Cliff Baker-Brown started the Olympic Judo Club in 1965 at the Redcross Hall in Larup ave then it moved to the War memorial hall around 1968/9 there until 1975 when the club moved to Waterside sports centre .
Over the years training with Cliff I became Essex Champion, Southern Area Champion, and Great Britain Champion, I become a black belt when I was 15 years old, back then the youngest in the UK. We travelled abroad to France, Sweden, and South Africa I finished judo when I was 21.
Thanks Cliff.
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The forth person around the table is Geoff Wall from Thundersley, another Olympic club member, he is the one that organised the trip to South Africa.
Hi Michael, great club. Thursday evenings in the War Memorial Hall 1973. The Club moved to Smallgains (Cricket) Pavillion for a short time and used new style Matts. More solid and covered in Green Plastic. I suffered terrible Canvas Burns on the balls on my feet and Heels performing Anckle Sweeps! Took days to recover. Then club moved to Twekes (Rugby Club) Hall. Much smaller, I was a victim of a Garry Manners speciality, Tomanagi, ended up in the air and landed in the adjacent room! Not deterred, I managed to survive and enjoy moving to Waterside Farm Sports Centre a far better facility before focusing on Football. I thank you for your encouragement and advice during those times together with Kevin Smiths. Regards Kevin
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