A SENIOR coach at a Borders judo club has been awarded the prestigious grade of 6th Dan (Rokudan).

Tam Hardie, who has been involved with the Focus Judo Club in Galashiels since 1978, was presented with the red and white belt this month.

It was given to him by Rick Kenny OBE, 8th Dan, who was the examiner when Mr Hardie gained his 1st Dan black belt at the age of 24 in 1989.

Mr Kenny said: “I am honoured to present Tam with his 6th Dan (Rokudan) after being present when he gained his 1st Dan 35 years ago.

“This is a well deserved achievement for someone who embodies all the values and principles associated with judo.”

Mr Kenny also gave Mr Hardie a hardback book purchased from the Kodokan in Japan and a bottle of champagne.

Mr Hardie’s judo journey began at the age of 13 at Focus Judo Club in the late 70s, where he was coached by Bill Hislop, Bill Graham and Jock Granger.

He began helping as a coach in 1986 and became the senior coach after gaining his 1st Dan black belt in 1989.

By 1992, he had attained the competitive grade of 2nd Dan and in 1996, his 3rd Dan black belt.

The following year, he became Scottish Champion in the -86kg category, competing in the Scottish Closed Championships.

In 2004, Tam secured his 4th Dan black belt and by 2010, he achieved the technical grade of 5th Dan, the last black belt within the grading system.

As well as these achievements in the sport, Tam has helped numerous judoka earn their Dan grades under his coaching skills and guidance, as well as hundreds of junior and senior players.

He is a senior examiner for Judo Scotland, has a level 1 qualification in various kata forms, and is the senior coach and treasurer at Focus Judo Club, where he sees more than 100 members participate on a Monday night and 40 junior girls on a Wednesday night, as well as 30 senior players overall.

This is while maintaining his full-time job as a painter and decorator with W.M. Graham & Son in Galashiels.

Reflecting on his journey, Mr Hardie said: “While I was training and becoming the judoka I am today, I trained at many other judo clubs in Edinburgh.

“I would like to say thanks to these coaches and clubs for being an important part of my journey: Andy Malcolm (Edinburgh Bushido), Jimmy Rankin (Meadowbank JC), Jim and Sheila Syrett (Commonwealth Pool JC & Shishi-Kai JC) and also to Stuart Gordon (4th Dan) from Focus Judo, who has been my long-time training partner and Uke over the past 37 years and has been there with me throughout every grading.

“And to all the countless training partners I’ve had over the past 46 years of judo, I am very grateful.

“And lastly, to my family. Irene, my wife, has always supported me in everything I’ve done in judo and to my children, Shaun, Claire and Kristen.

“It was very emotional having you all there to share this evening with me.”

A spokesperson for the club said: “On behalf of everyone at Focus Judo Club, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Tam on this incredible achievement and thank him for his selfless dedication to the club and all the help he has given us over the years, to guide us through our own judo journeys. He is one in a million.”