27 May 2023
Heading into the tournament in Glasgow, Nathan brought renewed determination. He’s been training hard both at Ultimate Judo and with Garioch Judo Club, where he’s been doing extra randori (sparring) practice to sharpen his edge.
Despite being a brown belt, Nathan competed against four experienced black belt opponents in a group of five — a tough field by any standard. But he held his own: showing composure, tactical maturity, and flashes of excellent judo. In one match, he threw an opponent within 5 seconds, impressing the judges and spectators alike.
This podium finish is more than just a medal — it’s a statement. It shows that he’s stepping into competition mode and believing in himself again. It will feed into his goals for the next event: aiming to reach the final at the Granite City Grand Prix in June, to be held at Aberdeen Sports Village.
We couldn’t be prouder of Nathan’s grit, strategy, and heart. His performance adds momentum to our club’s competitive spirit.
Nathan’s journey highlights some of the core tenets we aim to foster at Ultimate Judo:
Resilience and courage — returning to competition after a break
Continuous improvement — supplementing club training with external sparring s arranged by our coaches.
Courage to challenge stronger opponents
Ambition for growth and reaching new milestones
These qualities not only strengthen our competitive edge — they help shape the character of our judoka, coach by coach.
He’s set his sights on the Granite City Grand Prix, June at the Aberdeen Sports Village
He’ll continue refining techniques, match strategy, and mental resilience
He’ll share insights from this experience with our members to inspire and guide them
Huge congratulations to Nathan for this strong return to the competitive mat. Your hard work, belief, and performance have set a high standard. We look forward to seeing you soar even higher in upcoming events.
Keep pushing forward — we’re all behind you!
28 October 2025
