20 May 2008 - SENIOR NATIONAL GRADING
Husband and Wife Success
Kate and Dave Bredin are a winning combination when it comes to the martial art of judo, this husband and wife duo attended a National Grading in Maldon on Saturday 18th May, Kate who has been doing judo over 25yrs deservedly earned her black belt 3rd dan, after facing a 4 man line-up of consecutive fights, which she won with throws, holds and armlocks. Not to be out done by his wife, the Mersea Island rugby captain Dave Bredin was next and had to face the massive task of a 10 man line-up, winning also with perfect throws, groundwork, armlocks and strangles, for his performance and skill Dave was awarded his black belt 2nd dan. Early in the day they performed a display of judo and ju-jitsu, which showed of their knowledge of techniques and how to use them in self-defence. Four other members of the club were also grading, firstly they were tested intensely on throws, holds, locks, strangles, combinations and counter techniques, next they had to fight against men of their own grade, Danny Blacklock won all his fights to earn his Blue Belt, Ewan Wilson and Josh Dow who performed superbly and were awarded there Brown Belts. Regional coach Kate said”I am so proud of them all, everyone showed such determination, fitness and skill to obtain their grades, Dave faced probably the hardest line-up I have seen, having to face 10 men consecutively, showed such a high level of fitness, but I knew he would do it”. Kate also added”I am also pleased with my performance, my dad would have been so proud”
By Debbie Spence.
On Sunday 18th May 2008 5 seniors went to a grading at Maldon. All judoka were examined on their syllabus, which they found testing but all passed. First to fight from Mersea was Josh dow, this being his first Senior grading put on a display of Judo that excelled him as a senior, winning most of his fights by an Ippon. He was graded from junior brown to Senior brown. Well done josh! Also in the same group was Ewan Wilson, for once he came up against men of his own weight and size and put on a fantastic display of judo and stamina, he was also awarded his Senior brown belt finally and well deserved. The next group involved Danny Blacklock, the gentle giant of the club! Not that his competitors knew this!! He showed real skill and agility in all his fights, and for this was awarded his senior Blue belt.
Next to fight was my sister Kate, who hasen’t fought competitively for many years due to injury, decided(or was talked into!!) it was time to go for her 3rd Dan. She showed pure skill and physical ability against 3 men and 1 lady in a line up, she looked determined from the start to finish and won her fights with an ippon throw and showed great groundwork skills by winning with armlocks, a strangle and hold downs. I am so proud of my sister as I always have been where judo is concerned. She is a credit to women in Judo and an ambassador to the sport of Judo. She was duly awarded her 3rd Dan. No one from Mersea has ever attained this grade.
Finally, Dave, not to be out done by his wife, had a line up on 10 men. He also showed displays of his physical ability to outclass all his other judoka, winning nearly all by ippon throws and armlocks. He also is a credit to the club and earned himself a well deserved 2nd Dan.