Another good week of gradings, with some players progressing to new colour belts. Congratulations to the following:
1st mon:
4th mon (yellow belt):
6th mon:
7th mon (orange belt):
9th mon:
10th mon (green belt):
12th mon:
Another great week of grading success for our players!
Latest promotions are:
Jacob Boichot 1 mon
Alexander Lane 1 mon
Oliver Jones 1 mon
Maya Polak 3 mon
Samuel Boichot 4 mon
Mieszko Polak 5 mon
Marcus Tree 5 mon
Azhar Baree 6 mon
Jack Marshall 6 mon
Maddison Cox 6 mon
Conor Isherwood-Lee 7 mon
As with last week, that brings us some new belts – yellow and orange – and is a testament to how hard the players have worked and prepared for the grading. Very well done everyone.
We have one or two more players to assess, and wish them good luck next week.
During the grading process, we have identified one or two players who are under graded, due to having missed grading opportunities in the past. These players may be given the opportunity to grade again prior to the main Club grading, in order that their grades more accurately reflect their ability and attainment.
Court Lane Judo Club marked a return to medal form with results in two competitions over the weekend of 4-5 October.
On the Saturday, Craig Jones broke a 5 year hiatus from competition, when he competed in the Kyu Grade Cup at the High Wycombe Judo Centre. It was a successful return to competition, culminating with a well deserved bronze medal for 22 year old Craig, who can usually be found instructing the younger players at the Cosham based club.
These same young players did the Club proud on Sunday 5 October, when a 5 strong squad competed at the Hampshire Split Grade Competition at Eastleigh’s Fleming Park Leisure Centre.
All players were fighting in the junior novice red and yellow belt categories, and returned with 4 medals – Marcus Tree with silver, at -27kg; Jack Rogerson bronze at -34kg; bronze for Mieszko Polak at-30kg and a bronze for debutant contestant Mostafa Hannan at -60kg in the higher age bands.
The fifth member of the squad was Conor Isherwood-Lee (-38kg) who also fought with distinction against some tough opponents.
Coach Kevin Jones commented on the results, “There was a great club spirit today, everyone supported their club and players through to the final fight. There was some great judo from all the players.”
Marcus on the medal podium
Competing in the lightest, -27kg, weight category, Marcus benefitted from a bye in the first round, and followed up with a win by penalties in the second.
This put him into the semifinal, with his opponent withdrawing injured partway through the match.
In the final, Marcus’ opponent took advantage of a moment’s hesitation to secure a strong hold down and secure the win.
Marcus and Maddy with Portsmouth’s silver medal winning team
Marcus won both his fights, one by ippon and the other by penalties.
Maddy, who was giving away a lot of weight, showed the same spirit in competition as she has shown in training recently.
The journey to Aldershot was nearly as adventurous as last year’s journey home…
The only disappointment on the day was the low entry from other areas, with only four teams entered in the judo tournament – the others being Eastleigh, Hart and Deane and Winchester. Portsmouth was the only area to enter a full team of 9 players, Winchester only having a team of 3.
*Mieszko Polak was also originally entered to compete in this tournament, however we realised late on that no reserves were allowed this year, and we had to advise 4 players that they would not be competing. Our apologies to all affected.
Next competition is the Kent International, which will see Jack Rogerson representing the Club, followed by the Hampshire Open.
Tony and Jon Patterson from Priory Judo Club have been working together to select the team to represent Portsmouth in this year’s Hampshire and Isle of Wight Games.
The following players have been selected from Court Lane:
Marcus Tree
Mieszko Polak
Maddy Cox
Good luck to all the contestants!
Player of the Month
We have reinstated the Player of the Month trophy.
Winners so far for 2014 are:
February – Jonty Bassil. Sustained effort, attitude, and maturity, general all round improvement in his judo.
March – Rueben Raine. Smooth transition from the Kano Club, great effort and behaviour.
April – Marcus Tree. Very tough decision, as some very strong contenders after the Hampshire Closed. Final decision based on competition performance, all round improvement and attendance.
Azhar on medal podium
A determined performance from Jack Rogerson saw him fight through to a bronze medal contest in a large -30kg category. Jack was unable to overcome his final opponent, being thrown for ippon.
Fighting alongside Jack were Mieszko Polak and Marcus Tree, who both delivered excellent performances.
Joel Bassil was on excellent form in the lightest -27kg category, winning his first fight by yuko before scoring ippon with o soto guruma in his second contest. His third fight was hotly contested, Joel just being edged out, before he scored a huge ippon in his fourth. Frustratingly, his efforts were to no avail, as a combined score of 25 points was not enough to lift him from his pool into the knockout, other players with the same winning ration having scored 30 and 27 points.
Jonty Bassil was our final competitor, at -50kg. Despite giving away several inches, Jonty started strongly, and took the fight to his opponent before being held for ippon. Unfortunately Jonty was thrown and injured in his second fight. We wish him a speedy recovery.
Today’s results marked a massive improvement from the same tournament last year, with all players making serious challenges and showing how hard work and self belief pays off.
