SIX players from Dixton Judo Club have visited Samurai Judo Club in Kidderminster to participate in the GB Sasakawa Foundation Junior Open Competition. This was an unusual event because on this occasion the players had the opportunity to fight in a heavier weight category as well as their own. The British Judo Association rated this competition, which welcomed all levels of grades, a two star event.
Christopher Long, a newcomer to the sport, demonstrated a keen attitude by taking part in his first experience at competitive fighting. He bravely took part in four fights and battled hard against more experienced players.
Robert Flemming won one fight which ended in groundwork. He overcame his opponent with a strong hold-down technique.
Sara Garrett also won one fight with a ne-wasa hold-down technique.
Richard Nash tackled two weight category groups and won six of his eight fights, fighting confidently with opponents with a heavier weight advantage.
Jemma Lloyd focussed her aggression to win five fights from two different weight categories, demonstrating a good range of throws and hold-down techniques to overcome her opponents.
Claudia Craven tackled the under 57kg and the over 57kg. She won six out of nine fights, three of which were won with an inner thigh throw called Uchi-mata.
Results were: Claudia Craven - U57kg Gold plus 57kg Bronze; Jemma Lloyd - U36kg Silver, U44kg Silver; Sara Garrett - U33kg Gold; Richard Nash - U50kg Gold, U55kg Silver.
Club Coach John Keating was very proud of the standard of fighting from all his club members and was pleased with their combined achievement of winning seven medals at one event. The results clearly indicated that there was still exceptional talent in Wales and proved the valuable contribution that Welsh players could make, he said.