The Yaoki Dojo of Villagrande Strisaili, which collects successes one after another, was not born by chance but, like all studied and long-awaited dreams, from a passion that has its roots in the nineties. Today it is more than a sport, it is actually an educational and sporting project which, aimed at young people from Ogliastra, allows them to learn a lot and shine. It is led by Davide Scudu and Elisabetta Coccoda. «The Yaoki Dojo is the fruit of a passion that was born in 1996 – as Scudu explains. «I started with traditional Sardinian and Celtic wrestling, and then moved on to various martial arts and full contact combat sports. At a certain point we decided to specialize in Olympic combat sports, judo and Olympic wrestling, to popularize them in Ogliastra.” Even the name of the company is a declaration of intent. Yaoki comes from a Japanese nursery rhyme: nanakorobi yaoki, which literally means “fall seven times, get up eight”.
This is a principle that goes beyond sport and teaches that in real life the difference is not made by failing or not – because we all, for better or worse, fail at something from time to time. But what’s really important is how you react, how you accept those scraped knees and that burning sensation that must – must! – warm up for the next finish line. “It means never giving up, not only in sports but in life in general: in study, in work, in health.” The idea of opening a dojo in Villagrande was not accidental, but a dream nurtured for a long time. «Our dream has always been to open in Villagrande to give kids, through sport, the chance to grow up with healthy values. Thanks to maestro Raffaele Cocco of Silanus, who helped and encouraged us, this dream has become reality.” The project is based on the principles of judo and Olympic culture. «The Olympic values of judo – respect, courtesy, honor, modesty, friendship, courage, self-control and sincerity – promote individual improvement and collective well-being. It is a philosophy that fully reflects the Olympic spirit.” The activity is structured progressively and attentive to the age of children and teenagers. The little ones start with a playful path, made up of games and exercises useful for developing coordination and motor skills, while over time we move on to increasingly specific work on disciplines. Competitiveness is not an obligation, but a possibility. «If a boy decides to undertake this path, we try to teach him to aim very high. It must have an objective: only in this way can great things be achieved. And this also applies to life, work and study.” In this journey, the family has a fundamental role. «Parents must be allies of the teacher.
They must support their child with patience, encouraging him without forcing him.” When there are clear objectives and a support network, the company invests in a concrete way in its athletes. «We are committed both physically and economically: we invite highly renowned Olympic athletes and instructors to Villagrande, we invest in the training of instructors with regional federal updates and at the Olympic Center in Rome. We also collaborate with sports psychologists and athletic trainers.” Another strong aspect of the project is the link with Sardinia. «Our athletes are very attached to their roots: they know that they represent not only their country, but the whole of Sardinia». The results are starting to justify the work done. «In 2025 we achieved various regional podiums and also three bronze medals at a national level. It is a sign that we are on the right path, but in 2026 we will aim much higher.” For Scudu, however, this adventure is also a personal rebirth. «For me it’s as if I were starting from scratch: I study together with my students, I give vent to my creativity and I find feedback in what I do. It’s a lot of fun and it’s the fuel that drives me to do more and more.”
