An Olympic opportunity for martial artists with disability came to Hobart this year at Seishin Martial Arts.Five-time National Judo Champion, six-time Oceania Judo Champion and 2012 Olympian for Judo. Ivo Dos Santos worked with the team at Seishin Martial Arts, in an effort to grow his coaching skills in No Limits Judo and further develop the Hobart team.
“No Limits Judo is an exciting and relatively new extension to the sport of Judo, allowing for greater inclusion and adaption for players with cognitive, physical, sensory and psychosocial disability”, Mr Dos Santos said. “Seishin Martial Arts is currently the largest No Limits Martial Arts Gym in Australia, with over 50 players with disability training each week.

 “What the team have created down in Tasmania is extremely unique and they are achieving amazing results on and off the Judo mats for their players, so naturally I wanted to come down here to learn and gain the best experience I could.”

Ivo Dos Santos is now the owner, operator and head coach of Senshi Academy in Melbourne, as well as the Judo Australia Cadet Coach, and has a personal connection to supporting players with additional needs.

“My 5-year-old son Zach is a judo player, and he also has Autism. Zach has taught me the importance of adapting my coaching for everyone so they can become the best judoka they can be. My goal is always to continue learning and become more skilled in coaching for my players. Players from around the state were also provided with the opportunity to pick the Olympians brain for knowledge and skills as Ivo Dos Santos held a kids and adults coaching seminar, running technique and drills with over 30 players.