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Britain saw its best result
at the EJU ‘Top Ranking’ Cadet Tournament this year, winning one
gold medal, a first at this event, plus one bronze medal and two
5th places.
A 19-strong English
cadet team competed over the weekend of 22nd-23rd May, as did
teams from Scotland and Wales, representing Great Britain. The
Tournament was the final international preparation event for the
European Cadet Championships next month.
Taking the gold medal was
Freya de Chastelain from Wolverhampton Judo Club in the -48kg
weight category, who remained focused despite having GCSE exams
just days away.
The 2009 British Cadet
Champion made a positive start to the competition with a bye in
the first round, and beat Martyna Dobrowolska of Poland with a
series of scores and finished with a drop seoi-nage for ippon
in the second.
The Brit then faced Selina
Dietzer of Germany in the third round and won in golden score.
Progressing to the semi-final
against Dilara Lokman Hekin of Turkey, the fight again went to
golden score but this time neither player managed to gain points.
The referees decided that De Chastelain had looked the most dominant
and won by hantei.
De Chastelain continued
her impressive performance, beating Alexandra Pop of Romania in
the final to take the gold medal.
The -57kg competition saw
an all British bronze medal final between Jemima Duxberry of Devizes
and Katie-Jemima Yeats-Brown of Tonbridge Judo Club. Yeats-Brown
went a yuko up early on in the fight, which followed with a throw
for wazari for Duxberry.
Duxberry was subsequently
given two shidos for passivity, but held on to win the bronze
medal with a wazari to two yukos. Yeats-Brown settled for 5th
place, her first International result in the England squad.
Also taking 5th place was
16-year-old Declan Byrne from Polkyth Judo Club, Cornwall and
Hannah Lewis from The Parks Judo Club finished in 7th place.
Commenting on the team’s
performance after observing at this event for the first time,
Karen Roberts, Performance Operations Manager, said, “This has
been an extremely encouraging event- not based on the results
but the performances of every individual.
“The England staff has
implemented the technical direction of Patrick Roux within the
England Development programme, and along with it over the last
eight months created a culture for hard work and belief in their
ability.
“The Home Country Development
programmes are critical as they are the key connection to the
young players Club and Personal coaches, and are therefore the
foundation for future GB Olympians.”
After being forced to cancel
a trip to the EJU ‘Top Ranking’ Cadet Tournament in Teplice, Czech
last month due to the Volcanic Ash, the trip to the Polish Tournament
proved a success, despite a bad journey from the airport, which
saw many roads flooded. Along with
the gold medallist, many other players had to sit GCSE exams on
their return.
The players will complete
their European preparations at a three day training camp at Kendal
Judo Club from 11th -13th June.
For full results, please
click here.
Freya
de Chastelain (blue) at the 2009 British Championships
©
Mike Varey
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