2012 Flanders Judo Cup, Loomel,Belgium - 27 October 2012

This was a very tough competition. I won all my fights apart from one, which i lost by on a shidos (penalty) against the gold medalist. Nevertheless I was still happy with bronze as it wasnt easy to achieve.

2012 British Championships - Sheffield, 13 October 2012

Finals

Heart of England Championships, Walsall - 08 September 2012

2012 National Team Championship,Sheffield - 07 July 2012

Kent International Open 2012 - 23 June 2012

I really enjoyed the Kent International. There were many new, good players in my group. I was very happy with my performance becasuse I won all of my fights by ippon.

Venray International Judo Tournament in Holland

Although I was not able to win a medal, I won four fights against foreign players.  I won my first fight by ippon then unfortunately lost my second by getting strangled. I gathered up my spirits and then I managed to win my next three fights. After those three fights I got strangled again and lost. In the end I got 7th place.
The players were very keen on atempting strangles. It was evident that they practise them at clubs and use them in competitions. In England I practice and learn strangles but I am not yet allowed to strangle at competitions so this is something I can improve.

International Judo Tournament in Lodz /POLISH OPEN CUP

This competition is a ranking competition for Polish competitors. Players from eight different European countries competed, these were: Poland, Great Britain, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Germany and Slovakia. I really enjoyed this competition because there was a high standard of judo and the competitors were skilled. This allowed me to develop my judo and learn something new. I was able to win the gold medal and satisfaction of winning against good players, including the national champion. The venue was really good, very spacious with plenty of seats for the players and the spectators and surrounded by a beautiful park. It was very near the vibrant town centre where you could enjoy some lovely food and lots of  entertainment. I would recommend this competition to all the young judokas who want to gain new experience in pleasant though competitive atmosphere.

Ippon Trophy Antwerp, Belgium

I went to Belgium with the BJC squad. This competition is considered to be one of the hardest in Europe. I trained very hard leading up to this competition. I fought in the U40kg weight group although I could still make U36kgs. My fights were very hard, nevertheless I fought well, winning all my fights and attaining the gold medal and the  most beautiful bouquet of flowers!

With my friend Lucy from the squad

BJC Open National Championships

This was my first competition after my injury in November. I felt confident fighting in the -40kg although I gave away over 4kg as there weren't any lower weight groups. I really enjoyed this competition since it introduced me to my new weight. I won all of my fights and the gold medal. This year was the first year in which the competition allowed players from any judo federation to fight, not just the BJC. There were many more competitors and there was a wider variety of players. 

Back to training

I have returned back to training after my injury.

My hand has recovered well and my physio and doctor have allowed me to go back to training.

Unfortunate Hand Injury

During my training on Friday, I unfortunately broke two metacarpals in my left hand. This has put me out of training for at least three months. This also means that I won’t be able to compete in three main European competitions, these are: Harnes Open in France, Antwerp Open in Belgium and Matsuru Dutch Open in Eindhoven. I was really looking forward to competing in these competitions as fighting abroad is always a valuable experience.

Harlow Grade Banded Championships - 19 November 2011

This was a local competition and I went there with my club. It was an extra randori practice in between major competitions.



 

Flanders Judocup, Lommel, Belgium - 29 October 2011

This competition is a very high standard competition. It was also a ranking competition for the Belgium competitors. Many players from all around the world have gathered here to compete, including the England squad who I travelled with. On the day I was feeling very confident and I was in a good form. My fights were fairly tough however I got gold. I fought with the Belgium number 1 and won by ippon. I also won against the finalist in the British Championships 2011. I enjoy fighting abroad because it gives me a new, valuable experience.

British Championships, Sheffield - 16th October 2011

As usually, the competition was well attended by competitors who all hope to collect their points of the season for the ranking league. There were many good players in my group. I managed to win my first three fights by ippon but on my last fight I lost by a yuko to the eventual gold medallist. In the end I got a bronze medal however I am aiming for gold next time.

Heart of England 2011, Walsall - 10 September 2011

The Heart of England is the first ranking competition of the new season. As usually, the competition is well attended by competitors who all hope to collect their first points of the season for the ranking league. I won all my fights by ippon however I wasn’t feeling too well on the day and I found the final fight much more challenging. I was struggling until the second minute but then I managed to throw my opponent with a nice ippon and got the gold.