The UWA Judo Club recently partnered with the School of Sport Science at the University of Western Australia to deliver a series of demonstration classes as part of the SSEH1102 unit, Applied Anatomy and Athletic Performance.
Across four sessions, each with 30–35 students, UWA judo athlete and sport science student Alex Vasilyev introduced fundamental judo skills through the lens of biomechanics and applied anatomy. Students explored how body shape and proportions influence the application of techniques, linking their theoretical learning with practical movement on the mats.
The program covered:
- Breakfalls (ukemi) – developing safe falling skills.
- Standing techniques – osoto otoshi, ogoshi, de ashi barai, okuri ashi barai.
- Groundwork – kesa gatame (hold-down) and a transition into juji gatame (armlock).
- Randori-style games – adding an engaging and dynamic element to practice.
The initiative was very well received, with strong enthusiasm from students and positive feedback from the unit coordinator. The sessions not only introduced the basics of judo but also highlighted the sport’s value in an academic context.
A special thank you goes to the volunteers who assisted on the mats – Kouta Nagamura, Estela Hogarth, Oren Kelly, Clement Chan, Keishin Ochi, and Ryan Chu – as well as to Dr Martin Anderson of UWA Sport Science for supporting the program.
This collaboration is a great example of how judo can be showcased beyond the dojo and connected to broader fields such as sport science. Judo WA congratulates the UWA Judo Club on this initiative and their work to strengthen the presence of judo within the university community.
