Members of a flourishing judo club from Grays recently showcased their skills at two prestigious competitions, highlighting the club’s dedication and talent. The participants from Yamaguchi Goju-Kai Karate-Do competed at the British Championships held at the Ponds Forge Arena in Sheffield and the English International Open at the Crystal Palace Sports Complex.
Under the guidance of Shihan Mark Adams, a 7th Dan master in judo, the club experienced remarkable success. Shihan Adams shared with Nub News, “We performed exceptionally well at the British Championships, securing four golds, two silvers, and two bronze medals. Competing against 61 clubs, we finished third on the medal table, which is an incredible achievement for a club of our size.”
The results from the British Championships in Sheffield were impressive. In the gold medal category, Michael Barber and Tomas Gudaitis excelled in the Pairs Kata event, while Barber also took gold in the Para Kata category. Additionally, Eva Barts and Talia Graves, along with Nila Chuhan in the Super Vet division, contributed to the club’s gold medal tally.
Silver medals were awarded to Daniel Barber in the Para event and to the team comprising Michael Barber, Sammi Hadzic, and Tomas Gudaitis in Team Kata. The club also celebrated bronze medal victories with Eva Barts in Kumite and Nila Chauhan in Vets Kata.
Building on this success, the club participated in the EKF International Open at Crystal Palace, where they once again delivered stellar performances. “The results were fantastic,” Shihan Adams noted. “We came away with two gold medals and three silver medals, showcasing the hard work and dedication of our members.”
Leya Barts shone brightly, earning a gold medal in the Kata event and a silver in Kumite. Tomas Gudaitis also made his mark, winning gold in the Kata competition. The club’s other silver medalists included Troy Borges and Annie Alderton, both excelling in Kata.
Shihan Adams received positive feedback from the national Kata coach during the event, and he was pleased to share that the National Kumite coach reached out to invite Leya Barts to trials for the national Kumite squad. This recognition is a testament to the commitment and effort put forth by the athletes.
The achievements of the Grays club at these two major events underscore the strength and talent within their ranks, reflecting the hard work of both the students and their instructors. As they continue to excel in competitions, the future looks bright for the Yamaguchi Goju-Kai Karate-Do club. Their recent performances not only enhance their reputation in the judo community but also inspire the next generation of martial artists to strive for excellence.
