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Sensei Barry Cook
Hi, my name is Barry Cook. I started Judo in 1979 aged 9, and trained under Sensei Ray Hollis. I trained with Sensei Hollis for 3 years till 1982 and left after passing all my mon grades and with a club junior 1st Dan. As I recall, their were no external contest requirements involved, but there was an increasing quantity of Randori as I got higher up the grades.
Many years later, I began teaching Martial Arts and decided to resume my Judo training by practicing within my own Dojo. As I was already part of a global network of Martial Arts, I reached out to a Judo Sensei friend of mine, who mentored and coached me with my Judo, he was a competitor at the 1995 World Judo Championships in Makuhari, Japan, and his name is Sensei Jonathan Kruger.
Sensei Kruger is the head of the Kodokwan Judo Association (KJA), who are members of the Zambian Judo Association (ZJA), which is the national governing body for Judo in Zambia, and who are members of the International Judo Federation (IJF) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Over time, and with much guidance, Sensei Kruger awarded me with the technical grade of Judo 2nd Dan in 2012.
I hold several high-level Coaching, Assessing, and IQA qualifications, reflecting my extensive experience and education in the Martial Arts. These qualifications demonstrate my commitment to teaching and mentoring others, ensuring they develop both technical skills and a deep understanding of Judo principles. My credentials enable me to train Judoka (Judo students) at various levels, from beginners to advanced, fostering their growth and helping them achieve their full potential in our dynamic sport.
My qualifications include:
Black Belt Judo 2nd Dan, Ju-Jitsu 8th Dan
Advanced First Aid (Northwest Ambulance First Aid Trainer)
Advanced Safeguarding
Enhanced DBS Disclosure
Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (RQF)
Level 4 Award in IQA of Assessment Processes & Practice (RQF)
Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (RQF)
BA (Hons) Degree in Childhood Studies)
CMI Level 7 Award in Strategic Management & Leadership (RQF)
Qualified Primary School teacher
My Awards and Honours include:
Lifetime Achievement Award for Martial Arts in 2012
Inducted into the International Black Belt Hall of Fame in 2014
Recipient of The British Citizen Award (BCAe) and Medal of Honour in 2024
A little about me...
In my day job, I am a primary school teacher. I teach year 6 and spend a lot of time getting my students through their SAT exams and getting them ready for high school the following September.
In my weekend job, I also work for the NHS, working for the Northwest Ambulance Service as part of the community resuscitation team. My role involves teaching all levels of first aid to various groups and companies in my community.
Academically, I hold Foundation Chartered Manager status (fCMgr) with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), a Masters in Leadership (MA), and a Bachelors Degree with Honours (BA Hons). I also hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
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