IJF Academy students including Australia’s Aoife Coughlan, demonstrated their ashi-waza for Her Imperial Highness, Princess Tomahito of Mikasa.
Aoife Coughlan, Australia’s top-ranked judo athlete – and the world number 3 in the U70kg division – has taken strides towards the next stage of her Judo life, completing the IJF Academy Level One Coaching Course with practical studies at the Kodokan last month.
Aoife was one of an accomplished group of coaches from around the world undertaking the course, and their commitment to judo was honoured by a visit from the Japanese imperial princess, Her Imperial Highness Princess Tomahito of Mikasa.
Her Imperial Highness has been an ambassador for Judo and the IJF Academy since 2019, and attended the Kodokan to observe the ashi-waza demonstration. IJF Academy director Envic Galea said, “Her Imperial Highness Princess Tomohito of Mikasa radiates genuine warmth and passion for judo. Speaking with her, it’s clear the sport is not just ceremonial, it’s woven into her household rhythm and personal identity. She exemplifies the judo moral code, a true ambassador of judo’s spirit.”
Her presence was a powerful signal of support for the work being done to develop high level female judoka into coaches ready to lead the sport.
Left: Her Imperial Highness Princess Tomahito of Mikasa with IJF Academy directors Envic Galea and Dr Tibor Koszla. Right: Aoife Coughlan is now officially accredited as an IJF Academy Coach.
Apart from the opportunity to train under the watchful eye of Princess Tomahito, Aoife also nominated another highlight. A personal hero – 2000 Olympic champion Mark Huizinga, took the opportunity to tell Aoife her Katame waza exam was the best he’d ever witnessed.
“It was really great to be sharing the mat with multiple Olympic and World Champions which is something I find is pretty unique to our sport,” Aoife said.
Aoife was quick to advise that judoka don’t have to be Olympians or world-ranked players to maximise the benefit of the IJF Academy course.
“I think that this course is a good place to start for anyone who is thinking of coaching Judo at some point in the future/wants to increase their current coaching knowledge,” she said.
“It would be a positive experience for anyone who just wants to gain a deeper understanding of the principles of Judo, even if coaching is not the end goal. As a little bit of a Judo nerd myself, I enjoyed my experience at the practical session of this course and can appreciate that the IJF academy is trying ensure that the foundations and principles of Judo are known and taught in the same manner world wide.”
I would encourage anyone Australian coach/athlete who is thinking of doing this course to do so.”
“Thank you to the OJU and Judo Australia who supported me in completing this course. It is fantastic to have the support of my National Sporting Organisation in developing my coaching knowledge and abilities for a possible career after competition.”
Aoife’s study was supported by Judo Australia and the Oceania Judo Union, investing in developing female players and coaches as part of the IJF’s international campaign towards gender equality.
