INSTRUCTORS

COACHING TEAM

The Sobell Judo Club has one of the largest coaching teams of judo clubs in London. Their combined experiences spans across a variety of countries, cultures and all levels of competition from regional to the highest level. All of our dedicated staff are DBS checked and fully first aid qualified. 

Read Sam's Story

Sam Sampson first began judo in 2010 at the age of 14 at the Sobell Judo Club. Closely following his father, he went on the achieve his 1st Dan by the age of 16 and 2nd Dan at the age of 18. Since then, Sam has continued to develop his technical and competitive judo and as an active competitor. He recently took 3rd at the Cypriot National championships and regularly competes internationally. ​ Sam combines his youthful intensity and strong technical understanding of judo to run sessions that test both the body and mind of our senior judoka.



Sobell head instructor and Youtube star, Sampson, is Sobell's longest standing student. Since joining the club in 1984 he has become a world class competitor respected across the globe. 

8th Dan / Head Instructor

SAMPSON SAMPSON

Sampson Sampson Judo.jpg
 

Read Bob's Story

Bob Bushnell first stepped on the tatami in 1981 at Quinta Judo Club under Ian Black before moving to the Sobell Judo Club in 1982. Since then, Bob has risen to the highly respected grade of 6th Dan. As club secretary, Bob manages the club and is responsible for taking on all beginners through the induction program. He has the task of working tirelessly with lower grades to strengthen their foundation and helping them with their grading syllabus. Bob is a leading member of the management committee of JEF (Judo Education Fund) a charitable organisation established independently to help fund judo educational projects. Bob is a founding member of JFAUK and currently serves as its chairman.



As club secretary Bob manages the day to day running of the club. He is also responsible for getting every newcomer started via our beginners induction programme.

6th Dan / Club Secretary

BOB BUSHNELL

 

SAMUEL BETU

6th Dan

Former international competitor, Samuel has accumulated extensive experience in judo training and competition and draws on this experience each week to develop our students. 

Read Samuel's story

A former national and international competitor, Samuel has accumulated extensive experience in judo training and competition. Samuel began judo at the age of 14 at Mobutu Judo Club Salongo in his home country on Congo. In 1988 he was invited to join the BAZA Judo Club team due to Samuels excellence in competition. In Congo, judo is one of the most practiced sport by the population, so much so, that the TV programme 'Jeudi Shock' (Thursday Shock) featured it in its broadcast. BAZA Judo Club therefore wanted Samuel to represent their team on the broadcast as he stood out as a strong competitor. Samuel's stardom grew and he eventually received his first dan shortly after moving to the club. ​ In 1990, Samuel moved to Belgium, joining Molenbeek Judo Club before moving to France and representing Paris 14 Arrondissment Judo Club. In October 1995, Samuel made his way to the United Kingdom and joined Kodokan Stockwell before eventually seeking out Sobell Judo Club in 1997 as he was keen to get his children involved with judo. Once at Sobell, he never looked back and has been a member of our team ever since. Samuels extensive and wide reaching experience of judo enables him to be the perfect judo coach, as he is able to either delve into the science of judo techniques to help beginners understand judo or draw on his competitive experience to bring out the best in any judoka looking to take it to the next level. ​ Since the founding of the JFAUK, Samuel has actively lead the Refereeing Committee of JFAUK and participated in all seminars and discussion of WJF European Refereeing Committee, playing a key role in the development of the WJF EU Competition Ruleset. Samuel is a highly regarded international referee for the WJF and regularly travels abroad to assist in the running of events.



Read Bob's Story

Bob Bushnell first stepped on the tatami in 1981 at Quinta Judo Club under Ian Black before moving to the Sobell Judo Club in 1982. Since then, Bob has risen to the highly respected grade of 6th Dan. As club secretary, Bob manages the club and is responsible for taking on all beginners through the induction program. He has the task of working tirelessly with lower grades to strengthen their foundation and helping them with their grading syllabus. Bob is a leading member of the management committee of JEF (Judo Education Fund) a charitable organisation established independently to help fund judo educational projects. Bob is a founding member of JFAUK and currently serves as its chairman.



Lightweight superstar Elena has made a name for herself due to her incredible technical prowess - something she uses to guide our younger students.

3rd Dan

ELENA DEL POZO

Read Sam's Story

Sam Sampson first began judo in 2010 at the age of 14 at the Sobell Judo Club. Closely following his father, he went on the achieve his 1st Dan by the age of 16 and 2nd Dan at the age of 18. Since then, Sam has continued to develop his technical and competitive judo and as an active competitor. He recently took 3rd at the Cypriot National championships and regularly competes internationally. ​ Sam combines his youthful intensity and strong technical understanding of judo to run sessions that test both the body and mind of our senior judoka.



Cypriot national medalist and regular international competitor, Sam uses his competitive experience to aid our senior sessions.

2nd Dan

SAM SAMPSON

Read Sam's Story

Sam Sampson first began judo in 2010 at the age of 14 at the Sobell Judo Club. Closely following his father, he went on the achieve his 1st Dan by the age of 16 and 2nd Dan at the age of 18. Since then, Sam has continued to develop his technical and competitive judo and as an active competitor. He recently took 3rd at the Cypriot National championships and regularly competes internationally. ​ Sam combines his youthful intensity and strong technical understanding of judo to run sessions that test both the body and mind of our senior judoka.



Belgian judoka Geert uses his experience to help build a strong foundation for all of our younger students across  the primary and junior sessions.

1st Dan

GEERT ENGLES

Read Elena's story

Elena started judo in 2006 at the Sobell Judo Club, following in the footsteps of her children. Elena achieved her 1st Kyu in 2008 before achieving her competitive 1st Dan in 2009 at a national grading in Peterborough, aged 40. Since then she has risen to the well respected grade of 3rd Dan. A founding member of JFAUK, Elena is known for being an excellent technician and despite her light weight made a name for herself by often defeating heavier opponents with clinical displays of judo. ​ Elena uses for supreme technical skill to help build string foundations for our younger judoka to set them up for a strong future in judo.



Moroccan born Fahd is one of our most complete judoka. An excellent all rounder, Fahd pushes our junior judoka to be the best they can be.  

1st Dan

FAHD DALAH