Joy for judo players

STEVENAGE Judo Club had a successful recent competition at Berkhamsted. It was the British Schools Judo Association Hertfordshire Open with more than 300 entrants from all over the country. Stevenage entered 14 players and a dozen won medals – one gold,

STEVENAGE Judo Club had a successful recent competition at Berkhamsted.

It was the British Schools' Judo Association Hertfordshire Open with more than 300 entrants from all over the country.

Stevenage entered 14 players and a dozen won medals - one gold, three silvers and eight bronzes in a highly regarded three-star tournament.

This was exceptional as six of those entered had no previous competition experience.

Those taking part are pictured (back row, left to right): Sudhir Menued 13 years under-55 kgs bronze; Josie Adaway 13 years over-52 kgs bronze; Shane Thresher 14 years under-50 kgs bronze; Roburt Rooke 13 years under-55 kgs silver; Danny Church 14 years under-55 kgs bronze.

Shown in the middle row are: Darren Fisher 17 years under-73 kgs gold; Mathew Gould 14 years under-66 kgs silver.

And in the bottom row: Jake Hepburn nine years under-27 kgs bronze; Nathan Gardner eight years under-27 kgs; Liam Wickham 12 years under-38 kgs silver; Sam Donkin eight years under-27 kgs bronze; Kayleigh Harris nine years under-28 kgs bronze.

Not pictured are Thomas Chandler 10 years under-42 kgs bronze and Domonic Brewster eight years under-38 kgs.

A special tournament award of a gold trophy for Spirit of Judo was awarded to Jake Hepburn in his first competition. The judge praised him for a highly technical move noteworthy of a Dan grade black belt.

* Stevenage Judo Club is open to all aspiring players.

They train on Mondays and Wednesdays (6.30-8pm) at Camps Hill Junior School in Chells Way in Stevenage. Newcomers are always welcome to the club.