Young Judo Club

2002 Invitation Judo Championships

Swallows Leisure Centre

Sittingbourne

Kent

Saturday April 6^th saw the Annual YJC Championships once again being a success with nearly 200 competitors participating on three mats. This year’s competition attracted people from as far a field as Scotland and Belgium, the Judo was of an excellent standard. For the first time at this competition the juniors were divided into ages as well as weights. Although this increased the time of the competition it proved very popular with competitors and coaches. The competition started at 9am and finished at 5pm. The Swallows is the ideal venue for these types of tournaments with its pull out seating, bars, café and swimming pool in the complex and proves very popular with competitors and parents alike. Another new innovation from the Tournament organiser Keith Costa was to put the competitors entry fee up to £10 but charge nothing for spectators, this proved quite a saving for those who several spectators and for large families.

For the first time in many years there were a lot of people complaining about refereeing decisions and competition format some in fact very vocally which for a short while caused a hostile atmosphere. Nearly all complaints were from parents, who neither practised Judo nor had Judo referees experience, I am sorry to say this type of hostile atmosphere is not a good example for young children. The YJC doesn’t tolerate this type of behaviour from its own members.

The Full results can be seen on our web site www.youngjudoclub.co.uk our own club results are listed below.

Danny Carrott at 15 years of age put a very good performance winning his age group and a silver in the Men’s under 78k class in this event he met a 3rd Dan from Belgium who had dispensed with all his opponents in seconds, Danny managed to go to nearly the whole distance before being beaten. His performance earned him his first senior grade a Brown Belt a remarkable achievement for a 15 year old.

Anthony Jackson missed fighting in his age group and for the first time decided to fight in the Senior Class winning a very creditable Silver. Anthony now needs to move up to Martin Clarke’s Class of Seniors.

43-year-old Dave Hatch once again proved his worth his unorthodox techniques make him a winner. He took Silver in the Veterans class only losing to fellow club mate Colin Carrott. Dave beat a Brown Belt and a 3^rd Dan Black Belt this was enough to earn him his Brown Belt.

If anyone is interested in Judo they should contact Keith Costa 01795 426784

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