Case Study: How Dawa Geljen Sherpa took Judo (and Koka Kids) to the Top of the World

"Throughout my climb I felt I was supplied with energy radiating from the world of judo so thanks to all judo community."

Jun 08, 2024

In this post, I’d like to focus on the incredible achievement of Dawa Geljen Sherpa, who on the 22nd May 2024 summited Everest.

Not only that. He did so wearing a judogi at 8,848.86 metres.

His climb sent a message of solidarity to the judo world and also threw the spotlight on the growing need to respect and look after this beautiful mountain.

Dawa Geljen Sherpa with his judogi on, and with Koka Kids
at the very top of the world, on the summit of Mount Everest

It was with great pleasure that Miriam and I could sponsor Dawa on his summit attempt, and a great surprise, when Dawa sent us this photograph (above).

Unbeknown to us, he had managed to take Koka Kids with him in the form of this printed logo. I am so touched, that he thought of doing this, and carried the extra weight, when I imagine every step already weighed so much.

Now, back safe and sound in Kathmandu, I got in touch with Dawa to find out all about it… the climb into the death zone, how judo continues to grow in the region, and what we can do to look after this wonderful part of the world.

Here are Dawa’s answers:

Dawa Geljen Sherpa at Base Camp 4

Interview with Dawa Geljen Sherpa, President of Everest Judo Club and Vice-President of the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC)

Congratulations Dawa on summiting Everest! Has this been your dream for a long time?

Thank you so much! it has been a dream for a long time. It was a very special moment for me to be able to stand on the top of the world where no other human can be. Only select few of us can see the world differently from the Top.

How difficult was it?

Physically, you cannot climb big mountains so your mental strength has kick in and tell you do not give up! It was very cold but during movement the body gets hot. Day time temperature gets to +40° and night time -40° and its the extremes you must have to deal with.

Does judo help you when you face a task like Everest?

Yes! Judo as a discipline teaches you to respect each other and follow the universe principal. And it is this exact trait you need to apply to endure the hardship in the mountains. So my point of view judo is not only game it is an art of living.

You wore your judo suit at the summit! Can you tell me why you wanted to take judo to the top of the world, and about your work with children and judo in the Everest region?

I am the president of Everest Judo club which has 150 active participants in 3 different Dojos hosted in schools with different elevations. Chaurikharka High School Dojo (2750m), Monjo Primary School Dojo (2900m) and Khumjung High School Dojo (3800m).

During the spring climbing session (April and May) the whole world pays attention to Everest and as such it presented me an opportunity to don a judo suit on top in effort to say "one world one judo!" To send a message of solidarity to the judo world, also to respect judo teachers, players, unite judo community and encourage for next generation in judo.

Throughout my climb I felt I was supplied with energy radiating from the world of judo so thanks to all judo community.

Can you tell me about your work against pollution on Everest?

The mountain is getting more and more crowded resulting in climbers dumping more waste. SPCC (Sagarmatha pollution control committee) as the enforcer of waste management has to implement stringent waste management regulations ensuring that there in no trace left behind during climbing activities. Mountains should not be disrespected.

Art at Sagarmartha Next; a centre set up on the main trekking route to educate climbers about waste pollution and the Carry Me Back scheme. Everyone can be a part of the solution.

Is this a problem that is getting worse?

In simple words, it is a ticking time bomb and a recipe for big disaster and we are no match to nature’s fury. In 2014, during an icefall 16 sherpas died.

As they say, prevention is better than cure so yes, the crowd has to controlled we need to be highly selective of climbers and make sure they have experience and are qualified in climbing big mountains.

What can be done by everyone who goes to the Everest region to help against contamination?

Use products that are friendly to nature and be aware enough to ensure that your activities do not encroach nature by any means. If we do not throw things away in the first place, there is no need to clean it. Always respect our mountains and supporte the Sherpa too. Dispose waste properly and bring back the plastics you carry and use recycled products.

Thank you Dawa!

Judo volunteers

Finally, I’d like to wrap up this magnificent achievement of Dawa with a call for judoka who might like to volunteer and teach at one of the Everest judo clubs or visit the region. If any judo coach is interested in visiting then please get in touch with Dawa by email on dazamyang@gmail.com

From my own personal experience, I can tell you it is one of the most rewarding trips you can make. Last year, Miriam Blasco and I, guided by Dawa, trekked to Everest Base Camp. On the way, we stopped at all three of the Everest Dojos, holding judo classes and give the children a special edition Everest Judo Club Koka Kids book, an initiative supported by the World Olympic Association and the GB Olympians.

We got the warmest of welcomes everywhere we went, as you can see in this video below of our arrival at Khumjung School - the highest dojo in the world:

A copy of Koka Kids Everest Judo Book was given to every child doing judo in the region. Also, it was bought by the wider community - raising £1000 pounds - enough to put four judoka through scholarships in Kathmandu.