Judo club hosts Japanese student

Woy Woy Judo Club has hosted a visit by an Okayama Judo Renmei student.

Takuma Nishimura, who is 16 years old, arrived on August 1 after a two-week stay with the Ohori Judo Club in Queensland.

"Both Ohori and Woy Woy Judo Club have close ties with the Kurozumi Kyo Temple in Okayama having been involved in Goodwill Visits for many years," said Woy Woy Judo Club secretary Ms Lindy Simmons.

Takuma's mother and younger sister accompanied him for a few days in Woy Woy before returning home.

"Mrs Nishimura who teaches calligraphy, was keen to show the different styles of Japanese writing," Ms Simmons said.

"One night after dinner at the home of Sensei Danny Simmons, Mrs Nishimura laid out her paper and inks and encouraged the family to write their names in Kanji.

"Over the next three weeks, Takuma would home stay with four of the students who visited Okayama in April this year.

"Arrangements had been made for him to attended Brisbane Waters Secondary College, Woy Woy Campus in the first week.

"Whilst on campus, he was assisted by students and Judo Club members, Rebecca Steward and Kayla Wells.

"He enjoyed himself very much, especially the football games at lunchtime.

"He made many friends and was invited to a birthday party by one of the college students."

Ms Simmons said that in the second week it was off to Umina Campus with Jordan Smith and Kieren Handley.

"Umina at this time was also hosting a visit from students from Tokyo so they were able to get an idea of what the Japanese students do from two main areas of Japan," Ms Simmons said.

"When not at school, Takuma who is a Sho Dan (first degree black belt) trained at Woy Woy Judo Club on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights.

"Thursday nights, Sensei Danny took Takuma and two other students to Budokan Judo Club at Castle Hill in order to broaden his training.

"Weekends were taken up with local football games, squash, ice hockey, a visit to Darling Harbour and shopping at Erina and Tuggerah."

Ms Simmons said Takuma is studying to be a doctor, specialising in heart surgery and had "plenty of study books and assignments to complete".

"He has been studying English for four years and Mandarin for two years," Ms Simmons said.

"At the end of this year, he will start university."

Ms Simmons thanked Woy Woy Judo Club, acting principal Mrs Pam McCallister at Brisbane Waters Secondary College Woy Woy Campus, Mr Mark Rae and Mrs Diedre Fletcher at Brisbane Waters Secondary College Umina Campus and The Glades Motor Inn for accommodating Takuma during his stay.

Press release, 7 Sep 2007 Lindy Simmons, Woy Woy Judo Club