Welsh Open

Two of Burnley Judo Club.s most promising juniors took part in the recent Welsh Open competition, in Cardiff, Wales.
Stacey Cummings was first to fight of the two Burnley players, finding herself against top-class opposition from the very start. Stacey.s first contest was against the number one ranked player in the country. However, the Burnley player was undaunted and produced some of her best judo to date. The Burnley player twice escaped from hold down positions only to be counter thrown by her opponent near the end of the fight. In her second fight, Stacey was up against the number three ranked player in the country. Again the Burnley girl fought out of her skin, only to lose to a hold-down against her bigger opponent, and go out of the competition.
Michael Henry, the other Burnley representative, had an excellent day in the competition. The highly ranked Burnley player received a bye in his first fight, and can count himself very unlucky to be thrown in his second contest. However, as is always the case with the young player, he bounced back with his characteristic positive attitude in his third fight, to score a clean Ippon victory. Michael continued in this rich vein of form to produce identical results in his next two fights. In the fight for the Bronze medal, Michael lost a very evenly matched contest against his more experienced opponent.
Despite finishing out of the medals, both youngsters were buoyant following their performances in this highly ranked and prestigious event. Coach Michael Demaine was also happy with the two players and their attitudes on the judo mat, saying, .I am very pleased with their performances today, and further believe this experience will help the two youngsters develop into even better judo players.

C. Cummings. January 2004