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| Testimonials |
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| Here's a selection of testimonials from a wide range of people who Ray has taught or been involved with in the fields of judo, mixed martial arts (MMA) and fitness training.
"Ray Stevens is acknowledged as one of Britain's greatest practitioners of judo in recent times. What people should also know is that he is also an outstanding teacher who understands both the mental and physical aspects of learning quickly and well. A club with him in charge of it is going to be a very good one, and a great place to be." "Ray Stevens has a long and illustrious career inside British Judo. He was always considered by his fellow competitors and the judo public as one of the most skilful of British Judoka with his dynamic throwing and equally effective groundwork techniques. "I've known Ray Stevens since he was 16 years old when he asked to be my training partner back in the 1980's. Who could have asked for a better partner than him! Ray is committed, reliable, works extremely hard to get where he wants to be and above all that, is genuinely personable.
"I remember watching Ray win his Olympic silver medal in Barcelona. It was such a performance, gutsy and skillful, and it literally lifted the morale of the whole judo team giving us all confidence and belief. "Ray is known internationally in Judo as someone who has excelled at the highest level and whose approach combines dedication with technique and creative flair. "Since 1985 or so I have spent a lot of time with Ray. At all times it was an uplifting experience for me because I was sharing time with an individual whose dreams and aspiration and sheer dogged hard work helped him to transcend the ordinary and the great and to climb to the very top of the mountain. It also reassured me that perseverance in the face of often great adversity would finally lead to great victories. "It has been such a privilege to be able to train with an Olympian. Under Ray I have improved exponentially. I cannot recommend Ray as a coach highly enough." "Ray Stevens doesn't just talk a good game, he actually practices what he preaches. Ray competed at the highest level so knows what it takes to get and stay in great shape. On top of that he is also a very good communicator, which makes him an excellent teacher." "Many people know Ray as the last male Olympic medallist this country has produced; I however have the privilege of knowing him as a coach as well. His precise understanding of each and every technique goes way beyond any instruction that I have received from anyone else and his attention to detail is extreme! However his easygoing manner makes judo entertaining and easy to absorb techniques that had remained a mystery to me, have been broken down and reassembled in a way that not only work but also make sense! "Ray is one of the best judoists this country has ever produced. He has proved that he is literally - World Class. Aside from being an amazing athlete and competitor, he is a truly rare and gifted teacher whom I am lucky enough to call - Sensei. "Ray's second sporting love is golf, and as his instructor and good friend I have seen him apply to golf some of the qualities that took him to the top in Judo, at International level. What stands out most of all is his resolve not to compromise the building of proper technique, even when things get difficult; he has a preparedness to do whatever is required to achieve technical excellence. "Very few can have the chance to learn from such a great Judo champion as Ray Stevens, silver medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona (despite having competed virtually on one leg) and silver medal at the 1994 European Championships. The depth of both his standing and groundwork techniques and his attention to detail are phenomenal. Ray is very enjoyable to practice with, even when out of nowhere, I end up either watching my feet flying above my head, or arm-locked in a desperate position!"
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