Parks duo are Grand prospects
MARTIAL ARTS
TWO North Tyneside martial arts starlets are being tipped as ones to watch after their latest medal success, writes TONY HODGSON.
Harrison Wood and Matthew Lane proved little belters with impressive displays at the Grand Prix Five Tournament.
The competition consists of five events across the North East over the course of the year, attracting more than 400 entries from around 30 clubs nationwide.
Wood, nine, was the only student to achieve a gold medal in each of the competition’s five events, while Lane, eight, medalled in each competition - taking a mixture of gold, silver and bronze.
The pair are members of the North Shields-based Parks Judo Club. whose head coach Duncan Stewart is delighted with his proteges’ progress.
He said: “Both lads did fantastically well and if they continue to work hard I have no doubt they can become really good prospects in future.
“Harrison did ever so well to strike gold in all five events - although it was close in the last one, we were sweating a bit before he came through.
“He has been with us for more than four years. His dad is a coach at the club and that is how he become involved in the sport.
“Matthew joined us about 18 months ago and has also impressed us with his progress.
“Both lads work so hard and you don’t get anywhere in this sport without that hard work. They deserve their success.”
Both boys took gold in the Regional Schools Championships and will represent their respective schools at the National Championships in South Shields early next year.
Earlier this year Wood also became British Judo Council national champion.