Northern Ireland Open Championships

A small group of Pinewood fighters traveled to Belfast at the weekend to for a mixture of experience,medals and national ranking points. On Saturday, just two fighters were in action in the junior age band (U21) competition, both fought well against tough opposition and managed to close out the day with a silver medal each. Kiera Bateman in U48kg and Olivia Spellman in U57kg. 

 

On the Sunday, both Kiera and Olivia were in action again but were also joined by three younger Pinewood fighters looking for experience and medals. First out was Jay Bennett in the U30kg minor (under 12 years of age), who fought valiantly and came away with a creditable 7th place in a strong field. Next up was Terri Gough in U44kg minors, who had an unlucky draw to be pitted against the eventual gold and silver medalists in her first fights but managed to finished in 5th place. Last of the minors was Dan Franklin fighting in a strong U38kgs group, he fought very well to the final where he lost due to penalties and came away with a silver.

 

Following the minors it was the turn of the cadets (U18), Kiera Bateman was back in action in the U48kgs and was on top form, blasting her way through the opposition with some great judo and maximum points to the gold medal. In the process she beat the GB number 2 cadet and with the ranking points earned also took that ranking position. Finally Olivia Spellman took to the mat in the U57’s and battled though a strong field to the final where she finished the day and the competition for Pinewood with a silver medal.

 

One gold and four silvers from the five strong team was a good result and well worth the trip.

 

The Pinewood Judo extended family was also in action slightly further afield last week with Megan Fletcher,who is on a South American Tour won a Gold Medal in the Pan-American Open in Montevideo Uruguay last week and on Sunday despite food poisoning managed  a Silver in another Pan American Open in  Buenos Aires.