JUDO: First-time Olympian Eoin Coughlan will never be short of a coach.
The competitive judoka is surrounded by strategic minds and a wealth of experience, all of which he’ll call on to push through the first round in Rio.
Eoin’s regular coach Daniel Kelly will be leading the Australian judo team at the 2016 Games. Kelly is the only judo competitor to represent Australia at four different Olympic Games.
Eoin’s parents met through judo at university at home in Ireland, and when they emigrated to Australia landed in Traralgon, Victoria – a rural town with two judo clubs within 20 minutes’ drive.
His sisters – Aoife, 19, and Maeve, 16 – are also second-generation judo fighters. Although they won’t be joining him on the mat in Rio missing out on selection this year, Aoife will be attending to cheer from the stands.
She’ll be accompanied by Sara Collins, Eoin’s girlfriend;a Commonwealth Games competitor in the same sport.
“It’s good to have people around who know the sport, know your strengths and know the things you give up to follow your passion,” he said.
“There are always people giving advice, which I think is a good thing.”
Although Eoin, 24, first tried judo twenty years ago, it wasn’t always set that he would follow his parents’ passion for the sport.
“I participated in every sport, (my parents) gave me the opportunity to try whatever I wanted; football, basketball, hockey, karate,” he said.
“But I stuck with judo when I worked out that was what I was best at.”
The U81kg competitor identifies his strength as his greatest asset – “I fight” he laughs – and he has spent the past 18 months doing reconnaissance on the strengths of his opponents.
Between the Oceania and World Championships, the Grand Prix in Budapest and extensive training camps in Japan, Azerjiban and Spain, Eoin is confident that he has faced off against and beaten the best.
“To beat (Fijian) Josateki Naulu in the Oceania final (in Canberra) this year was amazing,” he said.
“I hadn’t beaten him for a year since I beat him in the 2015 final and we had fought each other twice in between.
“In Japan we were training with the former world champion (now number two) of the my category(Takanori Nagese).
“He’s a really good gripper and quite tricky in the way he controls his grip.
“Training camps are good for a bit of networking but we’re not necessarily there to help each other.”
That research will come into play in on August 5 when the Olympic draw is likely to be released.
While Eoin revels in the chance to walk in the Opening Ceremony, his coach will be plotting the best approach against Eoin’s first round opponent, and likewise for his teammates.
“Daniel likes to go on with research… he’ll jump online and watch our competitors past fights and then brief us with a one-on-one meeting.
“We are a young team and we’ve got some really talented guys and girls competing.
“The two girls (Katharina Haeker and Miranda Giambelli)…. have beaten top 20 athletes in recent competitions, while Nathan has one of the best judo brains out there.
“But this is the hardest competition yet, and whoever we draw will be tough. All you need is one mistake and then to capitalize on it.
“My plan is to be the best that I can be. I try to never go into a competition and look past the first round. If you look past that first round you are possibly missing something important that’s right there in front of you.
“That first fight. That’s all I ever worry about.”
Candice Keller
