Jack Wins British Schools Bronze
On Saturday 9 March Ethan Ward, Brandon Allsebrook and Jack Hopewell represented their respective schools at the British Schools Championships which were held at IceSheffield.
This popular event at which current members of the National Squads or British Championships medallists are prohibited from entering reached the entry capacity of 525 competitors a month before the official closing date.
Brandon was up first representing Portland Primary School in the year 6/7 u42kg category along with 16 other competitors, Brandon received a bye in the first round and then dispatched his second round opponent with an Ippon throw in 39 seconds, this put him into the quarter-finals. In his next match Brandon fought well but was thrown for Ippon in the last minute, he was now in the repechage and had to win his remaining contest to secure a bronze. He battled through the first two contests winning by Ippon throw and then a hold to secure a place in the bronze final. The bronze final was a tough contest with Brandon eventually losing by a hold and finished in a well-earned 7th place.
Ethan was next representing Nottingham University Samworth Academy in the year 6/7 u38kg along with 26 other competitors. Ethan bulldozed through his first two contests winning both by Ippon throws, which like Brandon before him put him into the quarter-finals. In his quarter-final contest Ethan was caught uncharacteristically off guard and thrown for Ippon in the first minute and now had to fight through the repechage to be in with a chance of receiving a medal. Ethan lost the first repechage contest and was therefore eliminated from the competition.
Jack was the last of our competitors and was representing Arnold Hill Academy in the year 6/7 u46kg along with 18 other competitors, Jack did not start too well losing his first round contest which put him into the repechage where he would have to win five contests to secure a bronze. Jack did not let the loss deter him and he proceeded to dispatch his next three opponents by Waza-ari throw and hold, and then two successive Ippon throws. Two fights to go and Jack continued his winning streak winning the next contest with an early yuko score. In the bronze final Jack’s opponent looked to be injured at the start and after Jack’s first initial attack the opponent chose to withdraw as he was unable to compete. Therefore against all odds and after a first round defeat Jack triumphed and received a well-deserved Bronze.
This was an excellent event with great judo throughout, it would be great to see more of our students entering this event and representing their schools next year.