Jaime and Isaac strike gold at Open
JUDO
TWO members of the Bredakwai Judo Academy based at Accrington Academy were crowned English Open champions following a tournament held at the British Judo Association’s centre of excellence in Walsall.
Isaac Hope, 11, and Jamie De’ath, 12, took gold in the -38KG category and -50KG category respectively.
Both boys won all of their contests, ten in total, against some of the best Judo players from around the United Kingdom.
Throughout the event, seminars were held for the players to prepare for their future as GB athletes and the day was capped off by an hour long training session led by the England squad manager Nicole Nunn.
Medals at the event were presented by Olympic athlete and Team GB player Nekoda Davis.
Both Isaac and Jamie train most days and over the summer will be attending training camps in Pinewood at the end of August and then Nijmegen, Holland at the beginning of September.
Isaac’s next goal is the British Minors Championships in September whilst Jamie will move to the Pre-cadet age band where a medal at the British Champs in December could secure him a place on the England squad for 2018.
If anyone is inspired to take up Judo, sessions are run four nights per week at Accrington Academy for all ages and abilities.