Walton Judo Club end their year on a high note

With last year’s winners changing age and weight categories, a new set of names would be engraved on the club silverware.

The final of the overall championship was between Evelyn Silvester and Henry Spooner.

Both were area champions, both on form and both capable of winning.

Spooner had to overcome a strong challenge from Kacper Lesniewski in the semi-final, while Silvester negotiated her way past Josie Frere.

With good, positive attacking judo, the final was still in the balance with 40 seconds to go when Spooner took the lead with quick Tai Otoshi (Body Drop).

However, that only served to spur on Silvester, who equalled the scores with a nailbiting second to go, dropping her opponent with Tani Otoshi (Valley Drop).

The final headed into golden score, where the first score wins, and it was Spooner that was in first with an even better Tai Otoshi for the title and Peter Chumbley Shield.

Silvester still managed to pick up one of the major trophies, being named the best girl and being awarded the Stedman Shield.

In the lightweight competition, there were many contenders and some surprises on the way.

Daragh Bucke, who showed good techniques, winning his group and finding his way through to the semi-finals, would have been a favourite along with Finley Woods.

However, the final was between Gemma Lewis and Fraser Willing.

In the semi-finals, Lewis, who had recently medalled at the Area Championships, beat Bucke and Willing, who was awarded best throw at the recent Clacton Merit Badge event, beat Woods.

The final wasn’t to disappoint the audience, with Lewis coming out the stronger with a left-handed Ogoshi (Major Hip Throw), followed up with a hold down for the win and the Brendan Mitchell Trophy.

The 16 and over category saw Perry Taylor Weeden face sister Alana for the Red Triangle Shield.

The twins have faced each other in several finals over the years and while Perry has had the upper hand at the championships over the past two years, Alana has had the better year on the competition circuit.

It was Perry that took the title with Ura Nage (Rear Throw), but Alana’s efforts didn’t go unrewarded, receiving the Mayor’s Shield for the Most Progressive Judoka.

Alana has raised her game, having moved into the junior age band (under-21), this year medalling at the British Schools Championships finals, Northern Home Counties Open and winning the Kent International.

In the groups, Lesniewski, who placed an excellent fifth at the British Schools Championships finals this year and has already qualified for next year’s finals, showed some impressive techniques.

Catching one opponent with a sublimely-timed Ko Uchi Gari (Major Inner Reaping throw) to score, he then finished off with a huge Maki Komi (Winding Throw) for maximum points.

This made it an easy decision to award him the Best Throw of the Day.

Some determined fighting from Oliver and Finley Blanes in the groups saw them take gold and bronze respectively and new starters Jamie Brooks and Sonny McMillan look like they will have bright futures, picking up notable wins and medals.

The two smallest competitors on the day, Clary Frere and Lincoln Booth, had a great contest in the group stage with non-stop attacking throughout, both rewarded with bronze medals in their group.

Area Champion Anya Nibre was unable to compete through injury, but her efforts in the year did not go unnoticed, picking up a Merit Award alongside the hard-working Woods and Frere.

Group results: Gold (G), Silver (S), Bronze (B): Group one: Oliver Blanes (G), Sonny McMillan (S), Lincoln Booth (B) Clary Frere (B).

Group two: Gemma Lewis (G), Fraser Willing (S), Finlay Blanes (B).

Group three: Daragh Bucke (G), Finley Woods (S), Jamie Brooks (B).

Group four: Henry Spooner (G), Kacper Lesniewski (S), Josie Frere (B).

Group five: Perry Taylor Weeden (G), Alana Taylor Weeden (S), Evelyn Silvester (B).

Group A: Gemma Lewis (G), Group B: Finley Woods (G), Group C: Jamie Brooks (G).

A new award was presented this year in recognition of voluntary services to the club.

The first recipient of the Community Shield was Dave Parkin.

Parkin has been a long-time supporter of the club, fundraising, supporting club members at competitions and refereeing at events including the Club Championships.

The club continues to go from strength to strength, with members being selected to represent the area at national and international events.

Most recently, Henry Spooner, Alana and Perry Taylor Weeden travelled to Belgium with the Area Team, where they picked up a bronze, silver and fifth place respectively.

The three were joined from the club by Lesniewski, England squad member Rowan Lockyear and an out-of-retirement Josef Sullivan to take part in the national team event, notching up some notable wins between them.

It hasn’t just been competition though, with the club joining together with Clacton and Harwich Judo Clubs to take 50 young members on an activity weekend at Mersea Island, club members supporting Kirby Fete and running special needs sessions at the Mersea Island Festival.

For more information about the club, contact Mark Salter on 01255 813231 or judo_mark@hotmail.com