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Judo Players back in Action
Dean Garlick (left) pictured in action at the NIA
Tonbridge Judo Club was back in action on Sunday when the competition season reopened with one of the toughest events on the British judo calendar, the annual Heart of England Judo Championships held at Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena.
This year’s contest, a nationally recognised point scoring event, attracted more than 1,000 male and female, youth and senior competitors aged 12 years and over including some of the best young judo players from Britain, Holland and Belgium.
Despite some courageous and skilful displays of judo there were no medals for the Tonbridge contingent on this occasion. Coach Chris Bowles said: “We were really pleased with the performance of individual players as we used the competition as a stepping stone for the nationals and experimented with weight classes.
“Although we had hoped to have maybe captured at least two of the weight classes, the Tonbridge fighters were plagued by injury problems. Of the 10 entrants that took part in this tournament, five players came fifth and one seventh. Most of the players that fought for TJC were in the prestigious C and D band categories which qualify for the European Championships demonstrating how highly regarded a fifth place is.
“A repeat performance at the national championships of this calibre would qualify those five players for the European trials to be held early next year. “
The notable fifth place performances included 15-year-old James Sparks of Hayesbrook School who came up against five national players in his half of the draw. He narrowly lost to Carl Sweet of the Midlands by the smallest penalty score.
James Martin was fighting for the first time in the under 18 D band at –55kg. This was a massive test for the international player, who is aged just 15, and a big step up in weight and class. He also had to contend with a groin injury that has hampered him for more than a month.
Going through the early rounds Martin produced the class that was expected of him eliminating some very experienced national standard players, including Michael Stewart of Dartford Judo Club. He eventually lost to Jack Jones from Wales, who went on to take the gold, leaving him in fifth place.
Dean Garlick, also 15, showed experience beyond his years when he reached the semi-final of the extremely tough -55kg weight category in the C band. Unfortunately Garlick narrowly lost a hard fought battle with a Lithuanian fighter. This put him in for the contest for the bronze medal, which he forfeited by a koka, the smallest of scores.
Another fifth place went to Elizabeth Draper. Fighting in the –52kg B band she produced her finest performance to date narrowly losing to the Welsh champion in the fight for the bronze medal. Bowles, who coached Elizabeth on the day, said it was an inspirational performance from someone who is just breaking onto the national judo scene.
This was the first year for Michael Musker (13) in the C band category at –60kgs. Musker proved beyond doubt that he is a worthy member of the World Class Start Programme by defeating some quality judo players who were a year older than him but eventually had to settle for fifth place. Musker has everything to prove at the national championships in Sheffield next month as his coach Dick Marcroft believes he will be a European trial contender.
Andrew Panyi was fighting in the highly competitive –60kg D band category where he showed that he now has the potential to become national champion. Coach Andy Morton was very impressed with the progress that Panyi has made in the past six months. Both physically and technically, he is a superb player and could possibly be a 2012 Olympic contender.
Notable performances also came from James Draper, Dominic Morton, George Callum and Scarlett English. Bowles said all credit must go to the support team of coaches who have given up weekend after weekend to devote their time and expertise to the preparation of these players.
