1st March 2020, Newbiggin

A great day by the clubs more novice students at the British Judo Association Development event held at Newbiggin. With a good turnout of 150 competitors from 24 clubs, the club returned with 7 Gold, 6 Silver and 7 Bronze medals, but more importantly some fabulous Judo and great experience from a great bunch of students.

Under 8 Years
Gold - Harrison Johnson
Silver - Hayden Becksmith & Albie Davies
Bronze - Ethan Atkinson, Phillip Snowdon

16th February 2020, Newbiggin

Well done to the six Battlehill Competitors in the first North East Grand Prix competition of the year.
Ellie Hutton was on excellent form and successfully won 3 contests in the JG u57kg category to win the Gold Medal.
Keira Pentolfe defeated all of her opponents to reach the final of the JG u36kg event and had a great contest returning with a Silver medal.
Charlie Johnson in the JB u55kg lost his first contest, and then won each of his subsequent fights in the repechage culminating in one of the throws of the day to secure the Bronze medal.
Harrison Johnson, Rebecca Malcolm and Abigail Wigham had tough groups in the PB u24, JG u36 and JG u40kg categories, all growing in their experience at this level of competition which attracted 224 competitors from 30 clubs around England, Scotland and Wales. A great start to the Grand Prix events.

A full image Gallery of all photos taken during the day is available here 2020 GP1 Photos

22nd February 2020, Motherwell

Battlehill Judo Club took 4 Gold and 1 Silver medal from 5 competitors attending the Hibari Kan Open Judo competition in Motherwell, which was a Scottish Grand Prix tournament attracting 400 competitors.

Keira Pentolfe ploughed through a pool of 8 competitors in u36kg and was only defeated in the final gaining the Silver Medal.
Charlotte Kendal competed in a combined u70 and +70kg group and strongly defeated every opponent to secure the first gold medal of the day.
Ellie Hutton was on fire in the u57kg group and made all three brown belt competitors look like novices, following which she defeated all u63kg players also to gain the Gold medal and further Dan grade points.
Charlie Johnson against more experienced Judoka, was ahead in his first contest with an excellent sutemi waza but was unlucky to be defeated, and then knocked out of the group by an excellent ashi waza.
Josh Stoneman won two contests in the u66kg senior mens group and was asked to enter the u73kg category for some extra experience. Competing against stronger and mostly Dan grades, Josh had an excellent tournament winning four contests with some quality tachi waza including an exceptional Shime waza turnover which was certainly his highlight of the day, securing another Gold medal.

25th January 2020, Walsall

Battlehill Judo Club travelled to Walsall to join 321 other competitors from 109 clubs at the Midland Open Judo Championships.
Charlie Johnson took a big step up in experience at this high level event losing two and winning one contest with a strong Kesa Gatame technique.

Josh Stoneman looked on great form throwing his first opponent with Seio nage and Katagaruma techniques, he was unfortunate to be disqualified from his second and lost his third.

Ellie Hutton looked favourite to win the group after reaching the semi finals with some exceptional Judo, but lost to ne waza before throwing the bronze final opponent for ippon to return with a Bronze Medal.

Charlotte Kendal moved up a weight group, yet still managed to secure two wins from three with strong Uchi Mata and Tai Otoshi attacks to return with the Silver Medal.

A great weekend outing for the first major event of the year, with lots of great Judo on dislplay and lots of pointers to work on.