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Ealing Judo Club’s inaugural
intercontinental event, the US Junior Open in Fort Lauderdale,
saw them work closely with Northern Ireland's Murakwai Judo Club
as both clubs enjoyed a successful trip.
Ealing Judo Club, whose
ranks were boosted by Camberley Judo Club’s Stuart Brown joining
them, took six of their own players to the US as Oscar Gjesdal,
Harkirat Sekhon, Conor Corrigan, Eliot Bradford, Akhil Best and
Nekoda Davis all saw action.
The highly-regarded
club met up with the Murakwai team from Belfast in Florida which
was led by head coach Scott Mayne.
In the pre-cadet age
band Murakwai's Robyn Kelly took bronze while her brother Cameron
placed fifth.
Daniel Mayhew placed
seventh in the cadet category. In the IJF u20 section Jodie Kee
won bronze while Ealing's Nekoda Davis won gold in the same group,
beating Pan American medallist Samantha Martin along the way.
2011
US Junior Open gold medallist Nekoda Davis and
bronze medallist Jodie Kee
Ealing also had bronze
medals in the cadet weights from Conor Corrigan (-73kg) and Eliot
Bradford (-90kg). Harkirat Sekhon placed fifth in both the Cadet
and Junior bands, performing superbly on both days.
Camberley's Stuart Brown
placed fifth in the Cadets and seventh in the u20.
In a fitting finale
to a fantastic competition, Nekoda Davies was awarded the 'Best
Female' of the tournament trophy. Officials said this was the
first time a Brit had won this accolade.
Gerry Navarro, tournament
organiser, said: “Nekoda deserved it, her judo was beautiful.”
The official training
camp after the event was led by Cuban double Olympic bronze medallist
Israel Hernandez and US Olympian Valerie Gotay. All players participated
and worked hard, to get as much out of the trip as possible.
Olympian's and Ealing Judo Club youngster Oscar Gjesdal
at the training camp
Ealing Judo Club head
coach, Jo Crowley said: “The whole group were fantastic ambassadors
for British Judo, fighting well, training hard and always maintaining
a professional manner. We are looking forward to returning to
the US next year to improve on this year's performances, as all
of these young judoka are still young enough to compete again.”
For more information
on Ealing Judo Club please visit http://ealingjudoclub.com/
More information on
Murakwai Judo Club is available at http://www.murakwai-judo.co.uk
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