SURREY CLOSED CHAMPIONSHIPS
On Sunday a small group of the younger members of the club fought at the Surrey closed at Redhill.
First up were Harrison Howe and Dylan Kirk fighting in the u27Kgs red belt section. Harrison lost his first fight but then convincingly beat his next two opponents with throws for ippon to end up with silver. Dylan won his three fights quickly to take gold in his group.
Next up were Ruben Turner and Mathew Carter in the red belt u30Kgs and u34Kgs respectively. Both boys fought well from the start and won all their fights both picking up gold. Ruben showing good standing judo and ground work, and Matthew overcoming an opponent who he had lost to at the Surrey Youth Games.
Fighting later in the green and orange belt sections were TK who had been referring in the morning and Tom Lichter. Unfortunately TK only had one fight in his weight group which he won, then also got another win against a player fighting up so took gold.
Tom Lichter had three good fights and three good wins again taking the gold medal.
All in all a successful day out, 6 players fighting 5 gold’s and one silver.
HAMPSHIRE OPEN
Several CJC fighters fought in the Hampshire Open in Portsmouth on Sunday bringing home 2 silvers and a gold medal.
David Saran (-60kg) the 2014 Cadet Welsh Champion had three fights. His first fight he dominated his opponent and shortly after the first ‘hajime’ he threw for Ippon.
David’s second contest wasn’t so easy. His opponent scored a Yuko and shortly after followed this up with a Waza-ari. Is was not until the last 30seconds that the CJC fighter scored Ippon and booked his spot into the final. David put up a good fight in the final, however, this time he had to settle for silver after narrowly losing out in the final.
Ellie Kirby won two fights by ippon but lost out in her third to settle for the silver medal. Phoenix Govery-gray expected to fight in the under 12′s competition but with no one in her weight category she was moved up to the under 16′s! She fought brilliantly and bravely but was up against 15 year old England player’s whose experience was evident, however, that didn’t stop her winning one of her fights in a fantastic match and the other girls were very impressed with her – she was awarded a very well deserved gold medal for her own category.
