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.

Kent Junior International 2011 - 25 Jun 2011

Kent International is a very high standard competition.  Top players from all around England and also from abroad gather at Crystal Palace  to compete to become the Kent International Champion. I am very proud to be one of the gold medalists, winning all my fights.

Venray International Judo Tournament in Holland -18 June 2011

This competition is regarded as one of the biggest and toughest tournaments in Europe. It was really a great experience for me to get to know and fight against the best young European judoka. The tournament, very professionally run, was attended by around 2000 players from 250 clubs from around Europe.  My fights were tough but I managed to get the bronze medal, only losing to the eventual gold medallist after a very even contest. I fought very well, with great determination and I know that I can go even further next time.

International Championships U15 in Lodz/Poland - 28 May 2011

It was a great opportunity to be able to take part in this international competition, in which eight European countries competed (Poland, Great Britain, Lithuania,Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Czech Republic and Slovakia.) This competition was well attended and mostly consisted of players from the national squad of their country. This was also a ranking competition for all Polish players u15 and u20. I travelled in a team with thirteen other players from the England squad. My fights were fairly hard since the players were very skilled and showed a different style of judo, more physical and rough. Therefore I am even more satisfied with winning the gold.

Ipswich Junior Age Banded Championships - 8 May 2011

Ipswich was another good standard competition. I was pleased with my performance since I got a gold medal.

BJC Junior Nationals, Hereford - 01 May 2011

This competition was my fifth BJC Nationals. I won gold so this means I keep my BJC National title for the fifth year running. As well as winning gold I also recieved a special trophy. In my oppinion this competition was fairly hard, all the fighters were good and determined but I still managed to win all the fights. Taking part in a BJC competition gave me an interesting experience since the BJC rules are very different to BJA. This kept me focused throughout my fights.

North West Age Band Championships - 19 February 2011

This was my second ranking competition in 2011. It was not easy to start a new weight category, but I managed to get the gold.

Midland Area U20 Competition - 29 January 2011

This was my first ranking competition of this season, As well as fighting in the -32kg I also fought in the -36kg category and I got gold in both groups.

South Coast Junior Green Belt & Under Open - 16 January 2011

Although I was the lightest one in my group I found this competition fairly easy to win in a weight group higher than mine.