Kendal gives Euros a try
Ju-jitsu
Kendal Manning started ju-jitsu to toughen up for rugby – now he’s off to the European Random Attacks Championship, writes Craig Tucker.
At 11, Manning is the youngest Kent Samurai member to make the GB squad for the tournament in Holland in April.
And to think he probably wouldn’t have taken it up were it not for rugby.
Dad Jon said: “Kendal started playing rugby for Maidstone and someone I know who worked for Munster academy suggested taking up judo because they go hand in hand.
“We couldn’t find a judo club but ju-jitsu has an element of judo in it, so we went along to Kent Samurai and he enjoyed it.
“He took to it quickly and seemed to click with people. The only trouble is I’ve got an 11-year-old who can beat me up!”
Manning, a Year 6 pupil at Lunsford Park Primary School, has made rapid progress in two years working with Rula Metaxas and Eddie Garvey at Kent Samurai’s Larkfield branch, earning his green belt and winning several national and regional medals.
He’d been listed as first reserve for the Euros but impressed so much at various trials his country organised an extra place in the under-16 age group.
Jon said: “The four spaces available went to the older kids who are junior black belt or one step away but they were clear they wanted to take him along as first reserve to gain experience with the other guys.
“We then heard they’d spoken to the organisers and managed to secure an additional spot.
“He was chuffed to pieces, absolutely thrilled.
“They liked his technique and fair play to him because at the final try-out I wasn’t allowed in the room, so he was on his own and under pressure to see how he would perform.
“It’ll be his first experience competing abroad and anything can happen on the day.
“As a parent I’m biased but I think he’s superb. I think it’s just his focus. When he does any sport he seems to commit himself to it.
“He’s already said he wants to be a rugby player, so he knows what he wants to do.
“Ju-jitsu have also applied for the Olympics in 2024, so who knows where Kendal could end up if he does well.
“He’ll be 17 by then so you never know, we could be looking at a future Olympian.”
Other Kent Samurai qualifiers are: Kieron Metaxas, Kristos Metaxas, Sam Robinson, Matthew Morse, Tyler Smith, Brandon Dunkerley, James Robinson, Alex Murray, Ella Molloy, Sian Bussey, Ailis McConachieSmith, Julian Smith, Eddie Garvey, Martin Kidd, Haroulla Metaxas.