MARTIN JUST MISSES OUT

21 March 2008



Judo: Selection for the European Cadet Championships has narrowly eluded Tonbridge Judo Club's James Martin, who gave an inspired performance at the European Trials held at the Sheffield Institute of Sport, last Saturday.

The trials were held to determine who will go forward to compete in a series of international competitions held in Italy, Spain and Poland before the Great Britain team is selected for the European Cadet Championships taking place in Bosnia in July.

The 15-year-old Mascalls School pupil was placed second but only after he showed his true class in winning the first pool in the under 50kg category with an "amazing performance of first class judo" according to coach Chris Bowles.

Despite beating the current national champion Aaron Turner with a convincing seven point score, Martin had to face him again in a fight off.

With just eleven seconds to go on the clock, the young fighter made an uncharacteristic error and gave his opponent an advantage allowing him to take the final contest.

But Bowles believes there is still a chance Martin could represent Britain in the summer. Turner is considerably taller than Martin and will struggle to remain at the same weight for the competition in July: "James was unfortunate but the battle is not over," he said. "I feel he may gain the European spot if Aaron Turner is unable to make the category."

Meanwhile, Tonbridge Judo Club's other competitive players continue to go from strength to strength as demonstrated at last weekend's age banded championships in Clacton-On-Sea where a nine-strong squad triumphed with seven medals. The BJA two-star event attracted some 250 players from top clubs around the South East and Midlands. This did not deter 10-year-old Enrico Atkinson, of St Augustine's School, who convincingly won all four of his fights to gain gold in the -42kg category for 12 years and under.

Silver medals in the same group went to 11-year-old Scarlett English, of Erith School, ( - 48kg) who fought tenaciously but was defeated in the final. Ten-year-old Tommy Chambers, of Hartley Primary School, also put in a fine performance but had to settle for silver after his last fight in the -30kg category went to time and his contestant won on points.

Dominic Morton, aged 10 of Hextable Primary School, did well to win silver as he just tipped the scales into the -38kg category and was fighting at the bottom of his weight band. Making his debut at a competition of this calibre was nine-year-old Roman Marshall, of Stonegate Junior School, who was placed fifth in the -30kg category. Ten-year-old Harry Try also fought hard at - 38kg but was denied early on by a disputed refereeing decision.

Rising star Dean Garlick won a silver medal after beating old adversary England squad player Charlie Davis but losing the gold on overall points score. The 15-year-old Judd School pupil was fighting at -46kg in a group for 12-16-year-olds.

In the same group was 13-year-old Oakwood School pupil Sam Greig who battled it out for bronze in the -55kg category. Last up was Hayesbrook pupil James Sparks (15) who put in a fine performance to take bronze at -55 kg in the open category. Coaches Colin Eldridge, Andy Morton and Dick Marcroft accompanied the squad.

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