This week we profile Masa Motoyama, UniSA Alumni and UniSA Judo Club President who also coaches club members and our UniSport Nationals Judo team each year. Masa has been involved with the UniSA Judo Club for many years, and was rightfully recognised for his efforts in 2017, being presented with a Club Colours Award at our UniSA Sport Awards Night. That same year, Masa was coach of our Australian University Games Men’s Judo Team who won the 2017 Team of the Year Award, following a successful campaign at the Gold Coast competition. Find out more about Masa here!
What sport do you coach?
Judo
List your experience and achievements with UniSA Sport as a coach?
- Judo trip to Japan, where current students and graduates gathered in Tokyo
- Team competitions including SA Challenge and UniSport Nationals (formerly University Games)
- Australian National Championships, club members brought medals back to the club
- A UniSA Judo club member has challenged World Championships twice
- Providing Judo educational seminar at local schools and doing demonstrations at community events
Tell us about your most memorable moment as a coach?
Hard to choose one but the team members voluntarily supported the club while I was in hospital for several months.
What is your favourite aspect of being a coach?
To be honoured to share my experience and knowledge with Judo students.
What skills have you developed from your role as a coach?
I have developed my Judo skills, communication and coaching skills.
Name some of your hobbies besides sport?
Cooking, reading books and trips on Google Maps.
What is something about you we wouldn’t know?
People don't know I believe grey aliens exist.
If you had a superpower what would it be and why?
To be a time traveller in order to observe several important historical moments in the past such as days of Pyramid construction in Egypt and the year Judo was established in 1882.