Last Friday morning the Pinewood Judo Club’s Coach Don Werner set out for Belgium to fight in the Ippon Trophy Antwerp, with a car full of the younger members. The event is extremely strong with many nationalities in attendance and the event is held at the Bloso centre in Herentals.
Crissie Webb won a silver medal and Kiera Bateman a bronze medal. There is little doubt that last minute changes by the organisers cost the club one or two other medals but it was an experience not to be missed, for these young Judoka.
Don Werner got back in time to coach another squad of Pinewood youngsters at High Wycombe on Sunday. This event was the 61 Judo Club’s tournament in two bands of grade, group “A” for red and yellow belts and group “B” was for orange and green belts under 16 years.
In the red and yellow belt group the boys under 27 Kgs weight group was first on. Noah Jones won the gold medal and the two bronze medals went to Ruben Lord and Tobias Chapman. Next weight up under 31 kgs Tobias Trafford won gold and under at 34 kgs Daniel Franklin did well to take the bronze. Under 42 kgs Eloi De Clerq won gold and in the over 50 kgs group Christopher Beswick took the silver medal.
The club only entered two girls in this section and they both won gold medals. First off was K-C Franklin under 25 kgs and she had an incredible tournament throwing every one in her group for a clear win. Niamh Whyte fought under 48 kgs and she also had an excellent result.
In the higher grade band for orange and green belts, the six Pinewood Judoka won 3 Gold and three silver medals. At under 38 kgs Declan Whyte won the silver, Under 50 kgs Cameron Charles won gold, under 55 kgs Marcus Trafford gold, under 40 kgs Holly Eccles silver, under 44 kgs Kiera Bateman won gold and Eva Thomas won silver in the under 52 kgs weight group.
It was a tough call for Kiera and Holly they returned home from the Belgium event in the early hours of the morning. It shows the incredible stamina some of these Pinewood children have.