Rio champion Tachimoto to work with WCPP

Rio 2016 Olympic champion Haruka Tachimoto will be lending her technical expertise to the British Judo World-Class Performance Programme (WCPP) from Monday 26 February to Thursday 29 March.

The Japanese judoka, who retired from competitive judo last year at just 27 years of age, will work alongside coaches and athletes on the WCPP over a five-week period.

Tachimoto will be the second overseas ‘Pool Coach’ to work alongside the WCPP following 2008 Beijing gold medallist Ole Bischof’s visit last month.

Nigel Donohue, British Judo Performance Director, said:

“It is with great pleasure that we have the opportunity to bring over Haruka Tachimoto to the British Judo Centre of Excellence to work with our athletes and coaches.

“Haruka’s visit is a continuation of our ‘Pool Coaches’ strategy which has the aim of enhancing the WCPP Coaching environment and providing additional technical support to the programme under the direction of the Coaching Team.

“As well as being a superb all-around judoka in both tachiwaza and newaza, we will also get a chance to learn from an athlete who knew how to perform consistently at major competitions, including the Olympic Games.”

As well as being Olympic champion in 2016, Tachimoto was also a Paris and Tokyo Grand Slam gold medallist during her career and was two-time Junior World champion.

Technical sessions are open to current members of the British Judo Junior and Senior Squads. If you would like to attend one of these sessions please email GB Senior Elite Performance Coach Kate Howey MBE: kate.howey@britishjudo.org.uk