The story of Bernardo Romay is not only that of an athlete, is the chronicle of a man who turned his passion into a life projectteaching generations of children, young people and adults to overcome limits, to fight, to get up and be better, both on and off the tatami.
His name is linked to birth and consolidation of Galician judo of competition, to the expansion of schools in colleges and clubs, and to the creation of a methodology that combines martial arts, self-defense and personal development.
Bernardo He remembers his first steps in the sport with a smile that mixes nostalgia and pride. “In my area I already practiced judo, but it all really started when I arrived for military service,” he says in conversation with Fifteen thousand.
During his training, the sergeant in charge of sports turned out to be a judo teacher, and that encounter changed the course of his life. “He asked him who played soccer in the first division. Nobody. Then he offered to try out for Racing de Ferrol for those who played soccer. And from there, everything started to fall into place.“, he recalls.
The Military discipline and sports practice were intertwinedand Bernardo soon became a reference, going from Galician champion to emerging star in national competitions.
The young Romay lived a unique experience: assigned as a nurse in a military hospital to train and participate in self-defense courses for officershe enjoyed a schedule that allowed him to dedicate the morning to the consultation and the rest of the day to judo.
“I don’t send a monitor to entertain the children, I send a monitor to teach judo and self-defense”
“It was a dream. Just I dedicated myself to training“, he says. In that environment he discovered that the passion for sport was not just about competing, but about teaching, sharing and creating a project that would last beyond oneself.
His jump to national competition came quickly. “I was champion of Spain military of my weight and of all categories. That was the door for them to find me a job in Ferrol, in Astano, and continue with my training while working as a draftsman,” he says. Life taught him that constant effort and discipline bring opportunities, and that each step, no matter how small it may seem, is part of a bigger path.
The return to A Coruña
It was in A Coruña where Romay consolidated his project: the creation of the Judo Club Coruña, a space that was born from the combination of school clubs and gyms, its technical knowledge and its ability to organize, teach and motivate.
From the beginning, his vision was clear: “I don’t send a monitor to entertain the childrenI send a monitor to teach judo and self-defense.” For Bernardo, sports teaching had to go beyond technique: it was also psychological training, development of resilience and learning about life.
His methodology incorporated judo, Karate, Aikido and Jiu-Jitsu. Each discipline contributed something different: Karate the attacking power, Judo the hand-to-hand combat and projections, Aikido the fluidity of movements and control of the opponent, and Jiu-Jitsu the synthesis of all of them.
“We want everyone to have the same quality, whether it is a private or public school, because training is a right, not a privilege”
“If you mix all that well, you get a complete martial art,” he says with conviction. For him, The true strength of a practitioner is not only in the technique, but in the ability to get up after every fall, to train with discipline and to face adversity with determination.
The Judo Club Coruña soon became a benchmark. From the first students in Maristas and Dominicos to the expansion to schools such as Esclavas, Salesianos, Cristo Rey, Labaca and Concepción Arenal, the project grew with a clear philosophy: quality training regardless of the context.
Each school followed the same technical and pedagogical standards, ensuring that teaching was uniform and rigorous. “We want everyone to have the same quality, whether it is a private or public school, because training is a right, not a privilege,” says Romay.
The impact of their work is reflected in the results: Galician, national championships and even international medals. “We had qualified for the Olympics: Vitorino González, Roberto Naveira, Luis Ángel Otero… and national medalists like Alex Sanmartín, third in the world in Paris. It was a spectacular takeoff of judo in Galicia“, remembers Bernardo. And not only in competition; his educational work has allowed thousands of young people to learn discipline, perseverance and self-control.
The teaching of judo, according to Romay, is inseparable from teaching of life. Every blow, every fall, every key is also a lesson in resilience. “When I tell children that even if they fall, they get up, it is not an empty phrase. It is the essence of what we do: not give up, correct mistakes and move forward. That is true invincibility,” he says. For him, champions are not only those who get on the podium, but also those who learn to handle pressure, frustration and daily effort.
The key: family
Romay’s work would not have been possible without the involvement of his family. His wife managed the administration of the club, his daughters learned judo and collaborated as instructors, and his sons-in-law were involved in sports projects. “My family has accompanied me at all times. Thanks to them I was able to fully dedicate myself to teaching and training,” he emphasizes. Romay’s life is, to a large extent, a collective project, a shared effort where each member has contributed their talent and dedication.
