of shared effort and understanding. A fitting end to a day that celebrated not just the art of judo, but the community it creates.
