Kent Junior International championships and National Team championships.
Tonbridge Judo Club was in magnificent form at the weekend when a team of ten players and three coaches descended on the National Sports Centre at Crystal Palace for the Kent Junior International Championships.
This high level competition attracted more than 1,000 competitors from all over the UK and Europe and TJC coach Chris Bowles described fighting conditions as “very difficult”. This did not stop eight-year-old Claremont School pupil Jack Beeny who got off to an incredible start winning a bronze medal in the under 27kg red belt section. This was only Jack’s second big event but he managed to win five out of his six contests.
Next up was Judd School pupil Dean Garlick, aged 14, fighting in the red and yellow belt section at under 46kg. Dean showed maturity beyond his years winning all of his contests with fantastic skill and style to take the gold medal.
James Martin, also 14, stayed in fine form as he devastated a national standard field with the maximum score of ippon in every contest to secure the gold medal in the under 46kg category, blue and brown belt section. James had not long returned from the WCSP International Judo Tournament in Venray, Holland where he took third place for England in a very competitive category.
There were also creditable performances from Paul Crouch, Enrico Atkinson, James Sparks, Michael Musker, Luke Browning, Ryan Silvester and Sam Greig. Chris Bowles said, “I cannot believe how well these lads have done. Of those that didn’t medal we were either fifth or seventh which at an event of this calibre is an amazing achievement.”
James Martin and Enrico Atkinson earned more gold medals for Tonbridge Judo Club when they took part in the recent National Team Championships in Crawley as members of the winning Southern Area team.
The team is made up of the best players in the southern region, which includes London, Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire. James was the team’s top point scorer winning four out of his five fights and drawing the other. Enrico, at 10 the youngest member of the team, won two out of five fights narrowly losing the fifth in the final.
TJC coaches Chris Bowles, Dick Marcroft and Colin Eldridge would like to extend a welcome to any young aspiring players. For fun or competitive judo ring Chris Bowles on 01732 838532 or visit the new website www.tonbridgejudo.co.uk.
Follow this link for photos from competition