Sensei Chris Gautier
Yuukan Judo Club, Sensei Chris Gautier, has been involved in the sport of Judo for around 35 years.
Chris was born in New Caledonia and is the youngest of 9 siblings, all of whom have been involved in Judo.
Chris started Judo at the age of five under the guidance of his Japanese brother-in-law Kineo Hori. Kineo Hori is a 5th Dan Black Belt and has been involved in the judo in New Caledonia and Japan for over 55 years. Kineo was an assistant coach to the Japanese and Moroccan Olympic Judo teams.
Sensei Chris moved to Australia at the aged of 17 and continued his involvement in Judo competing for clubs in Hornsby and Cabramatta. At 18 he gained his Sho Dan belt in Japan.
Sensei Chris competed at a National level taking out gold. He represented Australia at the Oceania’s where he competed an was the silver medalist.
He had a break from Judo for a number of years whilst finishing university and starting a career as a Police Officer. Chris returned to Judo in the mid 1990s at Woy Woy Judo Club as an assistant Coach to Sensei Danny Simmons. Later moving to the South Coast, Chris coached at Ulladulla Judo Club before launching his own Judo Club at Bawley Point in September 2009.
Chris has since returned to the competition mat and still remains competitive against his much younger opponents, however he is looking forward to continuing his career in the Veterans divisions.
Sensei Chris aims to teach all of his Judoka sound Judo technique and discipline.