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Golden Times for Judo Club
MEDAL DELIGHT - Gold Medal Winner Andrew Panyi (Left) and bronze medal winner Dean Garlic (Right) with coach Chris Bowles.
04 July 2008
Contact Sport: James Martin, of Tonbridge Judo Club, was once again on top form
at the Kent International Judo Championships held at the K2 Leisure Centre in
Crawley. Fifteen-year-old Martin, under-17 category, proved his class by winning
all three of his contests in emphatic style to take the gold medal in the -50kg
category.
This was his second gold in as many weeks and he is on course for the Heart of
England Championships in September, a step up which will need physical and
technical training.
Gold also came as no
surprise for 15-year-old Andrew Panyi who was fighting at -60kg and gave his
most polished performance to date.
Panyi was in a different class to all in this weight group and systematically
destroyed a class field of national champions and foreign competitors.
In the closely fought final, Panyi was a score down in the early part of the
contest but fought with great tenacity to break down his opponent and secured a
pin (hold down) for a maximum score of ippon.
The only girl fighting at these championships was Elizabeth Draper at -52kg.
Fighting hard all day and carrying a shoulder injury, Draper battled her way to
a bronze medal.
Bronze medals were also won by the following players: Enrico Atkinson, 11,
(-42kg), Kalum Blanks, 11, (-34kg), Dean Garlick, 15 (-50kgs) and Paul Crouch,
15, (-55kg). Fifth places went to 10-year-old Tommy Chambers (-30kg), plus James
Sparks and James Draper both aged 15. Draper and Sparks were fighting at -55kg,
but Sparks was moved up into the under-17 year group as preparation for the
Heart of England competition. Both players were unlucky not to have been on the
winners' rostrum. Unplaced on this occasion were 13-year-old Sam Greig (-55kg)
and Michael Musker (-60kg) who showed great determination throughout a very long
day.
Coaches also gave praise to Team Tonbridge, whose support was there until the
very end.
Anybody wishing to take part in the Olympic sport of judo for fun or
competitions should contact Chris Bowles on 01732 838532.
