Our Juniors in action

Gary reports:
"All my training is paying off at last - On Sunday the 17^th March 2002 I took silver at the Southern Open U20's Championships."
Gary won all his fights with a clear ippon including one in under 20 secs!
Well done Gary

In the final Gary says: "My opponent was up by a yuko so in the last 30 seconds I had to go for it. I attacked with uchi-mata, but he stepped aside and threw me for ippon with a lovely tio-toshi. I am `chuft' with my Silver and look forward to more medals in April." Gary

Report by our Juniors' correspondent - Gary Knight

From left to right: Daniel, Gary and Grant From: "Knight Gary"
Subject: judo update for:

Inter Counties Championships 2001

Date: 9 December 2001
West Midlands wiped the plate clean and stopped for afters!!

In Categories:-


		boys under 16
        
	girls under 16
        
	boys under 21
        
	girls under 21

		WEST MIDLANDS GOT GOLD IN ALL CATEGORIES!!

Daniel Bellion fought Open weight, over 66kg, with Daniel weighing 103kg!!, boys under 16, dwarfing and terrifying any competition. (specially Grant!)

Grant Vasey, who usually fights u55kg's and has just turned 16, fought under 60kg's at under 21!! So every credit for being mad enough to turn up!

Gary Knight,who usually fights u73kg's, fought u90kg's!! Believe me I'm still aching!
These weight shuffles had to take place to try and even the team out as we were missing two players. But that wasn't enough to stop us, so three more medals coming back to the club again. And hey this time there were no "losers medals!!" (as Roy Muller calls Silver and Bronze)
Cheers Gary Knight

Saturday (10^th November 2001) the National Junior Championships were held at Crystal palace London. Solihull had three players representing the Midlands. They came away with silver, bronze and a fifth place.

Daniel Bellion: Silver medallist

Daniel looked convincing as he fought his way through to the finals in fine style. Here he met his old adversary, Joe Delahay. The two have met on several occasions and are constantly battling for top dog of their group. Delahay had also looked sharp throughout the competition, and it shaped up to be a great fight. Daniel was unfortunately beaten at this meeting of the pair, but I have no doubt the two will meet again and Daniel will have his revenge. Overall he should be well pleased with his performance and coming away with a Silver medal.

Grant Vasey: Fifth Place

Grant had the biggest group out of the three of us, but still shone through the crowd as one of the top players in his group. Grant comfortably beat GB Flagged players on his way through to the semi-final. Here he met Ben Brundel, 3 times previous gold medallist, it was obvious that it should have been the final bout but the two met early. Grant was caught for a wazari right at the end, and eventually ran out of time. He was then beaten for the bronze by a GB flagged player. An unfortunate end to a day where he looked destined to get a medal, but stardom is only round the corner for a very promising player. He should still be pleased with a great performance and a fifth place in a hard group.

Gary Knight: Bronze medallist.

Getting up at 6.30am and not fighting till 6.00pm had a definite and almost costly effect in my first fight, but I soon woke up and battled throughout to the semi-final's. Here I met the eventual winner and was caught cold in the first minute. But I managed to pick myself up for the bronze medal fight, and beat my opponent by ipon. Fairly good performance considering I've just got back from injury, possibly should have won my semi-final fight, but I'm `chuffed' with bronze.

Gary Knight

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