Saffron Walden Judo Club

British Junior & Senior Closed – 1 & 2/12/07

Hi All,

This weekend Sophie competed in the British Judo Championships for under 19yr olds. This is the biggest domestic ranking tournament of the year and determines who is selected for the British under 20 Squad and full Senior Squad. As this tournament is a "trial" for British Squads, the format is different from most other events we attend and meant Sophie would have to win 7 contests in a row (without any losses) to win the Gold Medal, a regular competition usually requires around 4 wins!
 
Sophie started a little slowly and took her time to get "up to speed", but it wasn't too long before she started to put the pressure upon her opponent with an array of attacks. She eventually took the win with a beautifully executed Ko-Uchi-Gake-Maki-Komi (Inner Hooking Winding Throw). Next up was an experienced British Squad Player, but Sophie dispatched her with ease, showing incredible strength by picking her opponent clean up in the air with a Te-Guruma (Hand Wheel Throw). Contest 3 was once again dominated by Sophie, scoring again with Ko-Uchi-Gake, but it was her groundwork that eventually paid dividends when she skilfully manoeuvred her opponent into a Juji-Gatame (Cross Arm Lock) to take the win by submission. Sophie's 4th Contest was also won on the ground after she threw her opponent with another Ko-Uchi-Gake immediately followed up by a combined Hold and strangle to take another win by submission. Contest 5 was against the former British No1 and one of Sophie's biggest rivals, but this didn't faze Sophie at all. Sophie totally controlled the contest with a string of attacks to put her opponent on the defensive and eventually set her opponent up magnificently for a Ko-Soto-Gake (Outer Hooking Throw) to take her 5th consecutive win and book herself a place in the last four. Sophie's 6th contest was against a very strong player with considerable international experience. The opening minutes of the contest were really even with both girls putting in attacks without quite getting a score, but it was Sophie's opponent who eventually got the upper hand during a groundwork exchange and managed to apply a strangle to win the contest. There was a considerable break before Sophie was to get her 7th and final contest of the day, which would determine whether she came home with the Silver or Bronze Medal. As it turned out the break did Sophie no good at all, as she completely lost her focus, knowing that she had already medalled and secured herself a place on the British Under 20's Squad. For the Silver medal contest, Sophie was up against another older girl with a proven international track record and Sophie's opponent easily won the fight in the opening seconds. Not the greatest end to the day for Sophie, but nothing should be taken away from what was a remarkable achievement for Sophie. To be placed 3rd and take a Bronze medal at this level of tournament and secure a place on the British U20's Squad at just 16yrs of age requires a supreme talent and a huge commitment to the sport.
 
A Bronze Medal at The British Championships has rounded off a remarkable year for Sophie, with 3 International Medals (1 Gold & 2 Silver), the National Junior Championship and numerous other medals and titles in between. She is now Ranked No.1 in Great Britain in the U18yr age category, No.3 at U20yr and is part of the newly formed British under 20's Squad as well as being selected for the World Class Talent Squad for elite players with Olympic potential. All this at just 16yrs of age!! We already have many plans in place for next year and fully expect Sophie to continue her winning ways both nationally and whilst representing her country overseas.

Well done Soph!!
 
Allen.