First Ever “Ares Judo” Event Set for Weekend Launch

A packed-out High Wycombe Judo Centre will welcome the first edition of the action-packed Ares Judo competition designed to showcase team judo.

The event has been inspired by High Wycombe’s Joe Chraniuk and Core Judo’s Aaron Turner and will feature a unique judo showcase that promises to combine the thrill of a team event with a social twist. This isn’t just any judo tournament though!

The event will feature a live DJ, electrifying atmosphere with lighting and visual effects, and a talented array of judoka from across the country including the likes of Mexico’s Paris Olympic Silver medallist Prisca Awiti-Alcaraz.

Teams entered include High Wycombe Judo Club, Core Judo, Camberley Judo Club, Team Bath, Enfield Judo Club, Budokwai, Garioch Judo Club and Pinewood Judo Club.

Co-Founder Aaron Turner explained, “The event has been so well supported from Pre-Cadets right through to Seniors. When we look down the team sheets, all of the teams are fairly matched. The clubs are buzzing, we had had a great response.”

“I think when we first came up with the idea, it was very off-the-cuff and we didn’t speak about it for a while, and then we thought, let’s just roll the dice. We spoke with Karen (Roberts) and Nick (Shepherd), and they gave use the thumbs up and Joe was worked hard to get it off the ground.”

Joe added: “I don’t think we realised just how much it would be spoken about.  To hear people talking about it and it is really nice that the judo community are supporting and it just shows that people are screaming out for it.” 

“For me, I run all of the events at High Wycombe, so we run 8-9 competitions every year at the club, so I see things through those that I think “we can tweak this” and “we can do that better”. We are a good team. Aaron has sorted all of the sponsorship side while I have used my experience with the Referees and Officials and the running orders. We certainly know that it isn’t going to be perfect at the first attempt, but it helps us to improve next year and beyond.”

Aaron joked that “In my head Joe is in charge on the day, and I will just be there shaking hands (haha). I do think we will be stressed, because we have put so much time and effort into it, we want it to be perfect and I have a vision in my head of how I want it to look on the day.”

The lads have done a fantastic job behind the scenes with the event SOLD OUT ahead of the weekend with no further tickets available for the event.

If you would like to support the event moving forwards, there is a GoFundMe page where supporters can donate towards the running costs of the event. Click here to visit the GoFundMe page

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