Special thanks Instructor Hiroshi Katanishi, Pascal Badan, Andre Akribas and Kwai Judo Club for hosting Police Judo instructors in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Sgt. Toby Hinton, Ret. Cst. Al Arsenault, and Cst. Dan Pain were in Switzerland running Police Judo Clinics in March 8-10, 2018.
The hospitality provided us by organizers Pascal and Det. Andre Akribas was exceptional. Pascal (retired Police Officer - student of Hiroshi Katanishi) and Andre organized the training clinics, and these clinics covered Toby and Al's trip expenses for delivering this training. Andre and Pascal had organized this event well, hosting 30 LE officers on day 1, 21 officers on day 2, and 22 (including officers, judo or jiu jitsu people) for day 3. Day 3 was held in a very nice gym at the Swiss Police Headquarters in Lausanne and we were provided tours of the police facilities.
We were scheduled to have a private flight around Switzerland, but weather prevented this from going ahead. We also received a private tour of the Geneva Airport Tower where Pascal currently works, and a visit to the oldest castle in Switzerland and a coffee at the Montreaux Jazz Bar. Instructor Hiroshi Katanishi involved his whole family in the training trip, opening up the dojo at night to have us over for meals and to socialize with his instructors, wife and daughter.
The first two days we had Law Enforcement from all across French Speaking Switzerland (6+ States/Cantons). Many of the Law Enforcement Officers were black belts in Judo, and a number were back belts in Jiu Jitsu. The feedback we received on the training was very positive. Surveys will be put out by Pascal so we can analyze the officer feedback. I believe that this trip will help open up other opportunities for Police Judo training in Europe.
Dan was a good uke for all the demo work and assisting on the mat, and Al was in top form for the joint locks and elbow control drills. We had Instructor Hiroshi Katanishi deliver intro drill training for an hour demonstrating foot sweeps and leg reaps, which was a good segue into the leg reap takedown to standing arm lock that we provide in our training. Dan and Toby dropped in and worked out with the Judo Kwai club one night – a great work out!
Organizers Andre, Pascal and Instructor Hiroshi Katanishi are coming over for the Police Judo Clinic in May. Hiroshi Katanishi will provide a separate two-day clinic on judo basics and movement for higher belts on May 5-6, 2018 at the TTC. I would really encourage all Police Judo students above green belt to come out for this. He will bring his daughter, who is a recreational judoka, when he visits. His training focuses on basic movement and technique, which is beneficial for us. We're looking forward to their visit!
