Dr Lisa Allan explained, "We started talking about this project of passing the Kodokan 3rd dan a few months ago. It was during the world championships in Doha. Since then, Hedvig and I have been preparing intensively. Slavisa Bradic was our kata expert. We also had a lot of help from Péter Hegedűs and Csaba Kardos in Hungary. It has truly been a team effort.
What's interesting is that Hedvig and I come from completely different backgrounds. She was a very high level competitor. I have always done judo, but in a more recreational way. We don't have the same body shape and we have an age difference and yet, we worked perfectly together. She has been a great champion during this preparation. It was an honour to work with her.
I think we were both really nervous but we're happy with how things went. I really had a lot of fun.”
For Hedvig Karakas, it was an adventure as well, "The whole idea came from Lisa. When she decides something, she puts all her efforts into it and she succeeds. She is a very strong woman and I admire that. I integrated with the IJF team as she arrived in Budapest and immediately, I offered her help with the preparation. Quickly we realised that we must each play uke and tori, so I became more involved. I passed my grades up to fourth dan in Hungary, but suddenly with Lisa I had the opportunity to pass the Kodakan third dan. This was a new challenge for me. As a competitor, I didn't focus so much on kata. Here I had to learn a whole new way of practising judo and it was exciting. To pass a grade at the Kodokan, where judo was born, is something special. Honestly it was a massive stress to present our work in the home of judo. I am happy I could help her and to be part of that journey."
Kodokan president Haruki Uemura was very satisfied, "I am very happy with the performance of Lisa and Hedvig. They are very busy women but they took the time to prepare very well for an exam that is not trivial. As Secretary General of the IJF, Lisa has a very tight schedule and making the effort to prepare for a grade examination is an important process. Hedvig, who has been a very high level athlete, continues her life as a judoka and this is worth noting.
The Kodokan has worked hand in hand with the IJF for many years. One of the examples is that of the IJF Academy. The Kodokan has an important mission, that of spreading judo and its values, not only in Japan but throughout the world. The graduation ceremony, which took place in our premises is a further sign of this understanding between our two organisations. We work together and that also makes me happy.
The IJF is a major organiser of judo and an excellent disseminator of the values of our sport. It is a very good sign to see that the IJF staff is made up of judoka. I also think, for example, of Florin Daniel Lascau, the Head Refereeing Director, who passed his Kodokan 7th dan some time ago and who works with us within the Academy. Lisa, Hedvig and Daniel are role models for all our judoka."
Precisely, for Florin Daniel Lascau, the graduation of Dr Lisa Allan and Hedvig Karakas deserves to be talked about, "Lisa is a very good example of what we can do outside the tatami and the importance of not forgetting contact with the field. Her judo demonstrations were of a very high level. With this she demonstrates that personal development in judo never ends. This is a strong signal that we can continue learning all our life."
Chikara Kariya is one of the experts of both the Kodokan and the IJF Academy. He attended Lisa and Hedvig's demonstrations, "They were both perfectly prepared; they had surrounded themselves with the best experts. It was a pleasure to see. The idea for this exam was born several months ago. I was really impressed with their performance. Lisa holds a very high position in the IJF hierarchy and to continue to practise like this is a great message for the world of judo."