Triple gold joy for club

TONBRIDGE Judo Club continued its purple patch by picking up a host of medals at the Commonwealth Judo Championships in Cardiff.

LOOK OF A CHAMPION: Enrico Atkinson puts his best game face on

"It was phenomenal," coach Chris Bowles said. "One of our very best days. Aaron was absolutely amazing. He beat two men who are fighting in the Paris Grand Slam this week – two top senior men who are world ranked.

"He's one of the most unorthodox players I have ever trained, but he just wins. I can't put my finger on it. He's not the perfect athlete, but he just goes out and throws them. It's like scoring goals in football – it's the name of the game."

Bowles added: "He is going to be the best under 66kg player in the country in a couple of years. He will be at 2016."

George Cullum was first up, with fine wins against players from Wales and Northern Ireland. In the final he met a player from South Africa and was always in control, forcing his opponent to tap after a applying a strong strangle and taking the first medal for the club on the day. Next up was Atkinson. In the semi-final he beat the first of the South African players using his trademark foot sweep for ippon. As with Cullum, he fought a South African player in the final and while the fight went to time, he was always in control and took the second gold medal of the day. He followed that victory by winning the Midland Open.

"Enrico was just Enrico," Bowles said. "He's number one ranked. No-one can get near him. He is definitely European bound."

Cottom was the last Tonbridge cadet player of the day to compete. He was leading in his semi final against another South African player and with only a few seconds remaining was unfortunate to get caught, denying him a deserved place in the final, but securing the bronze.

The next day, the seniors took to the mat with Mia Cook James Martin and Aaron Turner. Cook was up first, winning against players from South Africa and Australia on her way to the final. She came up against a strong Canadian player and the fight went the full distance, but unfortunately she was not able to continue her winning streak taking the silver medal.

Martin was next, losing by a small score in his first fight to the eventual bronze medallist.

Unfortunately, he was not able to progress further in the repecharge. However, he made up for that disappointment by winning the North West Open, beating club-mate James Draper in the final. Turner was the last player to take to the mat and faced a tough Ghanaian with world ranking points in his first fight.

Not overawed by this, he won through, beating an Australian in the second round and a Canadian (with world ranking points), to gain a spot in the final. Here he faced an old adversary from Scotland, but he was not going to be denied and took the gold medal.

While Bowles was understandably delighted with his players, he also paid special tribute to the coaches at Tonbridge dojo.

"I'm so lucky to have these players," Bowles said. "They all work so hard. I have never known a group like it. We always used to nick a few medals, but now we're getting 15 at some events.

"I couldn't do it without the coaches. Colin Eldridge and Dick Marcroft have been magnificent."

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