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Judo Stars prove they are a match for all!
(Tonbridge Courier headline - 5th December 2008)
Click here to see more Photos from tournament
Tonbridge Judo Club notched up an impressive tally of trophies
at the first Harris Annual Tournament, last weekend, which attracted national
standard competitors from as far afield as Newcastle, as well as teams from
Russia, France and the Channel Islands.
Twelve TJC fighters took part in the event and returned home with two gold
medals, three silvers and five bronzes. Staged at the Royal Artillery Barracks
in Woolwich this open tournament was particularly tough, as it was not
age-banded.
This did not faze Benenden pupil Jemima Yeats-Brown who was in superb form.
Fighting at –52kgs in the junior girls, the 13-year-old took apart a national
standard field of considerably older girls to win gold with some devastating
throws for ippon (maximum score of ten).
Chief TJC coach Chris Bowles commented: “This will stand her in good stead for
the forthcoming Midland Area and North West Championships where all at the club
are looking forward to seeing Jemima co-opted on to the national squad.”
Another highlight was 15-year-old Hayesbrook pupil James Sparks fighting in the
junior boys –55kg category. Sparks swept everybody aside with major scores from
start to finish to gain what appeared to be a relatively comfortable first place
and a well-deserved gold. ‘This is testament to the way in which James is
applying himself at present and I expect similar results in the future,”
remarked Bowles.
Silver medals were collected by Paul Crouch, Andrew Panayi and Frazer
Chamberlain and all three players were in fantastic form. Crouch, aged 15, a
pupil at Uplands Community College, just missed taking gold after battling
against a player from the renowned Pinewood Judo Club, despite the fact he had
stepped up a weight to the –60kg junior boys.
Panayi and Chamberlain, aged 16 and 17 respectively, had an even more daunting
task ahead as they were fighting in the formidable senior section. Chamberlain
fought superbly to get through to the final and was winning by a Yuko (one
point) when he was caught and thrown for ten by his Russian opponent.
“Competing against senior men at this young age is a fair task but one they
coped with in great style and with determination,” said Bowles. “And this is
what makes both of these players fantastic 2012 prospects.”
A clutch of bronze medals went to Lara Huxley (9), George Cullum (11), Enrico
Atkinson (11), Dean Garlick (15) and Michael Musker (14). In the junior girl’s
category, Bidborough School pupil Huxley made her debut at –28kgs in her first
event with older, more experienced national standard medallists.
“This was a step up in weight and class for this fiery competitor and securing a
third place in this tournament has given the coaches at TJC a lot to think
about,” said Bowles.
Sevenoaks pupil Musker was fighting at –60kgs, Judd pupil Garlick at –50kgs
while national medallist Atkinson, from Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys,
moved up into the –46 kg group. “They were all in tremendous form but were
either new to the weight category or training through this event to prepare for
the Welsh Open,” said Bowles.
Just missing out on medal places were 11-year-olds Tommy Chambers in fifth place
(-34kgs) and Harry Try in seventh place (-42kgs). “Both of these performance
squad fighters were the youngest and the lightest in their respective categories
but displayed fantastic throwing techniques and a great attitude and tenacity.
They deserved to be on the rostrum,” said Bowles.
The impressive trophies were sponsored by the London’s famous Budokwai Club and
presented by Olympic silver medallist Ray Stevens and British Judo Association
technical director Andrew Moshanov.
TJC coaches Bowles, Dick Marcroft, Colin Eldridge and Kevin Crickmar agreed that
the medal tally reflected the dedication of the performance squad over the past
few years.
