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 Sampson's story

Head instructor Sampson Sampson stands as Sobell's longest standing student. Originally walking through our doors in 1974, Sampson quickly became a standout judoka and in a mere 12 months after first stepping on the tatami, he wrapped a 1st dan black belt around his waist. Two years later at the age of 16, he obtained the rank of 3rd dan. ​ A fierce competitor, Sampson made a name for himself in the British judo community due to his excellence in tournaments, winning multiple national and international medals. Together with his training partner at the time, Simon Mazullo, the duo were multiple time Kata champions of the BJC. During the height of his career, Sampson was approached by the Cypriot Judo Federation to train their Olympic team for the 1984 Olympics; and later went on to represent the Cypriot Judo Team himself. Sampson achieved his 5th dan in 1992 at the age of 31, and was awarded his 6th dan by the BJC in 2005. Sampson is known for his unrivalled understanding of the finer dynamics of judo and his technical excellence ensures he enables every student who walks through his doors does not just practice judo, but truly understand how every element of it works. Sampson has continued to teach at both national and international seminars throughout his career and his knowledge of judo is widely respected, a statement which is supported by the 10,000+ people who have subscribed to learn from his YouTube channel - Sampson Judo. ​ Sampson was a former technical director of the BJC, however, in 2011 he and his team made the decision to form their own organisation, Judo For All UK, where he currently serves as its president. You can read more the move to JFAUK here. Since forming JFAUK, Sampson's technical understanding of judo and his dedication to keeping traditional judo and its philosophies alive was noticed by the World Judo Federation (WJF) who invited Sampson and his team to join their global organisation. His contribution to the development of judo at an international level was later recognised by the World Judo Federation and on November 3rd 2013 at the European Traditional Judo Championships held in Milan, Italy, the WJF awarded the rank of 8th Dan to Sampson. In 2018 Sampson was promoted to Chairman of the WJF Referee Committee and Vice Chairman of the WJF Technical Committee. ​ As well as a judoka, Sampson also has experience as an MMA competitor and holds the grade of 3rd dan in JuJitsu, 2nd Dan in Kendo, 1st Dan in AIkido and 1st Dan in Shotokan Karate.



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 Sampson's story

Head instructor Sampson Sampson stands as Sobell's longest standing student. Originally walking through our doors in 1974, Sampson quickly became a standout judoka and in a mere 12 months after first stepping on the tatami, he wrapped a 1st dan black belt around his waist. Two years later at the age of 16, he obtained the rank of 3rd dan. ​ A fierce competitor, Sampson made a name for himself in the British judo community due to his excellence in tournaments, winning multiple national and international medals. Together with his training partner at the time, Simon Mazullo, the duo were multiple time Kata champions of the BJC. During the height of his career, Sampson was approached by the Cypriot Judo Federation to train their Olympic team for the 1984 Olympics; and later went on to represent the Cypriot Judo Team himself. Sampson achieved his 5th dan in 1992 at the age of 31, and was awarded his 6th dan by the BJC in 2005. Sampson is known for his unrivalled understanding of the finer dynamics of judo and his technical excellence ensures he enables every student who walks through his doors does not just practice judo, but truly understand how every element of it works. Sampson has continued to teach at both national and international seminars throughout his career and his knowledge of judo is widely respected, a statement which is supported by the 10,000+ people who have subscribed to learn from his YouTube channel - Sampson Judo. ​ Sampson was a former technical director of the BJC, however, in 2011 he and his team made the decision to form their own organisation, Judo For All UK, where he currently serves as its president. You can read more the move to JFAUK here. Since forming JFAUK, Sampson's technical understanding of judo and his dedication to keeping traditional judo and its philosophies alive was noticed by the World Judo Federation (WJF) who invited Sampson and his team to join their global organisation. His contribution to the development of judo at an international level was later recognised by the World Judo Federation and on November 3rd 2013 at the European Traditional Judo Championships held in Milan, Italy, the WJF awarded the rank of 8th Dan to Sampson. In 2018 Sampson was promoted to Chairman of the WJF Referee Committee and Vice Chairman of the WJF Technical Committee. ​ As well as a judoka, Sampson also has experience as an MMA competitor and holds the grade of 3rd dan in JuJitsu, 2nd Dan in Kendo, 1st Dan in AIkido and 1st Dan in Shotokan Karate.



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

 
 

FARID NEMOUCHI

6th Dan / Senior Sessions

Former Algerian champion Farid is one of our senior coaches and has a reputation for developing explosive power and competitive judo. 

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.



 

SAMUEL BETU

6th Dan / Junior Sessions

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 Sampson's story

Head instructor Sampson Sampson stands as Sobell's longest standing student. Originally walking through our doors in 1974, Sampson quickly became a standout judoka and in a mere 12 months after first stepping on the tatami, he wrapped a 1st dan black belt around his waist. Two years later at the age of 16, he obtained the rank of 3rd dan. ​ A fierce competitor, Sampson made a name for himself in the British judo community due to his excellence in tournaments, winning multiple national and international medals. Together with his training partner at the time, Simon Mazullo, the duo were multiple time Kata champions of the BJC. During the height of his career, Sampson was approached by the Cypriot Judo Federation to train their Olympic team for the 1984 Olympics; and later went on to represent the Cypriot Judo Team himself. Sampson achieved his 5th dan in 1992 at the age of 31, and was awarded his 6th dan by the BJC in 2005. Sampson is known for his unrivalled understanding of the finer dynamics of judo and his technical excellence ensures he enables every student who walks through his doors does not just practice judo, but truly understand how every element of it works. Sampson has continued to teach at both national and international seminars throughout his career and his knowledge of judo is widely respected, a statement which is supported by the 10,000+ people who have subscribed to learn from his YouTube channel - Sampson Judo. ​ Sampson was a former technical director of the BJC, however, in 2011 he and his team made the decision to form their own organisation, Judo For All UK, where he currently serves as its president. You can read more the move to JFAUK here. Since forming JFAUK, Sampson's technical understanding of judo and his dedication to keeping traditional judo and its philosophies alive was noticed by the World Judo Federation (WJF) who invited Sampson and his team to join their global organisation. His contribution to the development of judo at an international level was later recognised by the World Judo Federation and on November 3rd 2013 at the European Traditional Judo Championships held in Milan, Italy, the WJF awarded the rank of 8th Dan to Sampson. In 2018 Sampson was promoted to Chairman of the WJF Referee Committee and Vice Chairman of the WJF Technical Committee. ​ As well as a judoka, Sampson also has experience as an MMA competitor and holds the grade of 3rd dan in JuJitsu, 2nd Dan in Kendo, 1st Dan in AIkido and 1st Dan in Shotokan Karate.



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.



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 / Primary Sessions

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 / Senior Sessions

SAM SAMPSON

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.



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  / Primary Sessions

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 / Junior Sessions

FAHD DALAH