Kendal Coloured Belt Competition – Sunday 2nd December
James Preston-Howes (11th Mon – Green belt U66) braved the long trip to Kendal looking to gain more valuable experience against high grade opponents. He was not to be disappointed and found himself in a tough pool of four with a blue belt (15th Mon) and two brown belts.
Having narrowly lost his first bout by a Yuko (5 points) in Golden Score, James came out strongly in his second fight to beat his next opponent by wazari (7 points) in a tough fight that ran the distance. James’ third fight was against an U66kg Kendal player, who had been moved down a weight to make up the pool. James started strongly and was soon a wazari up, however in the dying seconds his heavier, more experienced opponent, and the eventual Gold medalist, was able to rotate as James attempted a rear counter technique, and scored Ippon (10 points)to take the match.
James finished with the Bronze, which was a good result given the standard of the competition.
