Kent Closed Championships 2009

Tonbridge Judo Club struck gold at the Kent Closed Championships held at Dartford High Performance Centre last weekend with all 11 of the TJC competitors returning with a medal and a place on the Kent Squad.

The championships are a qualifying event for a squad to represent Kent at the inter-county championships in May and are always a good stepping stone for future national players.

This was a big breakthrough for TJC as three of its former junior players were making their debut in the senior open class for over 16-year-olds. All the senior coaches present had every confidence in the rising stars.

First to get off to a great start was Frazer Chamberlain, aged 17, who recently got his black belt and was fighting at –73kg. Chamberlain’s first contest was against a very experienced member of the British Master’s Squad. With everything to prove, and nothing to lose, Chamberlain fought out of his skin and controlled the contest in a very mature and experienced manner.

This proved to be the start of an outstanding day as all four of Chamberlain’s opponents were swept aside. His final contestant was dispatched in less than one minute. TJC chief coach Chris Bowles noted that Chamberlain’s groundwork skills were particularly strong.

Next up was Andrew Panayi (16) fighting in the highly competitive –60kg class in what could have proved to be one of his toughest tests to date. However, the result showed that the hard work and dedication that this player is showing is paying off.

In the semi-final Panayi came up against TJC’s James Sparks (16) who was fighting unbelievably well. This proved to be one of Panayi’s toughest fights but his maturity and age advantage saw him through to the final.

It was on the cards that Panayi would come up against national squad player and old adversary Michael Stewart of Dartford Judo Club in the final. Both Panayi and Stewart started very cautiously but after 90 seconds Panayi had a breakthrough and in a flurry of attacks scored with a fantastic technique for the maximum ten points to be crowned Kent senior champion.

Also making his debut in the seniors was James Sparks. Competing for the first time at senior level James showed put on a first class display of attacking and very open judo captivating the crowd with some spectacular techniques and foot sweeps.

Fighting in the under 16 junior section at –38kg George Cullum (13) was a class above the rest of the competitors and this really showed when he beat all of his opponents by the maximum score of ippon. Cullum is fast becoming an accomplished member of the performance squad and will get his chance to prove himself on the international circuit very shortly when he goes to Spain.

Junior Photos to come soon !

Taking gold in the –34 kg category was the bright and bubbly Tommy Chambers (11). The diminutive Chambers came up against some formidable opponents but this made no difference to the young fighter’s determination to win. In the final Tommy held his 15-year-old opponent securely to take a maximum score of ten.

Scarlett English, aged 13, was fighting out of her normal weight group (-52kg) and unfortunately had to withdraw due to injury but was awarded the gold medal. Bowles said: “I feel sure that Scarlett will bounce back from this injury as she is a valued member of TJC’s performance squad. Not only does she conduct herself fantastically well on the mat but is a credit to the club off it as well.”

Making her first appearance at the Kent Closed was Jemima Yeats-Brown, age 13, who won a gold in the -57kg category. “Jemima will be a valued member of the Kent team,” commented Bowles.

A silver medal went to a much improved Dominic Morton (12) in the –38kg category. Morton gave a great display of throwing judo which the spectators at this event were greatly appreciative of.

Fighting in the –27kg class and the flyweight in the team was Lara Huxley aged nine. Huxley may be the smallest fighter in the squad but makes up for it with a tremendous amount of grit and determination. This paid off with a fantastic performance to take the silver medal in a hotly contested category.

Enrico Atkinson (11) had just moved up to the –50kg class where he was guaranteed to have a tough time much older competitors. However, he proved to the coaches that he is fast approaching the stage where he will be travelling abroad with the performance squad. Bowles said, “There is beyond any doubt a very bright future for this gifted player. Taking the silver medal was a good stepping stone for the future.”

Fighting in the –46kg category Harry Try really deserved to be in the final shake-up and should take a lot from this experience as he is new to the weight and age class. In the round robin Try beat the eventual gold medal winner and so was a little disappointed to come away with the bronze medal.

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