Gold For Martin

Tonbridge Judo Club's James Martin stormed to the finals of the North West Open, at St Helen's, Merseyside, at the weekend, winning a gold medal and qualifying for the forthcoming European trials at Sheffield. This was a remarkable achievement as the 15-year-old Mascalls School pupil had been suffering from a debilitating sickness bug that had caused him to lose two kilos in weight.
    Coach Chris Bowles said Martin rested before the first fight, woke up half an hour before it started and then went on to beat three of the top Great Britain players in the under 50kg C band category.
    In the final, he came face to face with Max Stewart, whose father is former Olympic bronze medallist Dennis Stewart, but Martin dominated the contest from and won on a five-point score. This means he is now favourite to be selected by the British Judo Association for this summer's European Championships.
    The North West Open attracted 500 entries from top clubs around the country.
Tonbridge's Scarlet English, aged 11, was also in magnificent form, taking a gold medal in the A band -48kg category.
Enrico Atkinson, 10, from St Augustine's School, Tunbridge Wells, has now established himself as one of the country's up-and-coming stars.
    Atkinson swept aside all opponents in a very efficient manner until he came across an old rival who managed to sneak a marginal score.
Atkinson had looked sure to take the gold medal, but had to settle for a bronze in the -42kg A band category.
Coach Chris Bowles said Atkinson should take heart as he has a great future in the sport.
    There was another bronze medal for 15-year-old Judd School pupil Dean Garlick (-46kg) C band.
Garlick is now a consistent fighter on the national scene.
"It is just a matter of time before Dean is selected for the World Class Start Programme", said Bowles.
    Frasier Chamberlain, 16, of Sackville School, East Grinstead, was fighting in the D band -66kg category and in amazing form.
Taking a bronze medal at this event has established him as one of the country's leading fighters at this category with international tournaments ahead.
    Andrew Panayi, 15, was fighting in the -60kg C band and showing signs of reaching the final. However, he was denied after a controversial decision in which he came off worst.
Losing his next contest put Panayi in the fight for a bronze medal, though against the current British champion he fought courageously but finished in fifth place.
Also competing were Uplands Community College pupil Paul Crouch, 15, -50kg C band category, and Hayesbrook pupil James Sparks, 15, at -55kg.

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