Nik Fairbrother
Nik Fairbrother is the creator of the children’s judo programme Koka Kids. In 1992 Nik won the Olympic silver medal, a year later she became world judo champion. She holds the 7th Dan black belt and an MBE awarded by HRM The Queen.
Here is more from Nik about what Koka Kids is all about:
The mission
Helping children learn more about judo has been my mission since becoming world judo champion and olympic silver medallist.
I believe in making judo fun yet seriously so. Technique matters. And so does the judo moral code.
I aim to teach and to inspire using visual images which makes learning faster, easier and more effective.
Underlying all of what I do are four key drivers:
100% Junior Judo
Create with the junior judoka in mind. The kids form the base to the judo pyramid. We need to find ways to encourage and engage this age group.
Technique Matters
Keep it fun yet make sure it is serious fun, and don’t dumb it down. Use the lessons I’ve learnt during 40 years in judo to keep it real.
Ask the Coaches
Be in touch with the judo coaches who are running the day to day judo classes. Ask them for feedback. See what they need.
Visual Learning
Build a library of judo graphics. Visuals that help stimulate learning. Understand more and more about the importance of this method of learning.
The Goals
- Get kids to read more using a subject they love.
- Engage children in their judo, to spark a passion so they want to learn more.
- Teach judo basics.
- Get positive, motivating messages across.
- Promote the judo moral code.
- Make learning techniques easier.
- Provide step by step guides to all the judo throws.
- Motivate children to get fitter and stronger.
- Supply coaching aids.
- Help children understand grading requirements.
- Promote the benefits of doing judo.
How it’s achieved
Judo Books
With a range of Judo Books.
(Now available on Amazon)
Judo EBooks
Through Judo ebooks
(Now available on Amazon)
Online Resources
With downloadable resources
See Fun for Kids.
See Coach Resources.
Animations
With animations.
See the Ultimate Guide to All the Judo Throws
Dojo Banners
With Dojo Banners
(For clubs to use)
Background in Judo
I started judo at the Pinewood Judo Club in Wokingham, Berkshire. I was 8 years old. I remember my judo coach, Don Werner Sensei on that first day. He was bigger than life itself. With a booming voice Don shouted REI! The class bowed, and my judo journey began.
Little did I know then, the amazing, incredible path I had begun to walk and that some years later it would lead me to traveling the world and competing at two Olympic Games.
Winning an Olympic Silver
I won the Olympic silver medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. I lost the final to Miriam Blasco of Spain. A bitter sweet moment. As much I had wanted the gold medal, and I had to deal with the frustration of losing, I was elated at winning an Olympic medal and living the Olympic experience. Memories that I treasure to this day.
A Life Long Dream
It had been my dream since I was 14 to become a judo world champion. That was the goal, above everything else. And a year after the Barcelona Olympic Games I achieved it. I won the judo world title in Hamilton Canada throwing Chiyori Tateno of Japan in a tense final. Here’s a video of the world final!
Honours and Medals
1990 – European Championships (Frankfurt) Bronze
1991 – World Championships (Barcelona) Bronze
1992 – European Championships (Paris) Gold
1992 – Olympic Games (Barcelona) Silver
1993 – World Championships (Hamilton) Gold
1994 – European Championships (Athens) Gold
1995 – European Championships (Birmingham) Gold
1996 – Olympic Games (Atlanta) 5th
1986 – Pinewood Elite Badge holder
1994 – MBE from The Queen for Services to Judo
2000 – Awarded 7th Dan by the British Judo Association
What does a lifetime in judo teach you?
But the medals only tell half the story.
More important still are the lessons I have learnt from judo that I use today, applying what I’ve learn to everything I do. Here are my top five:
- Aim for better than your best
- Accept your wins gratefully and your losses gracefully.
- You never get back a missed uchi-komi.
- Believe in yourself.
- There are no short cuts to get to the top. So don’t waste time looking for them.
Want to see how I can help you?
Whatever your judo goals are, get in touch and let’s see if we can work together on your next project. Contact me today!
Working with National Governing Bodies
Here is some of the work and projects I’ve designed and been involved with helping National Governing Bodies grow and retain membership:
- Irish Judo Association Shamrock and Mon Grade Syllabus
- British Judo Diaries
- JudoScotland Kai Club
- BJA Mon Posters
Working with Judo Coaches
Here is some of the work I’ve done to help judo coaches and clubs attract new members and reinforce technique teaching.
- Personalised Dojo Banners
- T-shirt Designs
- Coaching Aids and Lesson Plans
- Koka Kids Judo Magazine
A 100 page book designed for the Irish Judo Association, with clear step-by-step tutorials for all the techniques in the Shamrock and Mon Grading Syllabus.
A poster plus 12 collectable stickers for JudoScotland’s Kai Club Scheme, an initiative to encourage under 8s to improve fundamental skills and key movements.
Two Judo Diaries designed for British Judo, with the Mon Grade Syllabus fully illustrated plus information on training, diet and competition.
A Training Diary for Kyu Grades, containing technique guides, and illustrations on stretching and training.
A set of 7 posters for the British Judo Association to cover the requirements for each of the judo belts from red through to brown belt. These posters can be downloaded free of charge from British Judo Grading Resources page.
The Koka Kids Judo Magazine. The first junior judo magazine of its type. I published the first edition in 2001, and we are still going strongly today. Now this magazine is managed by Fighting Films and you can subscribe here.
A range of Dojo Banners like the above, including promotional and technical options. Used by clubs throughout Great Britain to promote classes and make an impact.
Get in touch
Contact Nik Fairbrother and suggest your project.
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