Welsh Judo Association
Governing body of judo in Wales
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Welsh Judo Association (WJA; Welsh: Cymdeithas Judo Cymru) is the governing body for the sport of judo in Wales founded in 1966 by Mr Alan Petherbridge MBE (https://www.britishjudo.org.uk/event/petherbridge-celebration-samurai-judo-club-swansea-13-oct-24/).[1] The WJA has 40 affiliated clubs and over 2000 members.[2] It is responsible for managing the Welsh Performance Squads the National Coach selects the Welsh national team to compete in international events. Double judo Olympic silver medallist Neil Adams is a former WJA National Coach.[2][3][4][5][6]
| Cymdeithas Judo Cymru (Welsh) | |
 | |
| Sport | Judo |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | National |
| Abbreviation | WJA |
| Affiliation | British Judo Association |
| Headquarters | The National Judo Centre, Sport Wales National Centre |
| Location | Sophia Gardens, Cardiff |
| CEO | Ben Jefferys |
| Coach | Michael Horley and Natalie Powell |
| Official website | |
| www | |
 | |
Marc Longhurst was the WJA Chair from 2021 to 2024, he was replaced by Chris Emsley .[7]
A purpose-built GBP 1.1m dojo opened at the Institute in October 2009 to house the WJA, allowing the full-time tutorage of promising athletes.[8][9]
The Welsh Judo Association is based at the Sport Wales National Centre, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.[citation needed]
Notable judokas
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| World Judo Championships | ||
 | Natalie Powell | 2017 |
Natalie Powell was the first athlete from the National Judo Centre to qualify for the Olympic Games. Natalie Powell made it to the quarter-finals of the -78 kg women at Rio Olympics 2016.[10]
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