THE COACHING TEAM
Charlotte Rosa PotterHead Coach
BA (Hons), MFA 4th Dan, UKCC Level 3, UCJI Level 1 |
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Charlotte launched Ippon Judo London in January 2017 and opened the first Hub in Surbiton in 2018. With her dedication and commitment to grassroots judo, the club has continued to grow year upon year. The membership is now over 600 with students enjoying judo in a variety of schools and venues across London.
Charlotte has been practising judo for nearly thirty years. She has been a member of the British Judo Squad at Cadet, Junior and Senior level. As British Champion in 2006, 2008 and again in 2009, she fought for Great Britain at the Junior European Championships in Yerevan. Charlotte has also won three gold medals at the National Team Championships and many international medals. She has made several extended trips to Japan for training purposes. Over the years, Charlotte has been coached by British Judo’s Ramsay Thomson, Jo Crowley and by the world-class French coach Darcel Yandzi.
Charlotte is currently a BJA 4th Dan, has a UKCC Level 3 High Performance Judo Coaching qualification. She has recently completed the International Judo Federation's UCJI qualification and plans to continue with the second year and gain her UDJC shortly.
In addition to running the club, Charlotte has five years experience teaching Art and PE at the Outstanding (Ofsted rated) Swedish School in Barnes, London. Charlotte has a first-class Honours Degree in Art & Design from Kingston University and has a Masters Degree in Fine Art from the University of the Arts London.
Charlotte has been practising judo for nearly thirty years. She has been a member of the British Judo Squad at Cadet, Junior and Senior level. As British Champion in 2006, 2008 and again in 2009, she fought for Great Britain at the Junior European Championships in Yerevan. Charlotte has also won three gold medals at the National Team Championships and many international medals. She has made several extended trips to Japan for training purposes. Over the years, Charlotte has been coached by British Judo’s Ramsay Thomson, Jo Crowley and by the world-class French coach Darcel Yandzi.
Charlotte is currently a BJA 4th Dan, has a UKCC Level 3 High Performance Judo Coaching qualification. She has recently completed the International Judo Federation's UCJI qualification and plans to continue with the second year and gain her UDJC shortly.
In addition to running the club, Charlotte has five years experience teaching Art and PE at the Outstanding (Ofsted rated) Swedish School in Barnes, London. Charlotte has a first-class Honours Degree in Art & Design from Kingston University and has a Masters Degree in Fine Art from the University of the Arts London.
Favourite Technique: Uchi Mata (Inner Leg Throw)
Sebastian Henry PotterDeputy Head Coach
BSc (Hons), MSc 3rd Dan, UKCC Level 4, UCJI Level 1 |
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Sebastian gained his first national medal at the age of 12. Since then he has competed for both Scotland and Great Britain at many international events gaining numerous international awards. As a member of the British Cadet and Junior Squads for many years, he has represented Great Britain at the European Championships on two occasions.
In 2018, Sebastian trained in Germany for five months gaining valuable knowledge in both his coaching and judo skills. This experience helped him to secure the gold medal at the British University Championships in 2019 leading to his selection for Great Britain at The European University Championships in Zagreb, Croatia later that year.
Sebastian has a degree in Product Design and a Masters Degree in Advanced Sports Coaching. He is a BJA 3rd Dan with UKCC Level 4 coaching status. He has recently completed the International Judo Federation's UCJI qualification and plans to continue with the second year and gain his UDJC shortly.
Sebastian is a fun, energetic coach with much experience working in high profile schools across London. He teaches classes across many of the Surrey boroughs and runs the adult classes at our Surbiton Hub.
Favourite technique: Osoto Gari (Major Outer Reap)
In 2018, Sebastian trained in Germany for five months gaining valuable knowledge in both his coaching and judo skills. This experience helped him to secure the gold medal at the British University Championships in 2019 leading to his selection for Great Britain at The European University Championships in Zagreb, Croatia later that year.
Sebastian has a degree in Product Design and a Masters Degree in Advanced Sports Coaching. He is a BJA 3rd Dan with UKCC Level 4 coaching status. He has recently completed the International Judo Federation's UCJI qualification and plans to continue with the second year and gain his UDJC shortly.
Sebastian is a fun, energetic coach with much experience working in high profile schools across London. He teaches classes across many of the Surrey boroughs and runs the adult classes at our Surbiton Hub.
