20 Apr 2008 - CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS
Mersea island judo club hosted its Annual Club Championships at the Mica Centre on Saturday 19th April 2008, with 70 members taking part, the day was a huge success with some fantastic fights from all the competitors, the day was sponsored by instructor Dave Bredin’s company Survey Solutions South East. The day began with a display of Judo and Ju-Jitsu performed by Kate & Dave Bredin and Ewan Wilson, they demonstrated the significant differences between the two martial arts, by showing the basic judo throw and the ju-jitsu equivalent with strikes and block, in a self-defence manner. The club was very honoured to have Mr Joe Norman 7th Dan and founder of the All England Judo Federation as their guest, he presented the club with a Spirit of Judo trophy which he awarded to a chosen judoka at the end of the day. It was then on to the competition where the judoka were split into 13 groups of age, weight and ability, the standard of judo was exceptionally high with some spectacular throws which entertained the large supporting crowd of parents, family and friends. During the day the participants were being photographed by DE photo who took some really great action shots, these could be purchased 10minutes later by proud onlookers. When the competition had finished it was onto the presentation of medals and trophies, which were handed out by Joe Norman, Nigel Smart and Peter Willis.
Along with the competition medals the annual awards were presented by Regional Coach Kate Bredin, these consist of Best Beginner, Best Girl, King Trophy, Best Senior, Peter Dawson Memorial, Barry Spence Memorial and the prestigious Judoka of the Year award. The winners of these are decided by the club coaching team of Kate Bredin, Dave Bredin and Caz Haward, they found the process particularly hard this year as there were several candidates for each award, however after much discussion they decided on the following winners.
BEST BEGINNER-Alex Booth who in her short judo life has shown the ability to learn and take in what she is taught and put it into practice.
BEST GIRL- Amelia Smith in 2007/8 has done very well in her gradings and competitions, the club is sure she will continue to improve.
KING TROPHY- Aaron Graham was given this award for endeavour which he shows in club, gradings and competitions.
BEST SENIOR- Vicky Keep came to judo as a mature student and has proved it’s never to late start a sport, she is a great example to other women.
PETER DAWSON MEMORIAL TROPHY- Ewan and Michael Wilson were presented with this family award, they show true commitment to the club, helping out whenever they can, Ewan is the clubs first aider, and now helps to assist the coaches.
BARRY SPENCE MEMORIAL TROPHY- Harry Todd was a popular winner of this club personality award, he always has a smile on his face and makes his fellow judoka happy, most of all he always trains hard which shows in his judo.
SPIRIT OF JUDO- Catherine Blacklock won this award for her performance against all boys in her group, she showed grit and determination, and proved it is about the taking part.
JUDOKA OF THE YEAR- Josh Whiting has had a superb year, in March 2008 he won the Amateur Judo National Championships for the 2nd year running, in November 2007 he achieved his blue belt in emphatic fashion, he is a credit to our club and is an example to other young children, with his willingness to learn and the respect he shows to other judoka and his instructors, he is the future of the club.
Regional coach Kate Bredin said ‘the championships have been fantastic, the best in the clubs 28year history, all judoka performed to the best of their ability, they showed discipline at all times, we were greatly honoured to have Mr Joe Norman as our guest’. Kate also added ‘the day ran very smoothly, which is a credit to all the help we receive. I run the club on a purely voluntary basis, therefore I would like to thank everyone involved. I am so proud of Mersea Island Judo Club, it is always a pleasure to coach such a great group of children and adults’
RESULTS-
GOLD- Oscar Whiting, Jake Munson, Luke Bunyan, Robert Crossley, Daniel Watson, Harry Todd, Megan Butcher, Josh Whiting, Craig Bunyan, Jessie Hewes, Edward Lee, Kate Bredin and Dave Bredin.
SILVER-Luke Powling, Tim Crossley, Sam Parsons, Jack Hiller, Thomas Daines, Jessie Gant, Alex Booth, Robert Anderson, Matthew French, Bryony Humm, Michael Wilson, Jessie Hewes and Josh Dow.
BRONZE-Ryan Bailey, Eleanor Bredin, Amelia Young, Nathaniel French, Millie Guest, Adam Porter, Jack Sydenham, Thomas Crossley, Jonty Guest, Holly Graham, Matthew Thorley, Vicky Keep and Ewan Wilson.
MEDAL WINNERS-Ella Wislon, Niamh Guest, Rosie Daines, Oliver Young, Rae Giles, Amelia Smith, Jessica Sydenham, Jorden Wilson, Tom Paramor, Zac Gosling, Alex Tridini, Catherine Blacklock, William Gurton, Loren Graham, Aaron Graham, Stephen Blacklock, Holly Graham and Marlyn Daines.
JUDOKA OF THE DAY- Daniel Watson.