“When I tell children that even if they fall, they get up, it is not an empty phrase. It is the essence of what we do: do not give up, correct mistakes and move forward. That is true invincibility”
Bernardo Romay’s dedication is not only technical, but also family and community. His wife, daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren are actively involved in the club. and in sports activities, creating an environment of learning, support and coexistence.
“My family It has allowed me to give my best every day. Everything we are and have achieved is the result of joint effort,” he says. His experience shows that passion for sports, teaching and life is multiplied when shared with those who accompany you.
Working with security forces
In addition, Bernardo has worked with special security forces, such as the Civil Guard and Customs Surveillance, training agents in self-defense and martial arts. For ten years he trained special groups, ensuring they were prepared for complex interventions.
“They trained in a gym with me, learning techniques and strategies that they would later apply in their work. It was an enriching experience for everyone,” he recalls.
The discipline, concentration and precision required by judo thus translate into useful skills outside the tatami.in situations of real risk.
Everyday life sets the demands
Day-to-day life at his gym is demanding and meticulous. Bernardo organizes classes from early in the morning until late at night, combining judo, Jiu-Jitsu, self-defense, physical preparation and competitions. Each student receives personalized attention: “If someone is injured, we adapt the training. It is not a question of demanding for the sake of demanding, but of teaching and improving safely.” Its pedagogical approach combines technical rigor, strategy and emotional development, creating an environment where discipline and motivation coexist with trust and respect.
Bernardo’s teaching also focuses on continuity and progression. Every movement, every technique, every lesson is linked to the next. “Everything that does not have continuity has no progress. We teach one gesture, then another, and then we combine them all. This is how students really learn,” he explains. The club’s philosophy is based on preparing students for any challenge, inside and outside of competition, and on cultivating values such as patience, perseverance and resilience.
Romay has witnessed how his students grow and become leaders. Some, like Fernando Ulloa, have been linked to judo for more than 45 years, others combine professional careers with training, and many have continued the family tradition, teaching new generations.
“Anything that does not have continuity has no progress. We teach one gesture, then another, and then we combine them all. This is how students truly learn”
“It’s very rewarding see that what we started with enthusiasm has become a legacy that lasts“, he states. Each medal, each championship and each black belt achieved are a reflection of joint work between instructor and student, where effort, technique and strategy meet passion and dedication.
Romay’s approach It also integrates self-defense and applied psychology. Each lesson is designed to teach how to react to real situations: anticipating an attack, staying calm under pressure and solving problems under stressful conditions.
“We use self-defense as a pedagogical tooland judo as a technical base. “This is how students learn to move, react and protect themselves,” he explains. The constant practice of these techniques develops reflexes, confidence and self-assurance, skills that are applied both in daily life and in competition.
The legacy of Bernardo Romay has transformed the practice of judo in Galicia. From the first school clubs to competition teams, through the formation of special forces, its methodology and philosophy have left their mark on thousands of people. The city of A Coruña, together with Ferrol and other Galician towns, have become benchmarks of quality and excellence in the teaching of judo and martial arts.
For Bernardo, Every day is an opportunity to teach, learn and share. His routine includes morning self-defense classes, technical and tactical training sessions, physical preparation, monitoring competitions and organizing activities for his students.
“The gym doesn’t stop. There is always someone training, there is always work to do. “That is the life I chose and the one that makes me happy,” he says with the satisfaction of someone who has found his purpose.
The importance of resilience and perseverance
Romay too reflects on the importance of resilience and perseverance: “To be invincible, it is not enough to win; you have to learn to get up after each fall. If you lose, you train again the next day. That is true invincibility.” His words reflect not only a teaching method, but an approach to life that has guided generations of athletes and citizens.
“We use self-defense as a pedagogical tool, and judo as a technical basis. This is how students learn to move, react and protect themselves”
Over more than five decades, Bernardo Romay has built more than just a club: has created a community, a legacy and a philosophy. From local championships to the training of national and international champions, his work has taken Galician judo to the top. The combination of discipline, technique, pedagogy and humanity has marked all those who have gone through his classes.
Today, at more than 70 years old, Bernardo continues training, teaching and sharing his experience. His students range from young people just starting out in judo to older adults looking to stay active and learn self-defense. Every day, your gym is a reflection of your life: constant movement, continuous learning, and a commitment to excellence.
For him, Teaching has no end, and every day is an opportunity to transmit knowledgecorrect mistakes and foster resilience. The passion for judo, self-defense and training complete people continues to be its driving force. “As long as I can teach, train and share, I will continue. That is my life, and I wouldn’t change it for anything,” he concludes.
