Floor-ing the opposition
Battlehill judoka claim four national titles in Kettering
BATTLEHILL Judo Club returned from the British Judo Council’s National Championships with four champions.
The Wallsend competitors joined 400 other judoka at Kettering Sports Arena in Northamptonshire.
Jenni Francis was undefeated in the junior girls’ under-36kgs section.
She won four fights with ippon from a range of tachi and ne waza techniques to secure her third consecutive national title.
Charlie Huttton claimed silver in the under-30kgs category with excellent Ko-Uchi-Gaki and Ko-Soto-Gari techniques.
Joe Flaherty won three of his four contests with Uki-Goshi and Kesa Gatame combinations to secure a silver medal.
Charlotte Kendal claimed three straight victories in a tough group of over-65kgs young women, demonstrating an effective O-Uchi-Mata technique to clinch the gold medal.
Luke Anderson moved up a class to compete in his first nationals at under-66kgs and gave an excellent performance winning one from three contests.
Josh Stoneman enjoyed an excellent event, triumphing in all five of his contests with strong Harai-Goshi techniques in the under-60kgs category to return home a national champion.
Two students from Battlehill’s sister club Seghill JC also fought in Kettering.
Andrew Fountain battled well in the under-34kgs category, winning his first national contest along the way - but did not make it past the group stage.
Kiera Pentolfe prevailed impressivelty in her five contests with maximum scores from various koshi waza and Ne waza conbinations to gain a gold medal.
FOR more information on Battlehill JC ring Malcolm Young on 07803 745 184 or visit www. bhjudo.com.