The fighters from the club had another brilliant weekend’s competition-this time in Glasgow for the Scottish Open Junior and Senior. Saturday was the junior event and Camberley’s young fighters were on fire. Tom Williams (Ford) blazed his way to yet another gold at 81kg with five straight wins. He produced huge throws and strong groundwork to totally dominate his rivals. Not to be out done Frazer Chamberlain (Tonbridge) fought brilliantly to also win the gold at under 73kg. His final against a strong Belgian was a tense affair with Frazer showing increased tactical maturity to win it convincingly. In the same category Danny Finney also fought well losing only once in the semi-final and producing one of the throws of the day to take the bronze medal. The lightest member of the team, Sam Hughes at under 55kg, showed huge heart all day especially in his semi-final which he won on judge’s decision in golden score. Sam was out strengthed in the final against the British no.1 and earned the silver medal. Another silver went to new national champion Josh Butler at 90kg. Josh produced some great judo but lost a very exciting decisive match against a Norwegian international in golden score which denied him the gold. Robyn Irwin at 63kg also produced some good attacking judo. She won her first contest with a big throw to place her in the semi-final. Here she was beaten on the ground and faced the Welsh no. 1 for bronze. Robyn dominated throughout and was unlucky not to score in normal time. In golden score one mistake cost her the bronze medal and she had to settle for 5th place.
Sunday saw the senior event. Tomoko Kumamoto, Camberley’s Japanese judoka, dominated the field from start to finish winning the 70kg title. None of her four fights went over a minute and she showed real class to win the gold medal. Gareth Fairclough produced a solid performance at 60kg. He won his first two contests by maximum points but lost in the semi-final to a French international. He won his bronze medal contest convincingly-throwing and arm locking his domestic rival. Camberley’s junior fighters were not satisfied with the previous day and entered the senior event. Tom Williams made it to the semi-final at 81kgs with three big wins but could not reach the final. He recovered to win the bronze medal with two big scores. Frazer Chamberlain at 73kg also reached the senior semi-final but was beaten in groundwork by the Danish champion. His bronze medal contest was one of the most exciting of the day and saw Frazer narrowly lose in overtime against last year’s British Open champion. Josh Butler did well to win two fights and lost two to finish 7th in the senior 90kg category which was dominated by foreign internationals. Well done all.
