If you don’t know your Kosoto Gake from your Uki Otoshi, it doesn’t matter. You can still enjoy an Under 16s Judo Tournament – just for the passion and bravery of the Judoka.

While others were enjoying a cool frappaccino in the sunshine, in Cowley Road or Park End Street, or splashing in the river by the Angel and Greyhound Meadow, I was 90 minutes away, in the midst of a fevered throng of parents, grandparents, bellowing coaches and busy siblings, watching our loved ones fly through the air, and land on the inner red square of a sprung floor with a terrific, terrifying thwack.

We were in Kidderminster, in a gleaming, custom-built sports hall which hosted young athletes from all over the Midlands.

Competitors advanced on one another like boxers, one wearing a white sash, the other a blue one. They ducked and dived, before they seized each others’ judogi (the thick white cotton tunic).

They moved swiftly, light on their bare feet, and jabbed at their opponent’s legs with a well-aimed foot, bringing them crashing to the ground in a variety of technically perfect throws, and immediately fell upon them, while the coaches shouted: “Turn, turn, turn!”

At this point, a pair of legs started bucking and arcing wildly, as the trapped person tried (mostly in vain) to dislodge the one pinning them to the ground. If they succeeded, everyone cheered wildly.

The referee raised his arm. Then the customary bow, out of mutual respect.

These were plucky competitors in the peak of fitness – undeterred by the nose bleeds, the sore shoulders, the crushed fingers. I couldn’t help noting the carefully styled hair which frequently slipped its moorings. It cascaded over determined faces. I wouldn’t want to meet them in the dark.

These were judo families watching enrapt at the edge of the raised competition area.

It was like horse racing without the racecards – but with the shouting, and frenzied support.

If the Oxford Schools of Judo in Headington had such a magnificent judo hall to practice in as their rivals at the Samurai School of Judo in Kidderminster, we might see even more of the kind of sportsmanship and skill which was demonstrated so admirably at this, the County Tournament – in our own city. Our youth are as keen as mustard but facilities are scarce.

So come on, all you black belts, and those, like me, who wandered in knowing nothing at all – Oxford’s young Judoka deserve better.

We’ve got the coaches, we’ve got the athletes: what we need is better facilities to encourage more to the sport. A facility with an appropriate sprung floor would be a great leap forward, to continue to develop Oxford’s talent.

Contact Oxford Schools of Judo at oxfordjudo@gmail.com or call 07913 515435