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Medal wins

Dave Lawrenson
25/ 9/2008

A GROUP of young fighters did Swinton Judo Club proud by winning six medals at the British Judo Association’s Junior North West Area Closed competition in St Helens.

Rachael Dorrian, aged 17, won her first titled event, claiming gold medal glory in the under-18s female category after defeating some of the top under 63 kilograms fighters in the country.

And the club had three silver medal winners in 17-year-old Naveed Hussain, 14-year-old Steven Cornell and his eight-year-old sister Stephanie Cornell plus two bronze medal winners in 15-year-old Rebecca Alder and 11-year-old Kane Jackson.

Club coach Andy Officer said: "It was a tough competition and the guys performed really well.

"All but one of the students that we took to St Helens won medals and the other one, Harry Wright, only went for the experience. We are delighted with the medal haul."

Naveed achieved his silver medal despite being at the bottom end of the weight group in the under-18s male category for fighters weighing 55kgs or under.

In the same weight category at under-15s male level, Steven fought very well all day and threw most of his opponents with ease. But he narrowly missed out on the north west title through a tactical mistake.

Stephanie, who is a tough little fighter with a bright future ahead of her, excelled in the under-10s female section for 28kgs and under competitors.

Rebecca took part in the female under-15s under 57kgs event and Kane, who competed in the male under-12s under 38kgs section, flew through the pool system despite fighting for the first time at this level of competition.

He entered the event for the experience more than anything else.