Alliance Dojo 71 Member Achieves Black Belt After Remarkable Judo Return
Dedication Pays Off for Alliance Dojo 71 Judoka
Montchanin, France – A member of the Alliance Dojo 71 has achieved a significant milestone, earning his black belt in Judo after returning to the sport later in life. Mike, now the 299th black belt holder at the club, demonstrated remarkable dedication and perseverance in reaching his goal.
From Hiatus to Black Belt: A Story of Commitment
Mike initially began his Judo journey at the age of 19, training for three seasons before pausing his practice as a green belt. He resumed his training at age 35 with Alliance Dojo 71, setting a clear objective: to obtain a black belt.
One goal in mind: obtain the black belt.
He committed to a rigorous training schedule, attending sessions two to three times a week. This dedication allowed him to quickly progress through the ranks, earning his blue and brown belts and returning to competition.
Recent Achievements and Recognition
Mike obtained his Kata in November 2025 and also participated in a refereeing course, accumulating two UVs (Unit Values) towards his qualification. This past Saturday marked a particularly successful day for Mike. He scored 50 points in the morning, completing the fighting portion of his test, and successfully passed his technical UV assessment in the afternoon.
His recent belt was presented to him by Gabriel Piejak, a 6th dan.
Inspiring the Next Generation
The club views Mike’s achievement as an inspiration to others. A success which should inspire vocations, it’s not easy to return to Judo at 35 after 15 years of stopping but when you set a goal, anything is possible.
The Alliance Dojo 71 extended their congratulations and look forward to his continued progress towards a 2nd dan.
Looking Ahead: The 300th Black Belt
The Alliance Dojo 71 is already looking ahead to the next milestone, anticipating the achievement of their 300th black belt holder. The next grading exam is scheduled for March 21 and 22.
About Alliance Dojo 71
Alliance Dojo 71 is a Judo club based in France, with locations in Montchanin, Montceau, Sanvignes, Saint Vallier, and Cluny. The club, affiliated with France Judo, was awarded the “Label Or” in recognition of its development, practice offerings, sporting results, and quality of teaching. It currently has nearly 400 members across eight training locations.
FAQ
- How long did it take Mike to achieve his black belt after returning to Judo? It took Mike several years of dedicated training after returning to Judo at age 35 to achieve his black belt.
- Where is Alliance Dojo 71 located? Alliance Dojo 71 has locations in Montchanin, Montceau, Sanvignes, Saint Vallier, and Cluny, France.
- What is the “Label Or”? The “Label Or” is an award given by France Judo recognizing excellence in Judo clubs.
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