Heart of England competition – 10th/11th September

It was another busy weekend at Walsall Campus where the first big competition of the year started. On the Saturday, Renz Vallerja competed in the boys C band in the under 55 category where there were a total of 24 competitors. Renz won 1 fight and lost 2 fights placing him in seventh place.

On the Sunday Natasha Maslen was competing in the girls D band in the under 70 category where there were a total of 12 competitors which is a big group for girls. Natasha won 3 fights and lost won. Despite Natasha being unwell, she was able to beat a rival for the first time. Natasha gained the bronze medal. Due to her being ill the week before, Natasha pulled out of the senior category.  Well done to both Renz and Natasha who, as always, showed their skill of a high standard.

All weekend Mark Maslen was there refereeing from 8am  until 7.30pm, which is a very long day to be refereeing. Like our competitors, Mark showed off his high skill at what he does and shows that Tora Judo Kai has competitors and officials. Well done Mark. 

On behalf of the players, I would like to thank Sensei Judy Maslen who coached and supported all our players the entire weekend. 

Adult beginners' 10-week course - September 2011

Thursday 22nd September to Thursday 24th November inclusive from 7 - 8pm
Pill Dojo, The Poplars, Easton in Gordano, North Somerset BS20 0DH

Tora Judo Kai is launching an adult beginners' 10-week course. The course fee of £60 includes a new judo suit, a 4-month British Judo Association membership (including insurance) and a grading at the end of the course, working towards your red belt. You don't need to have done any judo before, and it's open to men and women.

Sign up and pay online now by clicking here! Select the course 'Tora Judo Kai, Pill' from the drop-down list.

Clive Taylor Open Kata Championship

Steve Chappell and Paul Hepburn entered the Annual Clive Taylor Open Kata Championship at Samurai Judo Club in Kidderminster on Sunday 24th July. They achieved Gold Medals in the Katame no Kata and Nage no Kata sections. Great feedback was received from the examiners with the encouragement that they should be aiming for a medal placement at the British Kata Championships in September.

Changes at TJK Kingswood

Work is being done on the St Stephens Infants Hall in Kingswood. Saturday classes will temporarily move to the Hanham Dojo on the following dates:-

Hanham DoJo - Small Hall
John Wesley Memorial Church Hall
Bryant's Hill
Bristol
BS5 8QS

23rd July
30th July
6th Aug
13th Aug
20th Aug
27th Aug
3rd Sept

11am - 12 noon Judo
12 noon - 1pm Ju-Jitsu

The times will become the permanent times for the club moving forward.

West of England Open

The day after the teams, Natasha Maslen and Renz Vallerja competed at the West of England Youth and Senior Open. Natasha won her two fights giving her the gold medal in the seniors also getting some senior ranking points. Renz won two and lost two placing him in fifth. Well done to both once again.

Mark Maslen refereed again. The day before he was in Sheffield where he had an oral test where he got 20 out of 20 and to top this he was told by a senior referee that he was above average. At the West of England he showed everyone, again, that he is an amazing referee and proved that he is ready to go for his national refereeing level.

Tora Judo Kai grading results

Congratulations to everyone who graded successfully on Sunday 10th July. The new grades are as follows:

JU-JITSU
Blue Belt (2nd Kyu):
Micheal Keepin
Dave Wheeler
Andy Baker

Orange Belt (4th Kyu):
Gary Williams

Yellow Belt (5th Kyu):
Jordan Cox

White Belt (6th Kyu):
Dravan Powe

JUDO
Seniors:
Adam  Braden: Yellow belt
Michael Keepin: Green belt

Juniors:
Bailey Grimstead: Yellow
Emily Bell: White + 2 tabs
Howard Carn: Yellow
Miles Carn: Yellow
Martha Harris: White + 2 tabs
Daisy Player: White + 3 tabs
Becky Akbar: White + 3 tabs
Matthew Wise: Yellow
Liam Brailsford: Orange
Faith Byrne: Orange
Ben Ellard: Orange
Stephanie Grandon: Orange
Sam Kessler: Orange
Tom Kessler: Yellow + 2 tabs
Jack Keepin: Orange
Tom Eden Bull: Orange
Aaron Llewellin: Orange + 2 tabs
Rebecca Dawrant: Orange + 2 tabs

Competition news

Bedminster Youth and Seniors
On the 3rd of July there was another competition at Bedminster Judo Club. Natasha Maslen did a brilliant job as head referee whilst Rebecca Maslen fought in the youths gaining a gold medal.

The National Team Championships
Renz Vallejera, Natasha Maslen and Rebecca Maslen travelled to Sheffield as part of the West of Area team. Renz was selected out of many to be reserve for the Under 50 junior boys team. Rebecca was selected to fight in the Under 63 junior girls team with Natasha in Under 70s. The western area junior boys team came back with a bronze medal and so did the junior girls team.  Judy Maslen was there with the other Western Area coaching team, coaching and supporting all of the players. Well done to all of them for being selected and contributing to the great team spirit.