The Mid Sussex Martial Arts School

19/09/2026

Best of luck to MSMAS’ own Ceri Griffiths Sensei who will take on the world’s best on Monday at the IJF Sarajevo World Championships Veterans 2026 - with Dojo Cho Catherine Payne Renshi in the Coach’s Chair supporting.

07/08/2026

We at The Mid Sussex Martial Arts School are devastated to learn of the passing of our long standing Honorary Member and dear friend of the Dojo Peter Powell Sensei, after a hard fought battle with Cancer.

Peter Sensei brought to the Dojo colour and vibrance with boundless youthful energy; while his knowledge and enthusiasm for Judo was something to behold. He was always happy to help; always there for the many Dojo milestones.

He wore many hats and held many titles over the years with the BJA, Southern Area and Hampshire County, with this most recent achievement being awarded his RokuDan (6th Dan) by the British Judo Association; with being a friend of ours we will treasure and cherish forever.

Peter Sensei will always be remembered for his cheeky personality and full of heart and his love of Judo.

Rest peacefully, Sensei; and thank you.

25/07/2026

Thursday 23rd July saw the Commonwealth Games open in Glasgow, originally scheduled for Victoria, Australia. From 23rd July to 2nd August, this Multi-Sports event brings together nations and territories who form the Commonwealth of Nations, competing against each other in a variety of Sports and Para Sports.

Included in the Sporting Programme is Judo, which is scheduled for 3 days of action on 31st July, 1st August and 2nd August.

MSMAS has had its own brushing with Commonwealth success in the past. Ceri Griffiths, Sensei back in 2000 taking Bronze for Wales; whilst in early 2012 Shelley Jackson, Sensei (pictured) also taking Bronze for England.

09/07/2026

With this hot weather still with us, a reminder the Dojo is still open tonight for Junior Judo and Aikido.

Training intensity will be amended to suit the weather - remember to bring plenty of water.

02/07/2026

It is with great sadness we learn of the passing of Mick Leigh Sensei 9th Dan IJF.

Mick Sensei devoted seventy years of his life to Judo and was still Vice President of the British Judo Association, President of the Southern Area and President of Brighton Judo Club and Kin Ryu Judo Club, the Sussex clubs he founded sixty and fifty years ago respectively.

Mick Sensei was presented with his 9th Dan in 2023 by the International Judo Federation, one of only 13 British recipients of the grade. Hanshi Payne said at the time, “Leigh Sensei had faith in me when I first joined the BJA. The Student never forgets the Teacher!”
Mick Sensei started Judo in 1955 at the London Judo Society (LJS). He moved to Sussex in 1965 where he founded several successful clubs and was a founder member of Sussex County Judo and the Southern Area Judo. He represented England and Great Britain in Judo and three styles of Wrestling and was a reserve for the GB Team for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

He served two terms as BJA Chairman and was an IJF (B) referee, Honorary National Coach, Senior Examiner and worked for the EJU on their Olympic Solidarity Coaching programme. He was incredibly innovative, responsible for setting up the Kata Working Party (now Kata Commission), the National Veterans Championships, the Self-Defence system, the Kai system for U8s (Kano Club) and the Special Needs Working Party (now Inclusion Commission).

We at MSMAS wish to pass our condolences to Mick Sensei’s daughter Stephanie, and all his Family and Friends at this time.

01/07/2026

It was a pleasure to welcome back Sensei Simon Mitchell to the Dojo Tuesday night as he led the Senior & Youth Judo session. His focus was on two judoka in Jigotai position and how to overcome this in a positive way, using Koshi Waza.

Meanwhile, some at MSMAS were also taking part in their BJA (British Judo Association) Judo Gradings, with Renshi Catherine and Sensei Chris assessing a small group who had missed last week’s initial Grading session.

It was another warm & packed night with good numbers!

29/06/2026

Peter Powell Sensei Promoted to 6th Dan!

Many congratulations to long time friend and Honorary MSMAS Member Peter Sensei on his well-earned promotion to 6th Dan by the BJA.

The presentation was made by Robert Kubath Sensei, 5th Dan BJA, BJA Senior Examiner; and MSMAS friend and Honorary Member Llyr Jones Sensei, 5th Dan BJA, BJA Senior Examiner.

Your MSMAS family are so proud of you 😊

12/06/2026

On Wednesday evening MSMAS Senpai George attended a fantastic 40-Strong Senior Randori night hosted by Dynamic Judo and had a brilliant time!
Many thanks to Sensei Sam Werrett and all at Dynamic Judo for such a great opportunity. We look forward to the next one 💪

Outstanding evening tonight, with 40 on the mat for randori night 🔥
19 Dan grades and 21 Kyu grades.
Absolutely fantastic attendance and effort!
See you at the next one?

Great to see judoka from other clubs, including Pinewood, Keisen, Brighton, Lewes, Westerleigh, Croydon, Hollington, and Mid Sussex ❤️

11/06/2026

Friend of the Dojo Sensei Neil Bartholomew pays a visit

Our Senior Judo session welcomed a visit from New Cross Martial Arts’ Sensei Neil Bartholomew this week.

Renshi James Bibby started the session with some Ne Waza drills before passing the reins to Sensei Neil who led the group into some Shimi Waza and Kansetsu Waza. The evening moved on to Tachi Waza, looking at an O-Goshi/Uke-Goshi variation from a controlling over the shoulder Grip in Uchi Komi practice.

It’s been lovely having this series of visits from friends near and far supporting the Dojo recently; and sharing the tatami with Sensei Neil once again at our Honbu Dojo, gifting our Senior Judoka a different perspective on Judo, reminding us that learning Judo is never linear.

Thanks for coming Sensei Neil, and we look forward to seeing you again next time.

03/06/2026

A Night of Sensei Nic Dawson

“Oh what a night,” a programme packed full of nostalgia.

The programme:

* Partner style Warm up Drills
* Light Ne Waza randori
* Basic Ne Waza Drills including turn overs
* Tachi Waza: Sode Tsuri Komi Goshi
* ⁠Combination of O Uchi Gari, Ko Uchi Gari & O Soto Gari
* Uchi Komi
* “3x Man” Power Uchi Komi drills

In a Judo world constantly changing and seemingly full of a lot of ‘new’, here at MSMAS we remember our Kihon Waza - Basic or Foundational Techniques and formats that are timeless. We went over a lot of what was done in the Dojo during 1980s. A lot that is still relevant to today.

It’s is nights like these we are reminded, “Ichi-go Ichi-e.” One moment, One Time. No two weeks are the same here at MSMAS, helping us to appreciate each encounter, each experience.

Thanks Sensei Nic for another unforgettable night of Judo, and a really good work out!