Worthing shine in national judo event

A number of Worthing’s fighters had only taken up judo eight weeks ago but the club took 20 fighters to the JFA UK event, which took place at London’s Sobell Centre.

In the senior section, Amy Boiling and Carl Boiling, both yellow belts, starred in their groups as they defeated brown belts along the way to be crowned national champions.

Gareth Sawyer, a yellow belt, took silver in his group and in the same group, James Langley, a white belt, gained bronze.

In the senior Dan grade pool, Ross Elliott picked up the bronze medal but a popped knee ruled out blue belt Phil Arnott.

Further success for the club came from Lara Horn, who was crowned junior girls’ national champion. In other pools, bronze medals went to Amy Mitchell, Sophie Olney, Esther Baglole and Morgan Stiles.

In the junior boys’ section, George Gould won silver and Finlay Woodason took bronze in the green belt pool.

Thomas Daniszewski took silver and Reece Cave picked up bronze in the white belt primary pool, while Riley Mitchell won bronze in another primary pool.

Worthing instructor Chris Cooper, fifth Dan, a former Welsh and British medallist and a multi-national champion, with more than 25 years’ coaching experience, said: “I’m proud of everyone that went to the championships. Our team was smart, clean and behaved in the true spirit of judo.

“They demonstrated some superb techniques and were well deserving of their medals.”

Cooper was joined by coaches Rob Elliott (4th Dan), Ross Elliott (1st Dan) and Steve Paine (2nd Dan) at the championships.

Worthing sensei Steve Paine was awarded his black belt 2nd Dan at the national championships. The grade was presented for his services to judo by president sensei Sampson Sampson 8th Dan and Cooper said the whole club was proud of Paine’s award.

Worthing started up just two years ago and now boasts more than 60 members, with training at Davison Leisure Centre in Worthing on Thursdays and in Angmering at the Worthing Modern Martial Arts Centre on Tuesdays.

Primary and junior sessions take place from 6pm to 7pm, with senior coaching from 7pm to 8pm.

For more information about the club, visit www.worthingjudoclub.co.uk.

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