Cottom claims gold at Crawley (From News Shopper)

Cottom claims gold at Crawley

3:54pm Tuesday 23rd June 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

DARTFORD Judo Club had four junior members in action at the southern open championships at K2 in Crawley.

Christopher Ball was competing in the under-38kg category for boys aged 12 and 13, where he found himself up against tough competition.

Having lost his first fight after a being caught on a shoulder throw, Ball battled hard in his next bout.

He again found himself thrown, but this time for ippon, leaving him out of the competition.

Next up was DJC's youngest member in action on the day, Max Shorter in the under-50kg 10 to 11-year old boys’ category.

Shorter drew the favourite in his first round contest and fought well, only losing narrowly due to incurring a penalty for posture.

He showed more dominance in his next fight by winning with a shoulder throw and sweep, both scoring wazari, and ending the fight.

If Shorter won the next fight, he would be back in medal contention.

He managed to throw his opponent with a small score but controlled his partner to force him on his back.

Shorter's face showed his determined spirit to hold on for the full 25 seconds and secure his place in the bronze medal fight off.

The Dartford member took an early lead in the contest with a yuko score but this was then equalled by his opponent.

Shorter was then caught a second time from a sweep with just five seconds to go. With no time to regain a score, Shorter was unlucky to finish in fifth place and out of the medals.

Ryan Cottom was in action in the under-66kg 12 to 13-year-old boys’ section.

He fought impressively in the early rounds to progress with ease to the final and prove yet again why he is considered a talent for the future of British judo.

The British cadet player also made short work of his fellow finalist, throwing him backwards with a counter technique to score ippon and win gold.

Things looked promising for Shane Tyler in the early rounds of the under-73kg 14 to 17-year-old boys’ event.

Tyler, 14, faced 17-year-old Russell form Pinewood JC in the quarter-final and despite several pick up attempts and sweeps, his opponent’s age proved a beneficial strength and left the Dartford youngster needing to perform well in the repecharge.

His bronze medal fight was again a tight affair with even scoring throughout, but Tyler scored a high enough score towards the close to win bronze.

This was Tyler's first medal for five months, which will hopefully kick start his 2009 campaign.