|
Wales won two gold medals
as England and Scotland claimed one gold medal apiece on day two
of the Sainsbury’s UK School Games’ judo presentation.
The morning session saw
action in the girls under 57kg and boys under 66kg categories.
The girls produced some
high-energy action as Wales’ Ffion Davies emerged from a talented
field to triumph over England’s Chloe Jones in an absorbing final.
Bronze medals went to Scotland’s
Rachel White and Rebecca Ellrich of England.
Champion Ffion Davies,
who was making her Sainsbury’s UK School Games debut, said: “I’m
really happy with the gold medal.”
“I had a really hard final
against Chloe, I felt nervous out there but really enjoyed competing
and I’m glad I could win the gold.”
The boys under 66kg instalment
was a tenacious affair and saw a series of refights after Joe
Wathan, Brett Johns and Colin MacDonald were tied on 17 points.
Those contests produced
semi-finals featuring James Allen, Joe Wathan, Chris Waddell and
Colin MacDonald.
Scotland’s Waddell of Broxburn
Academy and Wathan of Loughborough College advanced with the former
taking victory in a well-matched final.
England’s James Allen,
a last-minute injury replacement, joined Scottish judoka Colin
MacDonald on the bronze podium.
Gold medallist Chris Waddell
said: “I felt good on the mat and I’m delighted to win gold,”
he said.
“I ate properly in the
build-up and that’s made a big difference for me, I had more energy
on the mat and made the weigh-in comfortably.
“The fight against Joe was tough but
I’ve been doing some weight training and I felt stronger on the
mat.”
The afternoon, which saw
the Scottish Team in good voice throughout, featured the girls
under 63kg and boys under 73kg fighters.
Some of Britain’s foremost
under 63kg girls fighters squared off as the highly-rated pair
of Wales’ Demi Brooks and England’s Holly Fielding contested an
intriguing final as Brooks, who won gold at the event in 2008
and 2009, claimed a third gold medal at the Sainsbury’s UK School
Games.
Bronze medals were captured
by Wales’ Helen Weatherburn and English judoka Jordan Doherty.
Demi Brooks, now a three-time
gold medallist at this event, said: “It feels fantastic; I can’t
believe I’ve done it.
“I won the last two years
at under 70kg, so I’ve done it differently this year but it’s
still really special.
“The experience of competing
here is something I’ve always enjoyed and I’ve had great support
from the Team staff.”
In the boys under 73kg
category England’s Liam Ashton-Farr saw off a battling performance
from 2009 bronze medallist Alwyn Clarke in an all-English final.
Bronze medals were claimed
by Scottish pair Jamie Black and Liam Krupej.
Gold medallist Liam Ashton-Farr
said: “This has been one of the toughest events this year, I’ve
been training well at Bath and I come in well prepared.
“I’ve had a lot of support
from the Team England staff including Jamie (Johnson) and Trevor
(Sitlinton).
“The Games experience has
been amazing, the atmosphere has been brilliant and I’m sure it’ll
be the same tomorrow.”
|