DUTCH OPEN 2007

This was the 17^th time this event has been held in the town of Dalfsen and as usual it was extremely well organised with approx 250 Karateka, 480 Judoka and 100 Somboist taking part. The two day event ran like clockwork thanks to the organisational skills of IBF Netherlands.

Friday was the Sombo which attracted many ex soviet block countries, in past years this event has always been the lesser of the three combat disciplines in terms of numbers and quality but not this year the quality and standard was very good, Saturday was the day of the karate and Judo, the UK had no entries in the Karate and it has been many years since any IBFUK Karate club has entered this event. The Judo was very well attended and had some high quality players, it was interesting to note that over the 8 mats 50% of officials were under 20 years of age in the UK most of the officials are over 40 and a large lump in their late 50’s one wonders if the youth in GB want to do anything constructive. Holland a smaller country still manages to get a good response to their competition in fact their participation rate has increased compare this with the UK where competition are regularly cancelled because of lack of support, a recent UN report said that the UK is the worst place for bringing up children whether this is true or not I do not know but one thing is for sure it is the worst place to try and run a tournament.

Let’s move on something more positive 6 UK Clubs took part in the competition they were Woodside Judo Club Bedford, Spitfire Judo Club Hawkinge, Closeburn Judo Club Scotland , Young Judo Club Sittingbourne, and Warriors Grappling Academy Sittingbourne all these Clubs are affiliated to the IBF. Manor Farm Judo Club Essex (non affiliated) were also present and they won 1 bronze, 1 Silver, 2 Gold’s well done.

IBF UK Results:

Woodside Judo Club: Judo, Bronze Adam Dodds, Ian Parker, Lucy Parker Silver Carissa Eaton Gold Cayenne Eaton

Young Judo Club: Judo Silver Danny Carrott

Spitfire Judo Club: Judo Gold Kerrie Penfold

Closeburn Judo Club: Judo Bronze Jodie Gibson

Warriors: Sombo Bronze Danny Carrott.

Competiting Countries:

Holland , Germany , England , Belgium , Scotland , Poland , Russia , Ukraine , Morocco , Lithuania , Italy , Hungary , Dominique , Switzerland .

This tournament is well worth going to and next years IBF Multi Nation Judo Championships will be held at the same venue, this years IBF Multi Nation Judo is being held in Dumfries Scotland on May 12^th 2007 countries entered are England, Scotland, N.Ireland, Poland, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland and Lithuania. IBF UK is still looking for someone in Wales to represent them especially in Judo if you are that person please contact HQ.

IBF INFORMATION