Royal Docks Community School won nine medals as they staged an East London inter-school judo competition on Wednesday 26th May in conjunction with West Ham United Football Club.

The Red Belt Rumble competition also featured pupils from Cumberland, Langdon and St Angelas. The four schools were picked by West Ham United to deliver Olympic sports to the pupils as part of the Premier League 4 Sport initiative.

The government funded initiative, which aims to encourage children from all backgrounds involved into sport, creates four satellite clubs at each school which practice the Olympic disciplines of judo, volleyball, table tennis and badminton.

British Judo Association’s East London Development Coach, Nicole Nunn, was encouraged by the skills on display.

“Considering that most players had only been attending after school clubs for three months the standard of judo was very high,” she said.

The competition featured six weight categories, three each for the boys and girls.

In the under 50kg girls division St Angelas’ Reshay Melville claimed gold after defeating school colleague Akvile Marmukonute. The bronze medal went to Tracey Ngahane of Royal Docks.

Stepping up to under 63kg, Holly-Ann Nottage from Royal Docks took gold after edging out Keisha Gardiner from Langdon. Bronze medals went to Royal Docks pair Quynh Nguywen and Fozia Hussain.

In the over 78kg category St Angelas’ Precious Danso took the top prize with Royal Docks pupil Diana Edwards picking up silver.

In the boys competition the under 40kg division was dominated by gold medal winner Sidiki Pene from Royal Docks. His school colleague Eduart Chira scooped silver while Langdon’s Anoth Baskaran took bronze.

At under 50kg Royal Docks secured another one-two with Leonardo De Moura overcoming Faruk Omar in the gold medal match. Langdon’s Mohammad Miah took bronze.

In the over 50kg category Cumberland registered a clean sweep, claiming gold, silver and bronze. Torian Hamilton reigned supreme after triumphing over Alfie Wester, the pair joining school colleague Haroldas Trunca on the medal rostrum.

In addition to the competition medals three participants were awarded Spirit of Judo awards for showing tremendous courage, etiquette and fighting spirit. These were awarded to Fozia Hussain, Tracey Ngahane and Diana Bernards.

The final awards were for best throws which went to Sidiki Pene and Faruk Omar.

Nicole Nunn added: “The event was a great success, everyone participated and the spectators really got behind the players too. All players left with medals, certificates and goodie bags.”

British Judo’s Premier League Manager, Dan Griffin, hailed the efforts of everyone involved.

“This was a fantastic event where the young people can get their first taste of a judo competition,” he said.

“We are encouraging more judo club’s in the Premier League 4 Sport programme to host similar events to enable children to experience the fun and rewarding competition environment.

“School level competitions can help encourage children to pursue their interest in the sport by sampling judo in a different environment. This positive interaction and experience will strengthen their ties with the sport.”