The Bradley Stoke Journal

Two Bradley Stoke Judo Club players have won the top two medals in their categories at the prestigious 2012 Commonwealth Judo Championships, held yesterday (Tuesday 24th January) at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff.

The players, Steph Walker and Lele Nairne (both just 14 years of age), won first the silver medal and then Lele bagged the gold and title of ‘Commonwealth Judo Champion’.

Commenting on their performance, Club Coach Pete Douglas said:

“The selection process for this championship started months ago when the best players England had to offer gathered to fight it out to distinguish the top athletes to represent England in this truly international event.”

“These two players proved themselves to be true titans in judo and right at the very top of their game. They are a credit to the club and South West and I know will shortly be going on to represent England again at other internationals at the very highest level.”

More: Youngsters are also members of the England elite squad »

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A coach at Bradley Stoke Judo Club (BSJC) has achieved the prestigious 5th Dan grade following an outstanding performance at a big tournament last weekend.

Three Bradley Stoke Judo Club coaches were in action at the Samurai High Grades and Masters Competition in Kidderminster. Pete Douglas, Nick Brace and BSJC’s newest addition to the coaching team, Trevor King, all went there looking for points towards their next grades.

Five times British Champion Pete Douglas had not fought for over a year due to injury and other commitments. He had a massive 13 fights on the day. After a slow start, he came back to win ten fights, all of them with the maximum score – earning himself a total of 60 points and, more impressively, his 5th Dan, the highest grade that can be achieved as a fighter.

Nick Brace co-started the club back in 1999 along with Steve Westlake. Nick, who won his fourth British title in a row this year, had three fights at the weekend, earning himself 30 points, and that was enough to earn him a very well deserved 4th Dan.

And finally, Trevor King had ten fights, winning five of them with the maximum score, a result that gained him 50 points towards his next grade, 4th Dan.

BSJC’s Gem Gale told The Journal:

“Pete is the first ever 5th Dan at Bradley Stoke Judo Club, and we are all very proud of him.”

More: Club welcomes new members of all shapes and sizes »

Young fighters from Bradley Stoke Judo Club finished off a remarkable year of achievement with Louis Arsac, Pete Miles and Stephanie Walker winning two Gold medals and one Bronze medal at the British National Judo Championships for 12 to 18-year-olds in Sheffield [full results].

Their outstanding success brings the club’s haul of national medals won this year to ten – their best yet.

Coaches Nick Brace (35) and Pete Douglas (47), who both won Gold medals at the British National Masters Championships this year, said:

“We are exceptionally proud of all our competitors.  To compete at the very highest level in the country and come away with medals is a great personal triumph for the individuals and an inspiration to all the younger members of the club.  Everyone has worked extremely hard and had a lot of fun as well.”

Read more about the club’s medal-winning achievements in 2010 »

Athletes from Bradley Stoke Judo Club proved they were amongst the best in the country by winning two silver and one bronze medals at the British National Judo Championships on Sunday 19th September.

The event, held at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre in London, saw the best 10 and 11-year-olds in Britain compete for Judo medals in their respective age and weight categories.

Competition was fierce and all five Bradley Stoke Judo fighters had to dig deep and show tremendous courage and skill to compete at national level.

Head coach Pete Douglas said:

“This is the first time Bradley Stoke Judo club has competed at this event and we are exceptionally proud of all of the fighters that went along to the competition. They are an inspiration to the growing number of youngsters we have coming through the ranks. Very well done to them all.”

Read on for details of the National Championships medal winners »