Budokan has successfully nominated Dale as a hero in our Community to the Federal Minister for Sport, Richard Colbeck.
The Minister recognised Dale, her achievements, outlook and coaching/mentoring philosophy in his “Highlight a Hero” series
Ten world titles under her belt has Dale Keogh fighting for more
It will take more than a second knee replacement to keep 74 year old Dale Keogh off the mats, according to her fellow members at Sydney’s Budokan Judo Club.
Taking up the sport at the age of ten, Dale has dedicated more than half a century to judo and has a string of accolades under her belt- competing in national and international competitions since 1994 and even claiming the World Judo Masters Championship title ten times.
In 2018, Dale was appointed to the Oceania Judo Union Kata Commission and the National Grades Commission, but it’s the friendships made along the way that’s kept her so heavily involved.
Budokan’s President and Head Senior Coach, Rob Katz said Dale’s “no nonsense” approach to teaching and coaching makes her a successful mentor to all ages, particularly females.
“She has and remains a role model not only to the many female members of the club but to all judoka Australia-wide,” he said.
Decades on, the judo veteran still hits the mats 3-4 times per week, regularly judging at kata competitions and mentoring New South Wales state team athletes.
Dale said the key to a successful career in judo is to have passion for the martial art and “to keep learning.” Dale said her ability to coach up and coming athletes has helped countless others earn their stripes, while she continues to focus on improving her own abilities.
“You’re always going to pursue your goals, and my goal is to make people better than me,” she said. “It’s very humbling.”