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National Age
Banded Championships – 14 & 15/10/07
Hi All,
Over the weekend we had 3 players competing in the
National Junior Championships, Ben Green, Jon Pettinger & Sophie Daniels.
Ben - 0 Wins,
2 Losses. In his first contest Ben was up against a very strong
lad who dominated him with a big over the top grip. Ben was eventually thrown
by O-Uchi-Gari (Major Inner Sweeping Throw) and held down. Ben faired much
better in his second contest and looked the most dominant player, putting in
several good attacks without quite managing to get a score. At the end of
normal time the contest still remained level so it was into Golden Score (first
score wins). As before it was Ben who did most of the attacking judo, but it
was from one of Ben's failed attacks that his opponent managed counter the
throw just enough to get the winning score. A very creditable performance from
Ben and one which should hold in good stead for future age banded tournaments.
Jon - 2 Wins
2 Losses. Although Jon prepared himself extremely well for his first contest
with a very intensive warm up he still got caught out early. This was probably
due to being slightly overawed by the magnitude of the event (for anyone who
hasn't been "The Nationals" is a huge competition). Anyway Jon was thrown
by a leg grabbing Drop Seoi-Nage (Shoulder Throw), so he was immediately
plunged into the Repercharge Rounds in to progress further. Jon was visibly
much more "pumped" for his second contest and threw his opponent in
the opening seconds with a running leg grab to gain a good score. Jon continue
to exert all the pressure which paid dividends when he took the win by
attacking with a Drop Seoi-Nage which he cleverly switched into a
rolling Kata-Guruma (Shoulder Wheel Throw). Jon's third contest was against a
very capable player indeed, but Jon was on a role now. It was Jon's opponent
who was keen to get in the opening attacks with Uchi-Mata (Inner Thigh Throw),
but it was from one of these throws that Jon pulled of a stunning counter by
hopping off the throw and picking up his partner with a very dramatic
Te-Guruma (Hand Wheel Throw). Sadly for Jon though the win came with a down
side - he landed head first into the mat with great force and took quite a
while to come round. After receiving medical attention and sitting down with an
ice pack on his head, Jon bravely decided to continue. He was still
visibly very dazed when he came out for his fourth contest and during a
groundwork exchange he was turned over and was arm locked. Jon put on a really
good display of judo which drew admiring comments from many players/coaches and
it was a shame that his day had to end in such a fashion. He still managed a
9th place finish from a huge entry in his first ever National Championships - a
great performance.
Sophie 3
Wins 0 Losses GOLD. Sophie was competing in her
first year of the 16 -18yr old age group. Sophie's preparation and warm up was
absolutely spot on and she came to the mat area totally focused. I think her
warm-up alone would have killed off most mortals!! Her first contest was
against (as you would expect at this level) a very capable, older player. But
in usual "Sophie style" she immediately put her opponent under
massive pressure with dominant gripping and attacking judo. Sophie's continual
pressure eventually reaped its rewards as her opponent was penalised for
backing off and negative judo. Sophie saw the remainder of the contest out
using the same tactics to take a hard first contest win. Sophie's second
contest was again against one of the very best players in this division. Sophie
got an early score on the board, with a neat Tomoe-Nage (Stomach
Throw) which was quickly followed up with another scoring Tomoe-Nage. As
the contest wore on Sophie looked more and more dominant and her opponent began
to wilt under the constant pressure. During a groundwork exchange Sophie
brilliantly manoeuvred her opponent into her favourite arm lock Juji-Gatame to
take the win by submission and book herself a place in the final. In order to
take the Gold Medal Sophie would have to defeat the reigning British No. 1.
During the long break before the Final, Sophie and I spent the time running
through the strategy to beat her opponent and by the time the Final arrived
Sophie was brimming with confidence. Wright from the opening seconds of the
Final it was Sophie who appeared in control. She totally dominated her opponent
with superior gripping, tactics, strength, fitness and skill. As per
previous contests, her opponent simply could not live the level of pressure
that she imposes and was eventually penalised for inactivity due to being
totally overwhelmed by Sophie's judo. Sophie continued see out the remainder of
the Final in the same fashion, with relentless attack after attack right up
until the final bell. This truly magnificent display of judo meant Sophie was
crowned 2007 National Champion of Great Britain, a title
that no one can be in any doubt, she deserves.
For me personally this was a very proud day indeed. To
have coached Sophie from the very first day she stepped on the mat as a scrawny
little 12yr old, to be at mat side with her just four years
later to see her become National Champion has been an incredible
privilege. Well done Soph and I look forward to many more National and
International titles along the way - I just hope someone can find a cure for
"coach stress" else I'll be a jibbering wreck by the time we get to
the Olympics!!
Regards,
Allen.
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