Competition date- 17-18th March 2012

This was my first junior European cup, and I was rather happy with my result seen as I had just moved into that age category. Being one of the youngest I placed 7th out of 45 competitors still placing higher than the other 2 British competitors, I was also placed on the European junior ranking list this helps towards being seeded at the European junior championships in September. I gained 4 points for my result. In my first fight I was up against a Spanish competitor that placed 2nd you obviously worked it out.. I lost cough cough beginners luck, for me to fight in the repêchage I had to wait around three hours for this competitor to get into the semi-finals. He finally did and in my second fight I had a Canadian that I won in 5 seconds which I was very pleased with. In my third fight I fought a Swiss which I found quite easy and won with two wazaris in about two minutes. The fourth fight I had with a Portuguese player proved to be rather challenging but I still managed to dominate throughout the fight and won. In my last fight I lost to an Israeli in ten seconds, I was very disappointed as I felt as if I had thrown the fight away hence falling over his leg. After I attended a training camp, four sessions over two days. Overall I’m happy with my result.

The English junior open was a disappointing competition for me although winning a bronze medal. My first fight was against a fighter from Ireland who I beat fairly easy and put me through to the second round were I would fight a experienced player in my weight category who I went on to beat which put me through to the semi finals.

The semi final saw me face one of the top fighters in my weight category and 3 years older than me, the fight started well and stayed that way for a couple of minutes until I was thrown for full points and lost the match.

My next fight was for the bronze medal and against a player from Moldova which I won comfortably an won the bronze medal.

Sunday 8th April- Wednesday 11th April

Really hard training camp, lots of running and randori, absolutely shattered. Off to Estonia on the 13th to compete in the European Junior cup on the 14th of April, will report back as soon as I’m home.

April 13th-15th 2012.

Back from Estonia, pretty hard comp, won a bronze in the under 60kg category. My first fight was with an Estonian that’s a year older than me, he had caught me quite early on in the fight so I had to get the score equal, I did so and we went to flags, I lost and the same boy went on to win.

My second fight was with a Finish, I beat him by holding him down in the first minute, pretty easy fight.

Third fight was with a Swiss, I won by throwing my competitor for a wazari and then another wazari. I have earned 20 more ranking points for the European cup championships.

The hotel I stayed in was nice, good weather.