FIVE STAR ATKINSON EXCELS IN SWEDEN
23 May 2008 Tonbridge Courier
JUDO A squad from Tonbridge Judo Club competed at the Budo Nord
International Cup in Malmo, Sweden recently and returned with an impressive
collection of medals from this international tournament.
The annual event attracts all of the Scandinavian countries plus teams from
Hungary, Germany, France and Spain and to win a medal is fantastic grounding for
any prospective young international fighters.
TJC fielded a strong squad and showing the way to win in great style was
national silver medallist Enrico Atkinson, aged 11, who won all five of his
contests. Atkinson showed that he was the class act in the –42kgs category and
taking the gold and standing on the number one rostrum seemed quite natural to
the young fighter.
Next up was the flyweight of the team Tommy Chambers, aged 10, weighing in at
under 30kgs and proving to his coaches that his place on the team was well
deserved. Tommy took the same route to the final as Enrico, again winning all
four of his contests in a convincing style. The final proved to be no different
and it was good to see how much he enjoyed being on the number one podium.
Fighting for the first time abroad, Scarlett English, aged 12, was in the under
48kgs class where she showed fantastic ability and range of technique. This
proved to be the deciding factor in Scarlett reaching the final. Unfortunately,
on this occasion her opponent’s experience at international level proved to be
the deciding factor and she took silver.
The other silver medal was Kalum Blanks, aged 10. Once again this was an
impressive display of fast, free-flying judo and he reached the final with
comparative ease. During the final, Kalum dominated the fight but dropped his
guard for a split second and allowed his opponent to score a koka (three points)
with ten seconds left on the clock.
The two bronze medal places went to Dominic Morton, aged 11, and Harry Try, aged
11, both competing in their first international tournament. Both players were
new to their weight categories and gave away valuable weight in their category,
which proved to be a deciding factor.
Of all the members of TJC who took part in the competition and training camp
after, coaches Chris Bowles and Andrew Morton were unbelievably pleased at the
dedication and hard work these children are devoting to their sport.
There was further international success for TJC member James Martin recently
when he
represented England in two Cadet International tournaments held in Portugal &
the Czech Republic. The 15-year-old Mascalls School pupil won a bronze Medal in
Portugal and his next competition with the GB Cadet Squad will be in Berlin at a
major European tournament in June.
TJC also competed at the annual Southern Area Inter-Competition team
championships in Worthing. On this occasion the club was in a very strong
position having fifty per cent of the boy’s team representing Kent. They were:
Tommy Chambers (-30kg); Dominic Morton (-38kg); Enrico Atkinson –42kg; James
Martin (-50kg); Andrew Panayi (-60kg).
In the contest that followed against Hampshire, Sussex and Surrey all of the
club’s players fought in a very professional manner. The boy’s team was
victorious in all of its contests against the three other counties coming out on
top with the gold medal.
Also competing for the girls’ Kent squad was Scarlett English representing her
county for the first time. Scarlett fought hard all day and was part of the
silver medal winning team. This hopefully will stand her in good stead to
represent the South of England at the national team championships.
Two senior club coaches at TJC recently graded. Both were given honorary life
membership of the club last year for their long involvement. Dick Marcroft went
up to 4th Dan while Jon Pulley went up to 2nd Dan.
Anybody interested in taking part in the Olympic sport of judo for competitions
or recreation should contact Chris Bowles (6th Dan former Olympian) on 01732
838532
