What a great way to start the year! Five of our troop came along to battle in Belgium and they came up against some tough opposition from Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Poland. Alaniese, Dan V and Erik were unable to log a result, although all fought very well. Mason won his first contest convincingly, but then lost in the quarter final and in the repercharge, to place 7th.
Christopher had a fantastic day, however, seeing off challenges from Belgian, Dutch and German competitors, all in gritty contests. He then lost in the semi to a strong Polish left-hander, but came back well to dominate in the bronze medal contest, winning with several scores on the board.
Then in the evening of the same day and at the same venue a separate senior ne-waza tournament was scheduled. Daniel and Alaniese fancied having a go and both put in good perforamnces. Alaniese finished in 5th place.
This was an excellent event for our developing fighting squad. In the red belt section Michael Rice and Oscar topped their resepctive groups and each came away with a gold medal. Mateusz also fought well in Michael's group and earned himself a place in the final. The contest between Michael and Mateusz was an exciting affair and Mateusz was a worthy recipient of the silver. Lilia's silver was also fantastic, as it was only her second ever competition. There were bronzes for Sasha and Sammy too, very pleasing as it was Sammy's debut.
In the yellow belt section Jack came away with a great gold and Damian took silver. Well done to the whole team.
PS Nekoda fought in a grading at the same venue and won all 3 contests by ippon, to earn herself 15 points towards her 3rd Dan.
Harkirat had a fantastic weekend... No medal on either day, but the fact that she earned selection for the senior event is in itself a major achievement, at only the age of 16. On Junior day she placed 5th, just losing out on a place in the final pool. She also earned some points towards her 2nd Dan. Then on Sunday in the senior event she fought members of the British Olympic Team and gave them a serious run for their money. She was tough, determined and intelligent and despite placing 5th on the Sunday too, she had a very positive experience.
Nekoda was our other entrant in the Junior (u20)event, her first event since coming back from injury last Summer. She fought with composure and confidence and won her first 6 contests by ippon; impressive stuff! Her final was a much more challenging contest, but at the end of Golden Score Nekoda was given the decision and became British Junior Champion again.
The girls were outstanding ambassadors for EJC and I am looking forward to being with them for the exciting year ahead.
On the Monday John Hough was up in the Masters section. He fought some of his best ever competitive judo and despite an early round loss, he clawed his way back through the repercharge and won the bronze in a contest he dominated from the outset. This is John's first major International medal, the first of many we hope.
Then on the Tuesday Harkirat fought in the u20 Junior section. Despite a good draw and great attitude the effect of the British Trials weekend was clear. Harkirat was unable to gain a rostrum spot and placed 5th.
This event is often a bogey event for us, but this year was different. Each fighter performed well. Ali A, Christopher, Ibrahim and Daniel V were all on great form but fell short of the podium. Blixa and Little Blake each placed 5th after some tough battles. Big Blake, Mason, Eliot and Nekoda all then consolidated their national medal winning performances of recent weeks and months, winning bronze, silver, silver and gold respectively. Onward and upward!
Competing in the Netherlands is always tough, against strong, experienced judoka, often from semi-pro clubs and sports schools. However, EJC proved that they can rumble with the best, with the team winning a large number of matches.
Sofija won 5 straight contests to take gold at her new weight and 3 of those bouts went to a referee's decision - never easy. Little Blake was on good form, beating a boy from the Turkish national team and eventually placing 5th, almost in the medals. Chris was on excellent form too, winning his first 2 matches by ippon before losing out in the later rounds. Well done also to Mason, Ali A, Michael O' (international debut), Damian and Luke D for their great judo. It was another fun trip abroad and now we look forward to the Malta Senior Open in March.
An excellent day for the tiny Mighties. Sofija had 4 contests, winning all, even the very tough final, to take a great gold. Michael O'Toole and Damian both fought with heart and good decision-making skills and won silvers for their trouble. Omar won a bronze and Jack-Jack placed 5th after winning early contests, but losing in the bronze medal match.
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The girls were on the case today, in the hunt for medals and for GB ranking points. Nekoda and Julia both contesting the women's u57kg group, fought with skill to take a gold and bronze respectively. A great medal for Julia in her debut for EJC.
Well done to the EJC team who attended this tough national ranking event. Our 5 fighters gave of their best and came away with 2 fifth places and a bronze medal for their efforts. Erik had 5 challenging contests and winning 3 out of 5 was good enough for 5th place and some ranking points to boot. Big Blake repeated this result, giving him a placing at each of the National events in this cycle soa far. Mason won the bronze after an epic last match, winning on a split decision at the end of golden score, against the talented Red Phoenix boy.
Christopher and Daniel V also fought well, but no placings for them this time.
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Above: Mason, relieved, with his medal at the end of the event.
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