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National Acclaim for Judo Students!

On 11 October, 2 Walsall College students scooped prestigious medals at the 2009 British Judo Championships in Sheffield, which saw Great Britain’s top young sporting talent in action, with judo players from the ages of 12 – 18 years competing to earn national titles.

Joshua Hill (16) from Wolverhampton Judo Club won a silver medal in his weight category and Max Stewart (16) from Halesowen Judo Club gained the bronze in his respective weight category, both representing the Midlands. Fellow student Dale Jones (17) also competed but tragically had to pull out of the competition due to an injury sustained in the first round.

The students are currently undertaking the Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence in Judo delivered at the College, a scheme aimed at 16 to 19 year olds that allows them to develop their potential in Judo, whilst maintaining their education. Local Judo clubs from the surrounding area support the programme to assist in the development of their talented athletes.

Silver medallist Joshua Hill said, “It was a really good experience. I didn’t expect to get a medal so I was really happy to win silver. I am now going for gold and am more determined than ever for next year’s trials in January!”

Walsall College Judo Coach Dave Elmore commented “The players performed fantastically well on the day and the hours of hard training put in with their own personal club coaches and the support offered by their clubs towards the Apprenticeship programme, is obviously reaping rewards.

“What made the results more impressive was the fact that both Josh and Max are aged only 16 and were fighting in the under 18 years category, so still have 2 more years competing in this age band.

“For someone aged 16 to be studying a full time qualification, training up to 8 times per week and competing on a regular basis, both here in Great Britain and abroad, bears testimony to the hard work these young athletes put in on a daily basis”.


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