20-year-old Natasha Maslen, who lives in Easton-in-Gordano and is studying at University of Bath, is hoping to build on her outstanding season so far this year which has seen her take gold at the British University Championships and win silver and bronze medals at the British Championships in both Junior and Senior categories. She has also represented GBR at the Junior European Championships, and at a number of European Junior Cups gaining bronze in Portugal and achieving some hard-won fifth places.
Around 300 judoka aged under 21 years from all over the world are expected to compete at the Junior World Championships from 23 to 27 October in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Fighting in the under 70kg weight group, Natasha is part of a 12-strong GB squad selected by the British Judo Association.
Natasha has trained at the Tora Judo Kai club in Pill since the age of 12 and is currently a student at the University of Bath, studying for a degree in Sports Performance. She trains 6 days a week for up to 5 hours a day, and is a member of the England Talented Development Squad. Last year she has represented GBR at a number of European Cups gaining a seventh at Hungary, followed by a bronze medal at the Spanish Senior European Cup.
Natasha Maslen said, "I am really excited to be competing at my first World Championships. All the hard work I have put in over the years is finally paying off."
Natasha is a member of Tora Judo Kai, which runs clubs in Pill, Filton Abbeywood, Hanham, Kingwood, Shirehampton and Launceston in Cornwall. The club has been running for 19 years and trains over 100 children from the age of 6 years and adults in judo and ju-jitsu each week. Principal Steve Chappell said, "It’s a great club with a team of instructors who are able to facilitate its members judo requirements from beginner to competitors of the highest level. New members are welcomed into a positive and friendly environment."
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