The Shudokan was established in 1947-48 and is probably the oldest post-war Judo Club in continuous existence. In 1951 at the request of the secretary of the Australian Olympic Committee (A. O. C.
) formed the Victorian Amateur Judo Union with several then existing clubs to facilitate the reformation of the Judo Federation of Australia from a group of individual clubs into a Federation of State Judo Associations and receive formal recognition from the A. O. C. and the then embryonic International Judo Federation (I.
J. F).
The Shudokan is directly affiliated with “Dai Nippon Butokukai” in Kyoto Japan, the most prestigious Martial Arts organisation in Japan under Royal patronage. DNBK states that its aims include the restoration of classical martial cultures, promotion of international peace and harmony through the education and training of the traditional martial arts disciplines.
Victorian Amateur Judo Union Inc.
The V. A. J. U.
is an organisation which promotes the safe and fun pursuit of Kodokan Judo in Victoria. We strive to make good individuals better characters and community members. As the members practise Kodokan Judo they will naturally attain a good level of fitness and mental vigour. We organise competitions as a part of Judo training.
Our members also learn Techniques (both Tachiwaza and Ne waza – Standing and Ground Techniques), Randori (Free Practise), Kata (Pre-designed forms) and other cultural aspects of Kodokan Judo.
The union’s president is Mr Ivan Zavetchanos, surely one of Australian Judo`s most illustrious Budo icons whose curriculum vitae is too lengthy to do justice to here. By way of introduction, he was, amongst many other things, a co-Founder of the Judo Federation of Australia (J. F. A.
) 1951, a member of the Australian Olympic Committee, one of 17 founding members of International Judo Federation (I. J. F. ) in 1952, founder of Oceania Judo Union (O.
J. U. )1954, Australian Open Champion 1954 & 1955, President J. F.
A. , 1958-1969, President O. J. U.
, 1958 – 1979, Vice-President I. J. F. (International Judo Federation) 1958-1979, Australian Olympic team manager/coach Tokyo , 1964, National, Continental and International Judo Referee, and promoted to 9th Dan in 2014.
The history of the V. A. J. U.
began in 1952 in Brunswick, Victoria and the V. A. J. U.
was a foundation member of the J. F. A. The V.
A. J. U. was instrumental in getting Judo recognised by the Australian Olympic Federation.
In 1975 three malcontents became dissatisfied with the V. A. J. U.
and proceeded to undermine it with the conspiracy culminating in having the V. A. J. U.
expelled from the J. F. A. in 1981.
‘While one door shuts another opens’ is an old saying but rather true, and in 1981 the V. A. J. U.
organised the formation of the Australian Kodokan Judo Association (A. K. J. A.
) which expanded very rapidly into all States of Australia and has conducted a National Judo championship annually ever since, plus sundry International events.
We welcome everyone who wants to learn Kodokan Judo and all experienced Judoka (Judo practitioners). All the necessary accreditations, insurances, and training curricula can be provided for by affiliation with the V. A. J.
U. for those schools not currently affiliated.
We encourage you to browse our website, Kodokan Judo, its techniques, philosophy, history, etiquette, cultural roots, its status as both an Olympic sport and traditional Budo, its unique and fortunate position in the martial arts world in being free from the chaos of apparently competing ‘styles’, its beginnings from the creative genius of just one universally recognised founder, Dr Jigoro Kano and perhaps most importantly, the enormously enriching journey it can offer to you.