Favourite technique: Osoto Gari (Major Outer Reap)
Sam SmithWelfare Officer
BSc (Hons), Mbiol, PhD 1st Dan, UKCC Level 2 |
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Sam has a wealth of judo experience with over two decades on the mat. As a level 2 instructor and 1st Dan black belt, Sam was formerly the lead coach at Leeds University during his time studying there. Sam is a warm and approachable character. We are very pleased to welcome him to the Ippon Judo London team as our welfare officer.
In addition to his extensive judo knowledge, Sam has a PhD specialising in Virology, when he spent time developing therapeutics for neglected tropical diseases.
Favourite technique: Tai Otoshi (Body Drop)
In addition to his extensive judo knowledge, Sam has a PhD specialising in Virology, when he spent time developing therapeutics for neglected tropical diseases.
Favourite technique: Tai Otoshi (Body Drop)
Corey O'Neal-NarcisCoach
2nd Dan, UKCC Level 1 |
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As a 2nd Dan black belt and current member of the Great Britain Junior and London Area squads, Corey brings much competitive experience to the team. A successful player, he has medalled on two occasions at the Junior British Championships and also for the London team at the Junior National Team Championships.
Having developed his coaching practice at Senshi Judo in North London, Corey has a UKCC Level 1 Judo Coaching qualification and is hoping to achieve his Level 2 shortly. He is a confident and very capable coach and we are delighted to have Corey on the Ippon Judo LONDON team inspiring the next generation of judoka. Corey still trains regularly and his future aspirations include competing at the Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games.
Favourite technique: De-ashi-barai (Advancing Footsweep)
Having developed his coaching practice at Senshi Judo in North London, Corey has a UKCC Level 1 Judo Coaching qualification and is hoping to achieve his Level 2 shortly. He is a confident and very capable coach and we are delighted to have Corey on the Ippon Judo LONDON team inspiring the next generation of judoka. Corey still trains regularly and his future aspirations include competing at the Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games.
Favourite technique: De-ashi-barai (Advancing Footsweep)
Coach
1st Dan, Club Level Referee, UKCC Level 1 |
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Lucia is a 1st Dan black belt and a long-term member of Witley Judo Club. She brings an abundance of skills to the Ippon Judo LONDON team, including a club level award in refereeing as well as qualifications in UKCC Level 1 Judo Coaching and UKCC Level 2 Sports Coaching.
Lucia is currently studying for her BSc in Sports Coaching Sciences and hopes to further enhance her learning with a Masters course next year. A fun and energetic coach, Lucia sets a great example to her students and offers so much to the wider judo community with her impressive skill set.
Favourite technique: Ude Hishigi Ashi Gatame (Leg lock)
Lucia is currently studying for her BSc in Sports Coaching Sciences and hopes to further enhance her learning with a Masters course next year. A fun and energetic coach, Lucia sets a great example to her students and offers so much to the wider judo community with her impressive skill set.
Favourite technique: Ude Hishigi Ashi Gatame (Leg lock)
Toia InfoteCoach
BSc (Hons) Biochemistry 1st Kyu, UKCC Level 1 |
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Toia assists in many of our weekly sessions in central London. She trains and competes regularly, winning Gold at the British University Championships in 2023 and 2024. Toia hopes with a strong result in 2025, she will be selected for the European University Championships. Other recent results include silver at the Kent International Tournament. Toia has a UKCC Level 1 Judo Coaching qualification and is working towards her Level 2. Students love Toia's warm and friendly manner and she is an invaluable asset to our judo coaching team.
Toia is currently studying her Masters in Biomedical Science and hopes to research more effective ways of treating and managing autoimmune disorders.
Favourite Technique: Harai-goshi (Sweeping Hip Throw)
Toia is currently studying her Masters in Biomedical Science and hopes to research more effective ways of treating and managing autoimmune disorders.
Favourite Technique: Harai-goshi (Sweeping Hip Throw)
The Junior Leadership Team
Ippon Judo London would not be the same without our helpful and energetic youngsters. The Junior Leadership Programme is designed for aspiring junior coaches aged 14 - 18 years. These young athletes are given the opportunity to shadow our lead coaches to experience good coaching practice, with a view to gaining their own coaching qualification in future years.
