Students from Marshalswick and the University of Hertfordshire judo clubs travelled to Albania to take part in a cultural exchange.
In a rewarding and often moving trip, the group visited an orphanage and saw the positive work local coaches were doing with children from disadvantaged backgrounds in the area.
They then went to the Rinia Sports Centre in the capital Tirana, where in the presence of the president of the Albanian Judo Federation, the university’s head coach, Doug Seabrook, ran a technical session.
The trip was capped off with a meeting with the inspirational Anton Shkoza, a seventh Dan and former Olympian who had a serious acciden.
However in spite of his paralysis, he continues to coach local children to keep them off the streets and channel their energy into judo.
“It was a great trip and we are already starting to plan next year’s trip,” said Doug, who also paid tribute to Anton Shkoza, Kevin Paja, Labo Capo, Met Shkreli and Saimir Haxhiu who helped organise the visit.
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